How to Watch The Steal on Netflix in the US with a VPN (2026)

The Steal (1995) is listed on Netflix in the United Kingdom as of November 14, 2026. Directed by John Hay, this British crime comedy stars Alfred Molina, Helen Slater, Peter Bowles, and Stephen Fry. The story follows a lawyer and an American computer hacker who attempt to expose a property developer’s fraudulent dealings. Netflix maintains an active UK movie page for The Steal, and JustWatch UK also lists the movie on Netflix.

The Steal does not currently appear in the Netflix US catalog. American viewers can find the movie through other streaming services, but Netflix UK provides another regional listing. Private Internet Access (PIA), ExpressVPN, and NordVPN all offer UK VPN server locations. These services can establish connections with British IP addresses, although a UK VPN connection does not automatically grant access to Netflix’s British catalog.

Netflix may recognize VPN traffic and restrict the available movies to titles with worldwide streaming rights. Consequently, connecting to a British server does not guarantee that The Steal will appear or play. Netflix also prohibits VPN connections on ad-supported plans. Review Netflix’s official VPN guidance and the relevant VPN provider’s terms before proceeding.

How to watch The Steal on Netflix with a VPN

Netflix UK lists The Steal, but access from the United States depends on Netflix’s licensing arrangements, VPN detection, subscription restrictions, and service terms. The following steps explain how to check a UK VPN connection and determine whether Netflix permits playback.

1. Choose a VPN provider. Private Internet Access ranks first in this comparison, followed by ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Review each provider’s streaming restrictions before using the connection.
2. Download and install the VPN application from its official website. Open the application and sign in using your existing VPN credentials.
3. Connect to the United Kingdom. Choose an officially documented UK location, such as London or Manchester, or use a suitable streaming-optimized connection when the provider’s terms permit it.
4. Fully close Netflix. Exit the application or close every Netflix browser tab to end the previous session.
5. Reopen Netflix after the VPN establishes its connection. Check that the VPN application reports an active UK server connection.
6. Sign in to your existing Netflix account. Connecting to a VPN does not automatically change your account, subscription, billing information, or password.
7. Search for The Steal. Choose the 1995 British crime comedy starring Alfred Molina and Helen Slater rather than another similarly named movie.
8. Start playback if Netflix displays the movie and permits access under your subscription and applicable service terms.

The British Netflix listing identifies The Steal as a comedy thriller with English original audio. Its listed subtitles include English, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, and Portuguese. The movie runs approximately 91 minutes.

Before opening Netflix, you can review the official Netflix UK listing to confirm the film’s identity. The movie follows Cliff, a lawyer played by Alfred Molina, and Kim, a hacker played by Helen Slater, as they investigate financial wrongdoing connected to an island development.

A visible Netflix UK page and a matching JustWatch listing support regional availability, but neither guarantees access through a VPN from the United States. Netflix can limit the catalog when it identifies VPN traffic.

Best VPNs for watching The Steal on Netflix

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN maintain UK server networks with different location choices, connection protocols, and streaming features. The following comparison uses their officially documented UK locations.

VPN	Server locations in the UK	Option to try first
Private Internet Access (Editor’s Choice)	UK London, UK Manchester, UK Southampton, UK Tottenham, UK Streaming Optimized	UK Streaming Optimized for permitted local streaming, or UK London for a standard connection
ExpressVPN	UK Docklands, UK East London, UK London, UK Manchester, UK Midlands, UK Tottenham, UK Wembley	UK London or UK Docklands
NordVPN	Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Manchester; 821 advertised UK servers	Automatic UK server selection or London

These locations reflect the providers’ published documentation in November 2026. Server availability can change. VPN server coverage does not guarantee that Netflix will allow subscribers to access The Steal or any other regionally licensed movie.

1. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is the Editor’s Choice because it offers several British server locations, a dedicated UK streaming-optimized option, and configurable WireGuard and OpenVPN connections. These features provide flexibility for protecting internet activity and streaming content when the user has permission to access it.

According to PIA’s official server directory, the United Kingdom has five selectable entries: UK London, UK Manchester, UK Southampton, UK Tottenham, and UK Streaming Optimized.

