Spythrillersare a beloved movie genre, with some of the most popular films of all time falling under this classification. However, since it’s such a far-reaching niche of cinema, there are plenty of overlooked classics that deserve more recognition. When it comes to some of the darkest installments of the genre, these movies are sometimes underrated because they don’t instantly appeal to a wide array of audience members. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth watching or don’t have something interesting to say. Even if they aren’t mentioned in mainstream conversations,many of these works are considered classics.
While somethriller movies use shocking twist endingsor lots of violence to draw the audience in, these films are notable for their moody atmosphere and deliberate pacing. A thriller doesn’t have to have major chase scenes or mind-bending stunts to be memorable, even if those are undeniably fun parts of the genre. However,these films incorporate other techniques to build tension and capture the audience’s attention,balancing action-adventure moments with quieter scenes that communicate the stakes. These movies come from a variety of decades and touch upon many different topics, but they’re all equally gripping.
One ofConnie Nielsen’s best moviesand an underrated addition to theGladiatoractress' filmography,Demonloverboasts a stacked cast. Alsostarring Chloë Sevigny and Gina Gershon,Demonloverfollows the competition for profit and licensingsurrounding an animated pornography website and the way this competition slowly devolves into threats, violence, and amateur corporate espionage. While corporate warfare isn’t necessarily what comes to mind when discussing spy movies,Demonloverdelivers on the intrigue.
Though the imagery seen onscreen inDemonlovermight seem tame by today’s standards, at the beginning of the 21st century, when the internet was still emerging, it was seen as much more extreme.Demonloveris an interesting time capsule of the way the internet changed the way people engage with violent and disturbing imagery, quickly becoming desensitized to it.Demonloverhas aged well, asits darkly ironic critiques of exploitation for profit have only become more timely as the digital age has come into its own.
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Red Sparrowtakes Jennifer Lawrence out of her comfort zone, giving the actress the tough role of Dominika Egorova, a graceful but deadly Russian spy. Full of style and flair,Red Sparrowleans into the genre’s roots, allowing Lawrence to play with the sensual and manipulative aspects of her character,who’s willing to go very far to get the information she wants.Red Sparrowfollows Dominika through her entire evolution as an agent, from losing her career as a ballerina to graduating from training and being placed in the field.
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Her character is juxtaposed with the straight-edged CIA agent, Nate Nash (Joel Edgerton), whom Dominika eventually meets and attempts to seduce.Nate also inspires Dominika to question her loyalties to the Russian governmentand reflect on what she really wants out of her work as an agent. ThoughRed Sparrowelevates the importance of sex and seduction in espionage, it works for this thriller, and Lawrence’s performance helps ground the story.
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Body of Liesis one of Ridley Scott’s lesser-known contributions to the action thriller genre, grappling with discussions of counter-intelligence and anti-terrorism that were particularly topical in the early 2000s.Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe lead the cast as two members of the CIAwho are following the trail of a fictional terrorist in the Middle East. Tensions between the CIA and the Jordanian intelligence officials who team up with Ferris (DiCaprio) and Hoffman (Crowe) to bring down this major terrorist cell.
The performances from the central cast, especially DiCaprio and Crowe, were almost universally praised by critics,as both actors dropped into their roles and embodied the morally complex men at the heart of the story. Scott’s director isn’t at its best inBody of Lies, but there’s a clear love and respect for the spy genre in every frame of the movie. Of all the films that touched upon counter-terrorism during this period,Body of Liesremains one of the most overlooked.
Body of Lies (2008)
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A young Saoirse Ronan leads the cast as the titular Hanna,a young girl trained to be an assassin. Erik Heller plays her father, an ex-CIA operative, and Cate Blanchett rounds out the cast as the current agent who’s hot on Hanna’s trail. The audience meets Hanna while she’s training with her father, preparing to take down Marissa (Blanchett) before she can eliminate Hanna and her father. It’s a deadly game of cat and house, and it doesn’t take long for the audience and Hanna to realize that she doesn’t have all the pieces to this puzzle.
ThoughHannaisn’t the film typically talked about when it comes to Ronan or Blanchett’s illustrious careers, it demonstrates what makes both of them such iconic actresses.
The reality of Hanna’s identity and birth inHannais a devastating secret that results in a chain of events overflowing with bloodshed and sacrifice. ThoughHannaisn’t the film typically talked about when it comes to Ronan or Blanchett’s illustrious careers, it demonstrates what makes both of them such iconic actresses. Even in the midst of brutal fight scenes, the emotional weight of their actions and their core motivations come through, communicating the themes and tones of the film to the audience.
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6Atomic Blonde (2017)
Directed by David Leitch
Like most female-led action movies,Atomic Blondeis a criminally underrated addition to the genre. Starring Charlize Theron as the MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton,Atomic Blondewas well-received for its well-choreographed fight scenes and memorable stunts,thanks to the director, David Leitch. With a background in stunt work and a love for the action genre, Leitch imbued these sensibilities intoAtomic Blondebut wasn’t afraid to give it an edge.
SinceThe Old Guardis getting a sequel, it would only be right for Theron’sAtomic Blondeto get the same treatment. The Cold War-set drama tackles the classic tropes of double-agents and mercenary spies looking to make a profit, no matter the cost. Stylistically,Atomic Blondeis cohesive and engaging, never forgoing visuals and cinematography for the sake of grittiness or violence. Though it’s not the darkest spy thriller ever made,there are some complex emotional moments that Theron has to grapple with as Lorraine.
