Watch The Courier

Set during the Cold War era, The Courier follows the story of a mild-mannered British businessman, Greville Wynne (played by Benedict Cumberbatch), who is recruited by MI6 and the CIA to help thwart the Soviet Union's nuclear program. The task requires Wynne to travel to Moscow and establish a relationship with Colonel Oleg Penkovsky (played by Merab Ninidze), a high-ranking Soviet intelligence officer who has become disenchanted with the USSR's authoritarian regime and decides to help the West by sharing top-secret information about the Soviet missile capabilities.

Initially hesitant to get involved, Wynne eventually agrees to the proposal and starts a double life as a courier and spy, using his frequent business trips to Moscow as a cover to deliver and receive important documents from Penkovsky. As the two men become closer and the danger of being caught by the KGB looms over them, Wynne finds himself in a race against time to get the crucial intelligence back to the West before it's too late.

Along the way, Wynne also navigates the challenges of balancing his secret mission with his personal life, as he tries to conceal his activities from his wife (played by Rachel Brosnahan) and protect his family from the consequences of his actions. His mission becomes even more complicated when he finds out that the US government is not as supportive of Penkovsky's efforts as MI6, and that there might be traitors within the intelligence community who are trying to sabotage their efforts.

Throughout the movie, Cumberbatch delivers a strong performance as the unassuming businessman who is thrust into a dangerous game of espionage, showcasing his range as an actor by portraying the highs and lows of Wynne's emotions as he grapples with the weight of his mission. Meanwhile, Ninidze brings depth and complexity to the role of Penkovsky, conveying the internal turmoil of a man torn between his loyalty to his country and his desire for freedom and peace.

The Courier is a tense and engaging thriller that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats with its well-crafted suspense and high stakes. Director Dominic Cooke effectively captures the mood and atmosphere of the Cold War era, while also highlighting the human toll of the geopolitical tensions that shaped the era. Ultimately, the movie is a testament to the power of courage and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds, and a tribute to the true story of one man's heroism in the fight for freedom and peace.

In summary, The Courier is an exciting espionage thriller that delivers on both suspense and emotional impact, bolstered by strong performances from its lead cast and a compelling real-life story.

The Courier is a 2021 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 65.