The con artists of film and television are as intelligent as they are wily. With one smooth sleight of hand, they can take you for all you’re worth with a smile on their face. So why do we love them? They pull us into an exciting game of cat and mouse from the comfort of our own homes. We get to be a part of the danger without any repercussions. So guard your wallet as we take a look at some of our favorite on-screen female con artists.
This post was brought to you by TNT’s Good Behavior. Watch TV’s newest con artist, Letty, in the two-episode series premiere on November 15 at 9/8c.
‘The Grifters’ (1990): Myra Langtry & Lilly Dillon
Myra Langtry (Annette Bening) in The Grifters was as unpredictable as she was intelligent, a terrifying combination, especially when on the grift. Of course, we couldn’t include Myra Langtry on this list without also including Lilly Dillon from the same film. Anjelica Huston took on the role and marveled audiences with her performance, which was maybe even more impressive than Lilly’s cons.
‘The Catch’ (2016): Margot Bishop
Leave it to Shonda Rhimes to give television the con woman it had been waiting for. Margot may not have been the leading lady of The Catch, but her cons definitely stole the show.
‘Focus’ (2015): Jess
OK, OK, OK so Focus‘ Jess (Margot Robbie) may not have been the best con in the world, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t a worthy femme fatale. The pairing between Robbie and Will Smith was fire.
‘American Hustle’ (2013): Sydney Prosser
One of the greatest con films of modern times, American Hustle‘s Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) has definitely earned her spot of this list. In fact, the character of Sydney is based off of real life con artist Evelyn Knight, who was known for her involvement in the Abscam sting operation in the 1970s.
‘The Lady Eve’ (1941): Jean
One of the first portrayals of a female con artist on film, 1941’s The Lady Eve tells the story of con artist Jean (Barbara Stanwyck), who goes after the wealthy Charles Pike for his fortune. The only problem is she unexpectedly falls for her mark.
‘Sylvia Scarlett’ (1935): Sylvia
In Sylvia Scarlett, con artist Sylvia (Katharine Hepburn) pretends to be a boy in order to evade police. The film was a major flop, initially, because it’s suspected that the sexual politics in the plot were too ahead of the times.
Heartbreakers (2001): Max & Page
Jennifer Love Hewitt and Sigourney Weaver are the perfect mother-daughter duo as con artists Max and Page Conners in this screwball comedy. These women are too good at getting what they want, especially when they want it from rich older men.
‘Ocean’s Eleven’ (2001): Tess Ocean
Though Ocean’s Eleven is mostly a boys’ game, Tess (Julia Roberts) definitely gets her fair share of the fun. She has a subtle con of her own going, and her true game is only revealed at the end of the film.
‘Confidence’ (2003): Lily
Lily (Rachel Weisz) rounds out the con artist foursome in Confidence as the only woman on the team, though she is maybe the smartest of the lot. The con in this one is better watched than explained but, suffice it to say, it’s a smart one.
‘The Sting’ (1973): Loretta
The most classic con film of all time is known for frontmen Robert Redford and Paul Newman in the starring roles, but that doesn’t mean women didn’t play their part. Loretta shows up as a waitress from a local restaurant but there’s way more to her than meets the eye.
Female con artists
Don’t forget to pin this list for later!
Leave a Comment