Masterminds is a 1997 American action comedy film directed by Roger Christian, written by Floyd Byers and starring Patrick Stewart, Vincent Kartheiser, Brenda Fricker, Brad Whitford, and Matt Craven.

[4] It tells the story of a computer engineering prodigy who matches wits with a security consultant who has taken over his stepsister's school that he used to go to as a ransom is demanded for their release.

Oswald "Ozzie" Paxton is a computer engineering prodigy and expert hacker whose actions often have his father Jake threatening to send him to military school if he does not shape up.

In the process, Jake discovers the illicit download and Helen punishes Ozzie, making him take Melissa to her private school Shady Glen.

As a concession, Bentley releases most of the children, but keeps the ten richest like Melissa and demands a very large ransom for their return.

He attempts to stop the ransom payment, but finds out too late that the man designated to deliver it named Foster Deroy was actually Bentley's confederate.