Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy clash in Identity Thief, a wild action comedy full of laughs and sharp social satire. Now one of the world’s most-watched films, it’s a rollercoaster of scams, twists, and unexpected redemption.
A box office hit in the USA, the film cemented Melissa McCarthy as the queen of contemporary American comedy and Jason Bateman, who currently also stars on Netflix in Carry-On and Black Rabbit, as one of the most versatile actors. Here’s everything you need to know about Identity Thief — from the plot and cast to reviews and release date. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
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Identity Thief – all the key details
- Title: Identity Thief
- Genre: Comedy, Action
- Country of Production: United States
- Original Language: English
- Year of Production: 2013
- Duration: 111 minutes
- Director: Seth Gordon
- Main Cast: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy, Amanda Peet, Jon Favreau, Robert Patrick
- Production: Universal Pictures, Relativity Media
- Netflix Release Date: October 2025
What Identity Thief is about
Sandy Bigelow Patterson (Jason Bateman) is an ordinary man, a family father and model employee in Colorado. His life runs smoothly until he discovers that someone in Florida has stolen his identity and is emptying his bank accounts, leaving him on the brink of collapse. Determined to clear his name, Sandy sets out in search of the scammer (Melissa McCarthy), a woman as ruthless as she is irresistibly chaotic. The journey that follows turns the chase into a wild American odyssey, filled with misunderstandings, chases, and moments of surprising humanity.
The cast of Identity Thief
Jason Bateman confirms his skill in bringing depth to the “ordinary man in crisis” roles, while Melissa McCarthy steals the show with an exuberant, physical, and irresistible performance that moves from farce to the most genuine tenderness. The chemistry between the two carries the entire film, supported by luxury supporting actors like Amanda Peet and Jon Favreau. McCarthy received an MTV Movie Awards nomination for “Best Comedic Performance”, a sign of the character’s popular impact.
Our review
Beneath the surface of a hilarious comedy, Identity Thief hides a subtle reflection on identity, consumerism, and the fragility of the American Dream. Seth Gordon orchestrates a road movie with rhythm and intelligence that alternates pure comedic chaos with moments of melancholy. Critics were divided at the time, but audiences rewarded the film with over $175 million worldwide at the box office, turning it into a small commercial phenomenon. Now, revisited on Netflix, it retains the flavor of a social comedy that blends laughter with a sense of disenchantment.
Behind the scenes of the film
The scenes between Bateman and McCarthy were largely improvised, following a tradition of “on-set” comedy dear to the director of Bridesmaids. The idea was born from a real wave of identity theft cases in the United States, a theme that in the film becomes a metaphor for modern alienation.
Filmed across Colorado, Florida, and Georgia, Identity Thief is also an ironic portrait of post-economic crisis in America.
Is it based on a true story?
No, the film is not based on a true story. It is an original script written by Craig Mazin (future creator of Chernobyl and The Last of Us), inspired by news reports on the rise of digital identity thefts.
When to watch the movie on Netflix
Identity Thief has been available on Netflix since October 2025 ► Watch Identity Thief on Netflix
