Identity Thief
Identity Thief Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 10, 2026
Movie Overview: Identity Thief
| Movie | Identity Thief |
| Release Year | 2013 |
| Director | Seth Gordon |
| Genre | Comedy / Crime |
| Runtime | 111 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Identity Thief (2013) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Identity Thief are led by Jason Bateman . The supporting cast, including Melissa McCarthy and Jon Favreau , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While Identity Thief does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Comedy films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Identity Thief has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Comedy fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Identity Thief
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2013, Identity Thief is a Comedy, Crime film directed by Seth Gordon. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jason Bateman.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. When a mild-mannered businessman learns his identity has been stolen, he hits the road in an attempt to foil the thief -- a trip that puts him in the path of a deceptively harmless-looking woman. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: Identity Thief
Identity Thief Ending Explained: Directed by Seth Gordon, Identity Thief attempts to bring together the film’s narrative threads. The ending highlights the core comedy themes developed throughout the film.
The conclusion reflects the central themes explored throughout the narrative, particularly in scenes involving Jason Bateman. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the comedy themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Identity Thief reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Identity Thief Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Identity Thief Based on a True Story?
Identity Thief draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. As a comedy, crime film directed by Seth Gordon, the production explores how real events can be adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: Identity Thief uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch Identity Thief?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Identity Thief
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $35.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $174.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Identity Thief Budget
The estimated production budget for Identity Thief is $35.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Identity Thief
All Cast & Crew →





































Where to Watch Identity Thief Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Netflix🎟️ Rent on
Hungama Play
Amazon VideoIdentity Thief Parents Guide & Age Rating
2013 AdvisoryWondering about Identity Thief age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Identity Thief is 111 minutes (1h 51m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.9/10, and global performance metrics, Identity Thief is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2013 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Identity Thief worth watching?
Identity Thief is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.9/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Identity Thief parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Identity Thief identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Identity Thief?
The total duration of Identity Thief is 111 minutes, which is approximately 1h 51m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Identity Thief
How Identity Thief Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Identity Thief
Friends don't steal friends' identities, do they? While not quite the abomination that some critics have suggested it is, Identity Thief is a hard film to recommend to film fans looking for a comedy to cheer them up. Too long at just under two hours length, the makers appear to have dropped Melissa McCarthy in the middle of a film, built a load of questionable on going gags around her, and then thrown Jason Bateman in for the charm offensive. Then as the film runs out of steam at the mid-point, it gets caught in a vortex of contrivances and pseudo serious statements. It's a real hodge-podge of a script that does the actors no favours at all. A great premise is not fulfilled, sadly. Identity Thief only escapes bottom of the ladder status because fans of the two leads will find a modicum of enjoyment in their respective efforts. 5/10
Good watch, probably won't watch again, and can recommend. This actually reminds me a lot of "Bounty Hunter", but with distinct elements of "Guest House" and "The Hustle". It's honestly disturbing to me to see the anatomy of a sociopath laid out in a movie like this, but it does thoroughly example both what it is like to have your identity stolen and the kind of monsters that do that sort of thing. Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy are both top notch comedic actors, but some of the scenes were a little hammy, even for them. A lot of the movie sort of feels like a VERY long SNL sketch where people are going, "Wouldn't this be funny?" and someone always went, "Yeah, put that in, why not?". It's not that it's not good, but it could have been great.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with Jason Bateman










