Watch Complicit

Complicit is a thought-provoking thriller released in 2013, directed by Niall MacCormick and starring David Oyelowo, Arsher Ali, and Rupert Procter. It follows the story of Edward Ekubo, a British intelligence officer of African origin who is tasked with investigating the suspected involvement of a UK-based Muslim terror suspect in the death of an American citizen.

The movie starts with a tense scene where a CIA agent, played by Adam Kotz, is killed in Yemen while investigating a local terrorist network. The agency suspects that the group may have ties to a London-based Muslim extremist named Waleed Ahmed, played by Arsher Ali. To investigate this, MI5 assigns Edward Ekubo, played by David Oyelowo, to go undercover and gain the confidence of the suspect.

Edward is a man with a complicated past. He is an African immigrant who has quietly climbed the ranks of the MI5 to be a respected intelligence officer. However, his recent promotion has caused some tension in the department, as some wonder if he was promoted due to political correctness rather than merit. This makes Edward feel like he needs to prove himself on this case, especially since the investigation can't afford any mistakes.

As Edward gets closer to Waleed Ahmed, he finds himself in a moral quandary. On one hand, he needs to maintain his cover and gain Waleed's trust, but on the other hand, he begins to sympathize with the suspect's understandable frustration at the Western world's treatment of Muslim countries. Edward also starts to believe that the CIA's involvement in Yemen and their request to extradite Waleed may be justified, but he has no evidence to support his claim.

As the tension builds up, the movie explores themes of ethnic identity, radicalization, and loyalty. Edward struggles with his identity as a British citizen and a man of African origin. He also grapples with his loyalty to his job and his country and his sense of justice for the oppressed. Waleed, on the other hand, is portrayed as a man who has been pushed to radicalization by the injustices he saw in his home country, and he believes he is fighting for a higher cause. However, the movie never justifies his actions, nor does it suggest that any form of terrorism is acceptable.

Throughout the movie, the viewer is kept on the edge of their seat, as the plot reveals twists and turns. The supporting characters are also well-rounded and add depth to the story. Edward's colleague, played by Rupert Procter, is depicted as a traditional white British intelligence officer who is initially skeptical of Edward's abilities but gradually warms to his charm. Waleed's father, played by Adeel Akhtar, is portrayed as a man who is both strict and loving, with his own struggles between traditional Islamic beliefs and the modern world.

Overall, Complicit is a well-done movie that tackles complex issues with nuance, empathy, and suspense. It prompts the viewer to question their own values and biases, and to reflect on the reasons why people may resort to terrorism. The acting is superb, especially David Oyelowo's performance, who portrays Edward's inner turmoil with great skill. If you're in the market for a movie that will keep you engaged and make you think, then Complicit is definitely worth watching.

Complicit is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.