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The Recruit
Cast
The Recruit follows a talented CIA trainee as he navigates the agency’s secretive training grounds known as the Farm. Facing a series of challenges, he must demonstrate his skills and remain vigilant as he learns to trust no one. Released in 2003, it stars Al Pacino and Colin Farrell.
Al Pacino and Colin Farrell star inThe Recruitas a veteran CIA agent and his newest recruit to a secret facet of the agency. The teaching of agents plays a large role inThe Recruit, as Farrell’s James is brought to The Farm, a training ground for future assets of the agency. WhileThe Recruitdoesn’t tread new ground when it comes to the thriller genre, incorporating twists and betrayals in every act, it revels in every narrative turn, clearly having fun with the tropes and formulas of the genre.
Due to its mixed reviews,The Recruithas predominantly flown under the radar, which is surprising considering the star power within the cast.
ThoughThe Recruitfeatures plenty of violence and doesn’t shy away from hurting James, its protagonist, the film features plenty of moments that were crafted for the viewer’s enjoyment. Due to its mixed reviews,The Recruithas predominantly flown under the radar, which is surprising considering the star power within the cast. However, watching the film today demonstrates that while the story might be familiar, it’s still an interesting exploration of the future of technology’s influence on intelligence in the espionage genre.
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One ofthe Coen Brothers' best moviesbut also one of their most underrated,Burn After Reading, is a darkly comic addition to the spy genre. Full of unwitting accomplices, unbelievable coincidences, and tonally unafraid to make the audience viscerally uncomfortable,Burn After Readingis a bit of an acquired taste. However, once the audience lets go and meets the movie on its own terms,it’s a thrilling ride and a searing take on the greed and systemic mistakes of everyday people and massive government agencies.
The juxtaposition between the uncaring violence doled out by certain characters and the simple-mindedness of others can be disconcerting inBurn After Reading, but this is what makes the project so unique. The central performances by George Clooney, Frances McDormand, and Brad Pitt seamlessly complement the off-kilter script and maintain the story’s propulsive pace. Well received in its initial run,Burn After Readingis still rarely mentioned when it comes to the Coen Brothers' filmographyand should be better remembered.
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Robert Redford plays against type inThree Days of the Condor, a movie praised for its realism and tension by audiences and critics alike. Directed by Sydney Pollack,Three Days of the Condoris directly in conversation with the Watergate Scandal,which was still at the forefront of the public consciousness in the United States. It’s this context that givesThree Days of the Condorits edge, as well as the central performance from Redford, who plays a CIA analyst turned field agent, Joe, who investigates corruption in the agency.
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Faye Dunaway plays opposite Redford as Kathy Hale, the young woman who becomes his romantic interest and personal motivation throughoutThree Days of the Condor. The film is particularly stressful becausethe organization that Joe is supposed to work for and trust is the seat of the corruptionand violence that threatens his existence. ThoughThree Days of the Condorreceived decent praise from critics when it was released, modern audiences should be more aware of this film.
Three Days of the Condor (1975)
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Army of Shadows
Army of Shadows is a 1969 French film directed by Jean-Pierre Melville. Set during World War II, it follows Philippe Gerbier, a member of the French Resistance, as he navigates betrayal, Nazi occupation, and clandestine operations in occupied France.
One of themost unique war moves of the genre,Army of Shadowsexplores the work and the violent struggle of the French Resistance during the Nazi occupation of France. Based on Joseph Kessel’s novel that touched upon his experiences as part of the resistance,Army of Shadowsis largely considered one of Melville’s best works,alongside his earlier crime thriller,Le Samouraï. However,Army of Shadowsis a much more bleak take on this violent period of history.
Army of Shadowsimmediately distinguishes itself from other movies that explore the fight of the French Resistance, as it presents a grim and matter-of-fact tone. The characters are well aware that their fates are most likely torture and death, but they keep fighting anyway. This is a side of espionage that cinema rarely grapples with, asit lacks the mystique and heroism that audiences have come to associate with the genre.However, this is exactly why it’s so gripping to watchArmy of Shadows.
Army of Shadows (1969)
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It’s unsurprising that Philip Seymour Hoffman is the highlight ofA Most Wanted Man, as the late actor was a master of his craft and was equally believable in his most lovable and villainous roles.A Most Wanted Manfeatures many familiar faces, with Rachel McAdams and Willem Dafoe as prominent players in the cast. There’s a good deal of political and international nuance at the heart ofA Most Wanted Man, asthe film is based on the novel by John le Carré,a famous author within thethrillergenre.
A Most Wanted Mandoes a good job of making the viewer sympathize with Bachmann and support his quest, even in his most self-righteous moments.
Hoffman’s character, Günther Bachmann, is a German anti-terrorism agent who consistently attempts to help those entangled in the larger schemes and mechanisms of terrorist organizations.A Most Wanted Mandoes a good job of making the viewer sympathize with Bachmann and support his quest, even in his most self-righteous moments. However, the movie is most memorable because of its twist ending, which forces the audience to grapple with questions of corruption at the highest levels of government.
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