UK Streaming Optimized is the specialized option for streaming activity that complies with the provider’s terms. PIA designs its streaming-optimized connections for stable access to supported services, but the company does not guarantee that they will reveal every title in the Netflix UK catalog.

To connect, open the PIA application and select the VPN SERVER section. Search for United Kingdom, London, or another listed location. Choose the appropriate entry and activate the VPN connection.

PIA’s official streaming instructions explain how users can find specialized locations by searching for the word streaming. The company directs subscribers to select a streaming server in the country where they are physically located.

For ordinary UK connections, London offers a sensible starting point. Manchester, Southampton, and Tottenham provide additional choices for comparing connection quality and server congestion. Users should select a location that matches their permitted activity rather than assuming every British server will provide identical results.

PIA supports both WireGuard and OpenVPN. WireGuard uses a relatively lightweight protocol design that can help reduce connection overhead. OpenVPN provides an established alternative when network restrictions or compatibility problems interfere with a connection.

Users can switch protocols through the application’s Settings menu. Select Protocols, choose WireGuard or OpenVPN, and reconnect. PIA’s connection troubleshooting guide provides these instructions for desktop and mobile devices.

Connection quality also depends on the subscriber’s internet speed, Wi-Fi reliability, server congestion, and the distance between the device and the selected server. A connection between the United States and Britain generally involves longer network routes than a nearby American VPN connection.

Changing from OpenVPN to WireGuard may improve efficiency on some networks, but the improvement depends on the device and connection conditions. A faster protocol cannot eliminate every delay associated with international routing.

PIA also distinguishes physical servers from virtual server locations. With virtual locations, a VPN provides an IP address assigned to one country while physically hosting the server in another.

Its virtual server documentation does not identify the United Kingdom among its virtual country locations. However, PIA does not publicly identify the exact physical address of every individual UK server, so users should not assume specific hardware addresses beyond its documentation.

PIA recommends clearing browser cookies and cached data when websites fail to load correctly. The company also suggests updating the application, disconnecting and reconnecting, and checking whether another server improves ordinary connection stability.

These troubleshooting steps can resolve stale sessions and connectivity problems. They do not override Netflix’s regional licensing restrictions or guarantee that The Steal will become available through a British VPN connection.

An important restriction applies to PIA’s streaming features. The company explicitly prohibits using its VPN to circumvent geographic restrictions imposed by content providers. Therefore, PIA’s first-place ranking reflects its documented UK network, protocol flexibility, and privacy features rather than permission to bypass Netflix’s regional licensing rules.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN ranks second with seven officially documented UK locations and support for several modern VPN protocols. Its British network offers multiple London-area choices alongside Manchester and the Midlands.

According to the ExpressVPN server directory, the available entries include UK Docklands, UK East London, UK London, UK Manchester, UK Midlands, UK Tottenham, and UK Wembley.

UK London is a practical starting point for a standard connection. Docklands and East London provide alternatives within the capital, while Manchester and the Midlands offer additional geographic choices.

To connect, open ExpressVPN and access its server-location selector. Search for United Kingdom or browse the UK entries. Choose the preferred location and establish the VPN connection.

ExpressVPN also provides Smart Location, an automatic server-selection feature. Smart Location considers factors including download speed, latency, and distance. However, it does not necessarily choose the United Kingdom, so users who specifically require a British IP address should select a UK server manually.

ExpressVPN’s UK locations support Lightway UDP, Lightway TCP, WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, and IKEv2, subject to device and application compatibility.

Lightway is ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol, designed for efficient encrypted connections and stability when network conditions change. WireGuard offers another modern connection method, while OpenVPN remains useful for compatibility and troubleshooting.

ExpressVPN recommends Automatic protocol selection for most users. The application can choose an appropriate protocol without requiring the subscriber to adjust every connection setting manually.

If a connection fails, users can compare Lightway TCP and UDP or select another supported protocol. TCP-based connections may help on networks where UDP traffic encounters restrictions, although performance can vary.

Physical server hosting also matters when comparing VPN locations. ExpressVPN’s virtual server documentation explains that most of its servers physically operate in the same country as their registered IP addresses.

The company publishes exceptions where a selected location uses infrastructure hosted elsewhere. The United Kingdom does not appear on that virtual-location list, so ExpressVPN classifies its UK locations as physically hosted within the country.

