Image credit: United Artists Releasing
The Great Netflix Caper: The Hustle Escapes
In a shocking twist more unexpected than your aunt joining TikTok, Anne Hathaway’s 2019 comedy The Hustle is preparing to depart Netflix’s library. Yes, this female-led heist comedy is saying its goodbyes starting March 12, 2026—just in time for you to wonder why you didn’t watch it three years sooner.
This cinematic jewel is a remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, a classic that once featured Steve Martin and Michael Caine in a battle of wits. Adding a modern twist, this version is like taking that same classic and tossing in a dash of female empowerment, a sprinkle of chaos, and a heaping scoop of ‘why not?’
Meet the Dynamic Duo of Deceit
Enter Josephine and Penny, two con artists who meet while travelling to the French Riviera. Spoiler alert: they do not bond over their mutual love for sunbathing or the local cuisine. Instead, Josephine promptly throws Penny under the bus—well, not literally, but close enough—by having her arrested after Penny pulls a fast one on her target.
Eventually, Josephine pays Penny’s bail, proving that friendship is about second chances and cash flow. Together, they lay their differences aside—kind of like political parties during a budget meeting—and embark on a quest to con a naïve tech billionaire named Thomas Westerburg. One can only imagine the sheer joy of outsmarting a billionaire while being utterly broke yourself.
Star-Studded Cast: Comedy Gold or Coal?
The film boasts a stellar cast, featuring the comedic talents of Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson, with a supporting lineup that includes Dean Norris from Breaking Bad and Rob Delaney, who we presume was simply available that week. The question of whether this ensemble delivers laugh-out-loud moments or just mild chuckles is still up for debate.
Originally dubbed “Nasty Women” (Oh, the marketing potential!), the movie underwent a name change to something a bit more mainstream—because what screams ‘smart comedy’ like an ambiguous one-word title? It’s as if the film is daring us to expect a masterpiece.
Box Office & Critic Reviews: The Numbers Game
If you’re keeping score, this caper garnered a brisk $97 million against a $21 million budget. Not quite a blockbuster, but hey, it’s like winning the ‘best mediocre’ award at the film festival. Critics, however, were less kind, branding it with a lowly 13% on Rotten Tomatoes. One can only assume their reviews were written under duress at the local coffee shop.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let it Slip Away!
So, as we bid farewell to The Hustle, a film that tried—and arguably failed—to capture the whimsical charm of female friendship and con artistry, remember this: it’s leaving Netflix soon, and unlike good friends, this movie won’t return. Catch it while you can, unless of course, you prefer saving two hours of your life for enduring dramatic reenactments of your cat ignoring you.
Originally reported by Harsha Panduranga on ComingSoon, this article serves as a friendly reminder that some cinematic experiences are better left in the past—or at least in the confines of your streaming queue.
