Watch Little Nikita

Little Nikita is a 1988 film directed by Richard Benjamin and starring Sidney Poitier, River Phoenix, and Richard Jenkins. The movie follows the story of Jeff Grant, a young man who unknowingly becomes the target of an FBI investigation. Jeff is an all-American teenager with a passion for karate and a love for his girlfriend, who he plans on proposing to. However, when his parents are suddenly arrested by the FBI, Jeff's life is turned upside down.

The FBI suspects that Jeff's parents, both seemingly average citizens, are actually Soviet spies who have been living in the United States for decades. Jeff is initially in disbelief over the allegations against his parents, but as the evidence mounts, he begins to have doubts. Meanwhile, a veteran FBI agent, Roy Parmenter, takes on the case and discovers that there may be more to Jeff's story than he initially thought.

It soon becomes clear that Jeff's parents have been living under assumed identities for years, and that they have been feeding information to the Soviet Union. The stakes are raised when it is discovered that a key Soviet agent, known only as "Little Nikita," is planning a deadly attack on American soil. With the clock ticking, Jeff and Roy must work together to stop the attack and uncover the truth about Jeff's parents.

Little Nikita is a tense and suspenseful thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The film is anchored by strong performances from Poitier, Phoenix, and Jenkins. Poitier delivers a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of Agent Parmenter, who is torn between his duty to his country and his compassion for Jeff's family. Phoenix, in one of his earliest roles, brings a vulnerable quality to Jeff, who is forced to confront difficult truths about his family.

Jenkins, as Jeff's father, is also excellent in his role, imbuing the character with a quiet intensity that hints at his true motives. The supporting cast is also solid, with Caroline Kava giving a standout performance as Jeff's mother, who must grapple with the consequences of her actions.

One of the strengths of Little Nikita is the way it explores themes of identity and loyalty. Jeff's struggle to reconcile his love for his family with his growing suspicion that they may be spies is a compelling central conflict. The film also raises thought-provoking questions about what it means to be loyal to one's country, and whether there are limits to that loyalty.

Overall, Little Nikita is an underrated gem of a film that deserves more recognition. It deftly blends elements of espionage, family drama, and political thriller to create a gripping story that will keep viewers guessing until the very end. The performances are top-notch, and the themes explored are both timely and timeless. Whether you're a fan of the genre or simply looking for a riveting movie to watch, Little Nikita is definitely worth checking out.

Little Nikita is a 1988 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 50.