This classification does not establish the exact data center or physical street address of each individual server. ExpressVPN documents the available locations and protocols rather than publishing precise hardware addresses.

For streaming performance, ExpressVPN users can compare London, Docklands, Manchester, and other listed locations. The closest or least congested server often provides a better connection, but individual speeds depend on the subscriber’s internet provider, device, and network conditions.

When a website behaves unexpectedly, clearing cookies, restarting the browser, and reconnecting may help resolve ordinary session problems. Updating the ExpressVPN application also ensures access to currently supported protocols and connection features.

However, Netflix may identify an ExpressVPN connection and restrict its regional catalog. Switching between London and Manchester or changing the protocol cannot guarantee access to The Steal.

ExpressVPN also requires users to comply with applicable laws and third-party service terms. Its British server coverage should not be interpreted as authorization to circumvent Netflix’s content restrictions.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN ranks third and offers a substantial UK server network. Its official UK page currently advertises 821 servers across Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester.

According to NordVPN’s official UK server page, subscribers can connect automatically by selecting the United Kingdom on the country map or in the application.

NordVPN’s automatic server-selection system chooses a suitable connection based on network factors. Users who prefer a specific city can open the country menu and choose Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, or Manchester.

London provides a practical manual starting point. Manchester offers another option, while Edinburgh and Glasgow allow users to compare connections in Scotland.

NordVPN also supports NordLynx, its implementation of the WireGuard protocol. NordLynx focuses on efficient encrypted connections while reducing unnecessary protocol overhead.

Another feature is SmartPlay, which NordVPN integrates into its applications. According to NordVPN’s SmartPlay documentation, the feature activates automatically whenever a user establishes a VPN connection.

SmartPlay combines encrypted VPN traffic, IP address masking, and DNS-related functionality. Users do not need to install a separate application or manually enable SmartPlay.

NordVPN distinguishes SmartPlay from standalone SmartDNS. SmartDNS modifies DNS-related behavior without providing the same encrypted VPN tunnel. SmartPlay operates within the NordVPN application and includes VPN encryption.

However, SmartPlay does not guarantee access to Netflix UK’s complete catalog. Netflix can recognize VPN traffic and restrict subscribers to globally licensed titles regardless of the VPN provider’s connection technology.

NordVPN also offers specialty servers for particular privacy requirements, including Double VPN and obfuscated connections. These features serve different security purposes and do not establish permission to access regionally restricted movies.

If a NordVPN connection becomes unstable, users can reconnect automatically or choose another documented UK city. Restarting the application and verifying the selected protocol may also help resolve connection problems.

NordVPN’s official server-list guide explains how to inspect available servers and connection options across supported devices.

Server counts can change as NordVPN expands or reorganizes its network. The advertised 821 UK servers represent the company’s published figure during this research, not a permanent count or a promise that every server will always be available.

Overall streaming performance depends on connection distance, available bandwidth, server congestion, and the subscriber’s internet service. NordLynx may reduce protocol overhead, but it cannot guarantee a particular streaming speed or regional Netflix access.

NordVPN also requires subscribers to respect copyright laws and applicable service restrictions. Its UK server network and SmartPlay feature cannot guarantee access to The Steal from the United States.

What to do if The Steal does not appear

If Netflix does not display The Steal, the problem may involve regional licensing, VPN detection, profile restrictions, or outdated browser information. The following checks can help identify ordinary connection and account issues.

1. Close Netflix completely. Exit the application or close every Netflix browser tab.
2. Disconnect from the VPN. Confirm that the application no longer reports an active connection.
3. Reconnect to the United Kingdom if your intended activity complies with the VPN provider’s and Netflix’s applicable terms.
4. Try another UK server or location to diagnose connection stability. Changing servers does not guarantee access to restricted regional content.
5. Clear Netflix cookies and browser cache to remove outdated session information.
6. Open an incognito or private browser window to check whether existing browser data causes the problem.
7. Reopen Netflix and sign in using your existing account. Confirm that you have selected the correct profile.
8. Search for The Steal again. Choose the 1995 movie starring Alfred Molina and Helen Slater if Netflix displays it.

