For decades, audiences have flocked to movie theaters to witness fearless heroes go on exhilarating globe-trotting adventures in the pursuit of justice and to keep humanity safe. Whether they’re trying to foil potentially devastating terrorist attacks, protect American soil, or catch someone committing espionage, the cinema has been home to some truly unforgettable spy flicks.
Some of Hollywood’s most revered performers have headlined these gripping films, with big names like Brad Pitt, Pierce Brosnan, and Ewan McGregor all trying their hand at the sensational genre. Sam Rockwell became a certified leading man when he appeared in George Clooney’s engrossing directorial debut Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, just like moviegoers rejoiced when Pitt and Robert Redford joined forces for the taut thriller Spy Game. Here are the 10 most underrated spy movies.
10 Spy Game (2001)
Hollywood heavy hitters Robert Redford and Brad Pitt teamed up to help bring Tony Scott's action thriller Spy Game to life, which tells the story of veteran CIA operative Nathan Muir as he races against the clock to find a way to free his protégé Tom Bishop from his Chinese captors after he's accused of espionage. Muir must rely on his extensive knowledge of the CIA and his own natural instincts on his dangerous quest, with the men's convoluted history and origins coming to light in the process.
Ultimate Hollywood Dream Team
The sensational chemistry between Redford and Pitt and their effortless on-screen camaraderie truly propels the exciting flick, and fans of the duo were ecstatic that they were finally joining forces, as many have said Pitt resembles Redford and his overall allure.
The elder actor's character goes on a globe-trotting adventure to rescue his protégé, and audiences were impressed by the film's sleek and stylish cinematography and exhilarating twists and turns in the underrated thriller. Rent/Buy on Prime Video.
Spy Game
- Release Date
- November 18, 2001
- Runtime
- 126
9 The Ipcress File (1965)
Based on the Len Deighton novel of the same name, the riveting '60s British spy film The Ipcress File stars the incomparable Michael Caine as British intelligence officer Harry Palmer, who is tasked with investigating a series of perplexing kidnappings of prominent scientists that result in them being brainwashed and subsequently useless in their field. When Palmer discovers an ominous audiotape, he realizes he too may be on the hit-list and must figure out who is targeting him and why.
Palmer, Harry Palmer
The Ipcress File was touted as an "anti-Bond" alternative to the popular spy genre and was regarded as a less glitzy depiction of espionage, with Caine's winning performance as the witty and cool Palmer earning the adoration of audiences. The film marked the first of five appearances Caine would make as the literary spy, and in the years since its initial premiere, The Ipcress File has been regarded as a certified classic and was included in the British Film Institute's ranking of 100 of the greatest British films of the 20th century. Currently unavailable for streaming
8 Breach (2007)
Inspired by true events surrounding convicted FBI agent Robert Hanssen and his espionage committed against the country, Breach follows the ambitious and eager FBI employee Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe) as he is assigned to go undercover and work alongside veteran agent Hannsen (Chris Cooper), who is believed to be a traitor and spying for the Soviet and Russian intelligence. The two men engage in a power struggle, and O'Neill struggles with wondering why he (over other agents) has been chosen to carry out the crucial mission.
Cat-and-Mouse Pursuit
Even though viewers knew the plausible outcome of the thriller and Hanssen's fate, they were ultimately left unnerved and on the edge of their seats as O'Neill and the corrupt FBI agent fought for dominance in a cat-and-mouse game.
Breach is a slow burn film that is full of suspense and aims to deliver a more in-depth and introspective look at the notorious turncoat, and Cooper completely immerses himself in the role and serves up a truly masterful performance. Rent/Buy on Prime Video.
7 Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)
George Clooney made his dazzling directorial debut when he helmed the biographical spy dramedy Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, enlisting the talent of the criminally underrated Sam Rockwell to star as legendary game show host and producer Chuck Barris, who made claims in his autobiography that he had previously been an assassin for the CIA in the '60s and '70s. The film offers a fictional depiction of Barris' life and delves into his self-proclaimed career as a TV personality by day, and hitman by night.
Rockwell's Knockout Performance
Featuring the additional talents of Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, and Clooney himself, the engrossing film showed off Rockwell's undeniable gifts as a performer and his ability to brilliantly blend humor and drama.
To prepare for the role, Rockwell spent two-and-a-half months with Barris and ultimately landed the lead role due to his uncanny resemblance to the charismatic host and because he was relatively unknown at the time. Rockwell took home the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival and garnered rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. Stream on Paramount+.
6 The Kremlin Letter (1970)
Renowned director John Huston helped bring Noel Behn's novel to the big screen with The Kremlin Letter, which takes place at the height of the Cold War and focuses on the young United States naval officer Charles Rone, who possesses a photographic memory and is recruited to help assist a group of veteran spies on a dangerous mission in Russia. The elite team must retrieve a fake document declaring that the U.S. will assist Russia if China creates an atomic bomb, and must race against time to do so.
A Retrospective Spy Sensation
Despite being a commercial failure and receiving lackluster reviews from critics, in the decades since its release The Kremlin Letter has been reevaluated and lauded for its breathtaking cinematography, taut premise, and complex characters. The film takes its time chronicling the pulse-pounding operation instead of simply rushing through it, allowing viewers' nerves to grow.
