All of the fat has been trimmed in The Courier, a fast-paced Cold War thriller based on the real-life British businessman and Soviet intelligence officer who struck a surprising friendship as they delivered vital nuclear information to the CIA. It’s tense and high-wire, but in between moments of suspense, there’s dry comic relief and moving displays of tenderness. The pacing is masterful, and every element—from score to editing to performance—works hand in hand to deliver what feels like an old-fashioned espionage film. There are little to no frills and flourishes here, just good ‘ol spying, chasing, and whipsmart comebacks.
"It's one of the most remarkable espionage stories of the 20th century, but The Courier wisely presents it as a tale of personal loyalty instead of geopolitics or spycraft."
— Bilge Ebiri
"Though there's nothing new or transformative here, The Courier stays afloat due to the acting by Buckley, Cumberbatch, and Ninidze."
— Odie Henderson
Cold War spy Greville Wynne and his Russian source try to put an end to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Based on true events, the film follows real-life businessman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) and USSR official Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) as they embark on a risky mission to help prevent the Cuban Missile Crisis.
There’s something about Cumberbatch and period dramas that just makes sense, isn’t there? He’s like the male version of Keira Knightley, or whatever the opposite of “iPhone face” is.
Like the great spy thrillers of the past, no second is wasted in this fast-paced (but still surprisingly moving) war thriller.
