The Maiden Heist

The Maiden Heist

Year: 2009

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Peter Hewitt

ComedyCrimeCrude humor and satireGags jokes and slapstick humorFunny jokes and crude humor

They’re not villains, just unlucky thieves. In this comedy, three museum security guards grow attached to the artworks they protect and, when the pieces are slated for transfer to another museum, they hatch a clever plan to steal them back, leading to a series of humorous mishaps and daring antics.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Maiden Heist (2009)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Maiden Heist (2009). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Set in contemporary times within a modern museum environment, the story unfolds over a short, tightly timed sequence. The plan relies on real-world shipping routes and warehouse logistics rather than elaborate technologies. The action shifts from a U.S. museum to a Florida vacation and a Copenhagen-bound shipment, all in present-day surroundings.

Location

United States art museum, Copenhagen, Denmark, Florida

The primary setting is a contemporary art museum in the United States where Roger becomes obsessed with The Lonely Maiden. A secondary setting centers on a Copenhagen-bound shipment of artworks and the warehouse where replicas are crafted. Florida serves as the couple's vacation dream that becomes a plot point when funds are tapped to pay for the replica work. The story moves from domestic life to international art-world stakes, with the warehouse as a tense linchpin.

🏛️ Museum 🎨 Art World 🗺️ International

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:12

Main Characters – The Maiden Heist (2009)

Meet the key characters of The Maiden Heist (2009), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Roger Barlow (Christopher Walken)

A museum security guard whose growing fixation on The Lonely Maiden blurs the line between admiration and possession. His obsession strains his marriage to Rose as he clings to a dream that may jeopardize his job. He funds the plan by secretly taking Rose's Florida vacation savings to pay for the replica. On the surface, Roger retires from the job along with his partners, and Rose remains none the wiser.

🧠 Obsession 💔 Marriage Strain

Charles Peterson (Morgan Freeman)

A fellow guard who is also a painter; his artistic talent helps craft the cat painting replica. He aids in planning the heist and provides a steady, crafty approach to execution. He ultimately fails to capture The Lonely Maiden in his painting but contributes to the success of the swap. He remains a loyal, level-headed collaborator throughout the scheme.

🧭 Planner 🎯 Precision

George McLendon (William H. Macy)

A guard who openly adores the nude sculpture of a Greek warrior and uses his body as part of the museum’s odd ritual. He actively participates in swapping the original artworks for replicas and even hides in a shipping crate after the swap. His impulsive nature fuels the plan’s risk and dark humor. He shares the thrill of the con with the others while keeping the operation moving.

🗺️ Heist 🔥 Impulsiveness

Rose Barlow (Marcia Gay Harden)

Roger's wife who wants him to retire so they can move to Florida; she grows suspicious of Roger’s late-night shifts and the secrecy around the shipments. Her doubt acts as a moral counterpoint to the criminals, pushing Roger toward reinvention of self and relationship. In the end, she remains unaware of the specifics of the theft as the couple rekindles their love on a Florida trip.

💖 Marriage 🕊️ Trust

Shipping Supervisor (Naheem Garcia)

A logistics-minded staffer responsible for tagging and tracking the artworks being shipped. He becomes a functional ally to the plan, enabling the crew to coordinate the shipment and handoffs. His role anchors the operation in real-world shipping practices, adding a layer of plausibility to the heist.

⚙️ Logistics 💬 Coordination

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:12

Major Themes – The Maiden Heist (2009)

Explore the central themes of The Maiden Heist (2009), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧠 Obsession

Roger's fixation on The Lonely Maiden propels the narrative, blurring lines between appreciation and possession. George's fixation on the nude sculpture shows how art can consume observers as well. The film uses obsession to explore what people will do to possess or protect art and personal fulfillment.

🗝️ Heist

Three guards orchestrate a plan to swap originals with replicas; The plan tests trust and ethics. They operate with cunning and caution, relying on timing and teamwork. The heist culminates in a retirement that leaves the art—and the truth—hidden in plain sight.

💑 Marriage

Rose's suspicion strains the marriage as Roger's obsession pulls him away from domestic life. The plan tests loyalty and communication between husband and wife. In the end, the couple rediscovers each other, choosing love over obsession while concealing the stolen fate from plain sight.

🖼️ Art vs Copy

The trio's swap centers on whether an artwork's value lies in the original or the story surrounding it. The Copenhagen guard's reaction to a copy suggests perception matters as much as authenticity. The film uses copies to question the meaning and ownership of art.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:12

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The Maiden Heist Summary

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The Maiden Heist Summary

The Maiden Heist Timeline

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The Maiden Heist Timeline

The Maiden Heist Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Maiden Heist Spoiler-Free Summary

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