Watch The Numbers Station
- R
- 2013
- 1 hr 28 min
-
5.6 (20,992)
The Numbers Station is a gripping 2013 spy thriller starring Hollywood legend John Cusack and Malin Akerman, who plays his co-star. The movie also features Liam Cunningham, best known for his portrayal of Davos Seaworth in Game of Thrones. In the movie, Cusack plays Emerson Kent, a disgraced CIA agent who is given one last chance to redeem himself. Kent is assigned to a remote numbers station in the British countryside to protect a key code operator, Katherine (Akerman), who works there. Kent is supposed to ensure that Katherine can transmit a crucial code to a group of agents in the field. The code is crucial for preventing a series of terrorist attacks that have been planned in Africa.
The movie is set in a post-9/11 world where terrorist attacks have become a common occurrence. The pressure to prevent such attacks is immense, and this is reflected in the palpable tension that permeates throughout the movie.
As the movie progresses, we see Kent and Katherine, forced to work together in their tiny bunker surrounded by miles of desolate, cold English countryside. They are constantly under the threat of attack from unknown assailants. This is one of the most effective aspects of the movie because it creates a sense of claustrophobia that is almost palpable. We feel as though we are stuck in the bunker with the characters, with no escape in sight.
The tension and suspense are heightened by the fact that neither Kent nor Katherine knows who the enemy is. Are the assailants working for the terrorists, or are they rogue elements within the CIA?
As the movie progresses, we get glimpses into the personal lives of the two characters, and it becomes clear that they have a history. This adds to the emotional heft of the movie because we are invested in these characters and their survival.
The characters in the movie are complex and well-rounded, and the performances by Cusack and Akerman are outstanding. Cusack portrays Kent as a man who is wracked by guilt and trying to redeem himself. Akerman's Katherine is a strong, intelligent woman who is trying to do her job as best as she can, despite the danger.
The movie is visually stunning, with the barren English countryside serving as the perfect backdrop for the cold, sterile bunker that Kent and Katherine work in. The outdoor shots are breathtaking, and the interior of the bunker is impeccably designed, creating a sense of isolation and despair that is in tune with the mood of the movie.
Overall, The Numbers Station is a taut, gripping thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The movie is a prime example of how to do a spy thriller right, with a great script, strong performances, and impeccable direction. Fans of the genre will not be disappointed.
The Numbers Station is a 2013 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6 and a MetaScore of 39.