PIA users can compare UK London and UK Manchester for standard connection performance. UK Southampton and UK Tottenham provide additional documented options, while UK Streaming Optimized serves permitted local streaming. PIA prohibits circumventing geographic restrictions.

ExpressVPN users can compare UK London, Docklands, East London, Manchester, Midlands, Tottenham, and Wembley when diagnosing connectivity. Switching protocols may help if a particular network interferes with the VPN tunnel.

NordVPN users can select another UK city or allow automatic server selection to choose a suitable endpoint. Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester are the company’s documented UK city options.

Netflix’s missing movie troubleshooting guide explains that geographic licensing restrictions, VPN detection, profile maturity settings, and language preferences may prevent a movie from appearing.

For The Steal, check the release year and cast before assuming that a similarly named movie is the correct title. The relevant film is John Hay’s 1995 British comedy thriller, not another production involving a robbery.

If Netflix continues to hide the movie, changing servers may not solve the problem. Netflix recommends disabling VPN connections when they interfere with normal viewing. American viewers can also check legitimate US streaming alternatives.

Netflix may detect the VPN

A VPN routes internet traffic through a remote server and replaces the public IP address that websites ordinarily see. Connecting to a British server can make the connection appear to originate from a UK IP address.

However, changing the visible IP address does not automatically grant access to the British Netflix catalog. Netflix licenses movies and television shows separately across countries and maintains systems that can identify VPN or proxy connections.

According to Netflix’s VPN support policy, subscribers using a VPN may see only titles for which the company holds worldwide streaming rights.

Consequently, The Steal may remain absent from search results even when the VPN reports an active UK connection. Netflix may also display a playback error or request that the subscriber disable the VPN.

Netflix recommends turning off VPN connections when they interfere with access to content available in the subscriber’s region.

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN cannot guarantee that Netflix will display The Steal. Connection protocols, server selection, and DNS functionality do not eliminate Netflix’s regional licensing rules.

Can you use a Netflix ad-supported plan with a VPN?

No. Netflix explicitly states that its ad-supported experience does not support VPN connections. This restriction applies regardless of whether a subscriber uses PIA, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN.

Subscribers may encounter error code E121 or a message asking them to disable the VPN or proxy. Netflix recommends turning off the VPN to restore playback under an ad-supported subscription.

An ad-free Netflix subscription avoids that specific restriction, but it does not guarantee access to another country’s catalog. Netflix may still recognize VPN traffic and limit the available movies.

See Netflix’s ad-supported VPN troubleshooting page for details about these restrictions and recommended solutions.

Does changing the VPN location change your Netflix account?

No. Connecting to a UK VPN server changes the public IP address visible to websites, but it does not automatically change your Netflix email address, password, profiles, subscription plan, or billing information.

Netflix maintains separate catalogs because film licensing agreements differ across countries. A movie available on Netflix UK may not appear on Netflix US.

The company also restricts account-country changes. Its account country guidance explains that subscribers generally cannot change their Netflix account country without moving.

For American viewers who want to watch The Steal without relying on international Netflix availability, JustWatch US lists Tubi and Fawesome as streaming options. Availability and advertising requirements may change.

Which VPN should you use?

Private Internet Access ranks first as the Editor’s Choice because it provides five documented UK connection options, including London, Manchester, Southampton, Tottenham, and UK Streaming Optimized. Its WireGuard and OpenVPN support offers useful flexibility for secure connections and permitted streaming. However, PIA explicitly prohibits circumventing geographic restrictions imposed by content providers, and users must comply with that restriction.

ExpressVPN ranks second with seven UK server locations, including Docklands, East London, London, Manchester, Midlands, Tottenham, and Wembley, alongside Lightway, WireGuard, and OpenVPN support. NordVPN ranks third with 821 advertised UK servers across four cities, NordLynx, automatic selection, and SmartPlay. Both providers offer practical privacy and connection features, but neither guarantees access to regionally licensed Netflix titles.

As of November 14, 2026, The Steal (1995) appears in the Netflix UK catalog but not Netflix US, according to the available official Netflix and JustWatch evidence. Streaming catalogs can change, and Netflix’s VPN detection, licensing arrangements, subscription restrictions, and provider terms mean that using a British VPN connection cannot guarantee playback from the United States.