The Stand-In Thief (2017)
A reformed thief, a forced burglary, and a mansion full of people who think he's someone else — Japan's funniest case of mistaken identity.
The Stand-In Thief - Movie Information
- Original Title: 泥棒役者
- Release Year: 2017
- Directed by: Masafumi Nishida
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 54m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 18, 2017 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Dorobō Yakusha (JP)
- Production Companies: Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation, J Storm, Robot Communications, Sony Music Entertainment (Japan)
- Production Countries: Japan
The Stand-In Thief - Plot
Hajime Onuki (Ryuhei Maruyama) was a thief, but he now works as a welder and lives happily with his girlfriend. Hajime Onuki is threatened by a former partner in crime. He forces Hajime Onuki to break into the mansion of a picture book writer to steal. He is caught by others while in the act, but they keep mistaking him for someone else. Hajime desperately keeps up the ruse to not get caught.
The Stand-In Thief - Trailer
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The Stand-In Thief - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Masafumi Nishida
Main Cast
- Ryuhei Maruyama
- Masachika Ichimura
- Yusuke Santamaria
- Anna Ishibashi
- Mitsuki Takahata
- Miyagawa Daisuke
- Jin Katagiri
- Rie Minemura
- Atsuko Hirata
- Chad Mullane
Writers
- Masafumi Nishida
Producers
- Shigeyuki Komatsu
- Toshihisa Ohata
The Stand-In Thief - FAQs
What is The Stand-In Thief about?
The Stand-In Thief follows Hajime Onuki, a reformed thief living quietly with his girlfriend, who gets dragged back into crime by a former accomplice. Forced to break into a picture book writer's mansion, he's caught in the act — but everyone keeps mistaking him for someone else, leading to a chain of frantic, funny deceptions.
Who plays the lead role in The Stand-In Thief?
Ryuhei Maruyama takes the lead as Hajime Onuki, the reluctant thief at the heart of the story. He's joined by Masachika Ichimura, Yusuke Santamaria, Anna Ishibashi, and Mitsuki Takahata, among others, in this ensemble Japanese comedy.
How does the mistaken identity comedy unfold in the film?
Once Hajime is caught mid-burglary, the residents of the mansion consistently mistake him for someone else entirely. Rather than confess, he desperately plays along, and the situation snowballs into an increasingly absurd series of misunderstandings — the classic engine driving this fast-paced, farcical comedy.
Who directed The Stand-In Thief?
The Stand-In Thief was directed by Masafumi Nishida, who also wrote the screenplay. Nishida is well known in Japan for crafting sharp, character-driven comedies, and this film showcases his talent for building escalating situational humor around a likable, flawed protagonist.
When was The Stand-In Thief released in Japan?
The Stand-In Thief opened in Japanese cinemas on November 18, 2017. The film was produced with the support of several major Japanese entertainment companies, including Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, J Storm, and Sony Music Entertainment Japan.
How long is The Stand-In Thief?
The film runs for 114 minutes, or just under two hours. That runtime gives the story plenty of room to build its comedic momentum, letting the mistaken-identity chaos escalate naturally before reaching its inevitable, farcical conclusion.
What are some movies similar to The Stand-In Thief?
If you enjoy The Stand-In Thief, you might love A Bad Idea Gone Wrong, Lootcase, or The Wrong Guy — all comedies built around bumbling criminals and comic misfortune. Lupin III: The First and The Castle of Cagliostro also offer fun, lighter takes on the gentleman-thief premise.
Is The Stand-In Thief based on a true story?
No, The Stand-In Thief is not based on a true story. It's an original comedy written by director Masafumi Nishida, built around the well-loved premise of mistaken identity. The film is a work of pure fiction designed to entertain through escalating situational humor and character-driven laughs.
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