Time Out Film Guide retrospectively declared that the underappreciated thriller was "powerful... possibly the clearest statement of Huston's vision of a cruel and senseless world in operation". Rent/Buy on Apple TV+.
5 The Tailor of Panama (2001)
Featuring a stacked cast of cinema greats led by Pierce Brosnan, Geoffrey Rush, and Jamie Lee Curtis, the captivating spy thriller The Tailor of Panama is adapted from the Johnle Carré novel and tells the story of convict-turned-tailor Harold "Harry" Pendel as he is blackmailed into helping the ruthless and suave MI6 agent Andy Osnard gain intel on what the President of the country plans to do with the Panama Canal. An unsuspecting Harry doesn't realize that Andy harbors his own personal agenda while on the mission.
Refreshing Take on the Spy Genre
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe made his theatrical film debut in the sleek thriller, and Brosnan was brilliant as the devious and manipulative spy, who infiltrates Harry's life for his own nefarious purposes.
Both Brosnan and Rush are formidable foes on screen as their counterparts fight to get the upper hand; The Tailor of Panama has clever humor, a unique and sharp screenplay, and memorable performances by its exceptional ensemble cast, and definitely deserves a second look from audiences. Rent/Buy on Prime Video.
4 Our Kind of Traitor (2016)
A couple vacationing in Morocco find themselves swept up in a dangerous scheme involving a Russian money launderer in the tense and gripping film Our Kind of Traitor, following Perry and Gail MacKendrick (Ewan McGregor & Naomie Harris) as they are approached by desperate Russian mafia servant Dima (Stellan Skarsgård)to help him find asylum with the British Intelligence after he ends up on their hit list. Dima possesses a USB drive that can expose corrupt British politicians to the Russian mafia.
Skarsgård's Scene-Stealing Portrayal
Damian Lewis appears as MI6 agent Hector, whom the MacKendricks go to with the compromising information, and he tasks the couple with helping his operation take down the Russian gangsters hot on their heels.
Our Kind of Traitor ratchets up the adrenaline and suspense as Perry and Gail go on their globe-trotting quest, and Skarsgård dazzles in the role of a devoted family man with a brutal and violent side, stealing every scene he's in. Rent/Buy on Apple TV+.
3 Cypher (2002)
In the underappreciated spy-fi thriller Cypher, disenchanted accountant Morgan Sullivan (Jeremy Northam) says goodbye to suburban life and sets out to pursue a more exciting life in espionage after being recruited by the mysterious corporation Digicorp.
While on his first mission, Morgan crosses paths with the enigmatic femme fatale Rita Foster (Lucy Liu), who reveals to the new spy that he is being brainwashed by Digicorp, causing him to question everything about his life and existence.
Mash-Up of Beloved Genres
Cypher winningly blends the traditional spy genre with mind-bending sci-fi elements, and has favorably been compared to the more well-known film The Manchurian Candidate. The plot heavy thriller incites paranoia and anxiety within moviegoers as Morgan becomes a double agent, and they are in for quite the ride as the intricate realities of the situation slowly reveal themselves. Cypher is an underrated spectacle that fans of both the spy and sci-fi genres should definitely check out. Rent/Buy on Prime Video.
2 A Most Wanted Man (2014)
The late and great Philip Seymour Hoffman was once again exceptional when he headlined the espionage thriller A Most Wanted Man, portraying seasoned German agent Günther Bachmann as he runs a covert operation that seeks to locate jihadis in Hamburg, and sets out to locate political refugee Issa Karpov. The desperate man allegedly has ties to Chechen terrorists and may prove to be useful to Bachmann in his takedown of a corrupt Muslim scholar, who has been financing terrorists.
A Worthy Send-Off for Hoffman
Willem Dafoe, Rachel McAdama, and Robin Wright help round out the cast of A Most Wanted Man, which also marks Hoffman's final film to be released during his life, with the thriller garnering widespread critical acclaim for its taut pacing and well-crafted plot.
Hoffman performance in the absorbing picture was deemed by the Los Angeles Times as "a fitting film for him to leave on, not only because it is so expertly done but because his role was so challenging", and A Most Wanted Man truly encompassed his everlasting allure as an actor. Rent/Buy on Apple TV+.
1 Traitor (2008)
Don Cheadle further demonstrated why he is one of the cinema's most prolific and dynamic actors when he starred in Traitor, following former U.S. Special Operations officer Samir Horn as he lands himself on the radar of determined FBI special agent Roy Clayton (Guy Pierce) after being suspected of aiding terrorists. Clayton begins to track Horn's moves and races to stop a potentially devastating terrorist attack he believes Horn is involved in, but begins to question where the man's loyalties truly lie.
Cheadle's Rip-Roaring Spy Thriller
Moviegoers weren't sure who they could trust and what Horn's intentions were in the engrossing thriller, which touts dazzling action sequences, exhilarating twists and turns, and excellent performances.
Traitor takes its time unraveling Horn's motives and loyalties, even as the chaos ramps up all around him. Interestingly, legendary comedian Steve Martin helped create the premise for the film, which the Daily Mirror called, "Tense, intelligent and quite moving, it's a meaty thriller filled with characters painted in refreshingly complex shades of gray." Stream on Hoopla.
Traitor
- Release Date
- August 23, 2008
- Runtime
- 110
Comments
Post a Comment