Matchstick Men (released in theaters on September 12, 2003) is a remarkably nimble and emotionally resonant caper film that stands as one of Ridley Scott’s most underrated works. Eschewing the grand scale of his historical epics, Scott delivers an intimate, character-driven story that functions as both a high-stakes “long con” thriller and a poignant domestic drama.
The film is a tonal tightrope walk, blending dark comedy with genuine psychological depth, anchored by a career-best performance from Nicolas Cage that finds the humanity within a sea of tics and anxieties.
Roy Waller (Cage) is a highly skilled but severely neurotic con artist living in Los Angeles.
Plagued by Tourette’s syndrome, agoraphobia, and a crippling fear of germs, Roy thrives on a strict routine of obsessive cleaning and “matchstick” cons—small-time scams he pulls off with his ambitious, fast-talking partner, Frank Mercer (Sam Rockwell).
Their latest scheme involves a lucrative fake lottery scam targeting a wealthy mark named Chuck Frechette (Bruce McGill), orchestrated with the help of a shady associate.
Roy also spends time meeting with his therapist (Bruce Altman).
Roy’s orderly, if tortured, existence is upended when he seeks help for his worsening symptoms and discovers he has a fourteen-year-old daughter, Angela (Alison Lohman), from a past relationship.
When Angela unexpectedly enters his life, Roy is forced to balance his criminal activities with his newfound fatherly instincts.
To his surprise, Angela is fascinated by his “work” and begs him to teach her the trade. Against his better judgment, Roy brings her into a high-stakes con against Frechette.
However, as the line between his professional deception and his personal life blurs, Roy discovers that the world of the con is far more complex and treacherous than he imagined.
The narrative builds to a series of shocking revelations that challenge Roy’s perception of trust, forcing him to decide if he can ever truly leave the “short con” behind for a chance at a real life.
Jenny O’Hara and Sheila Kelley round out the cast.
Matchstick Men (Photo/Warner Bros.)
Reception for Matchstick Men
Matchstick Men grossed $13.1 million on its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office, trailing Once Upon a Time in Mexico, which earned $23.4 million on its debut weekend.
The film would gross $65.6 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave Matchstick Men four out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
The legacy of Matchstick Men is defined by its sophisticated subversion of the heist genre and its celebration of nuanced acting. It is remembered for Cage’s disciplined yet explosive performance, which remains a favorite among fans for its balance of comedic timing and raw vulnerability.
The movie is noted for Scott’s uncharacteristic restraint, proving his versatility as a director who can craft tension in a suburban living room just as effectively as on a battlefield.
Hans Zimmer’s whimsical, Italian-inspired score remains a standout, perfectly capturing the film’s unique blend of melancholy and mischief.
While it was well-received by critics upon release, it has grown in stature as a cult favorite, praised for its emotional honesty and its status as one of the most clever, heart-centered thrillers of the 2000s.
