← Back to results
Official Secrets
2019 112 min United Kingdom, United States of America, Switzerland R 16+
★7.2
Thriller, History, Drama
Director: Gavin Hood
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
The true story of British intelligence whistleblower Katharine Gun who—prior to the 2003 Iraq invasion—leaked a top-secret NSA memo exposing a joint US-UK illegal spying operation against members of the UN Security Council. The memo proposed blackmailing member states into voting for war.
US Gross:
$1.99M
Worldwide:
$10.1M
Starring
Keira Knightley
Actor
Matt Smith
Actor
Matthew Goode
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 2021
— Best International Feature Film
Key opinion
Official Secrets is widely praised as an emotionally resonant and historically accurate political thriller that effectively captures the moral weight of whistleblowing. While a minority of viewers found the narrative conventional or lacking in dramatic tension, most audiences appreciate its focused performances and clear-eyed look at the deceptions behind the Iraq War.
| Acting | Keira Knightley provides an authentic, restrained, and convincing portrayal of whistleblower Katharine Gun. | |
| Theme | The film succeeds as a historically accurate, sober examination of the geopolitical manipulation used to justify the 2003 Iraq invasion. | |
| Acting | Ralph Fiennes delivers a nuanced and sophisticated performance as a cynical lawyer. | |
| Direction | Gavin Hood’s direction maintains a steady, professional hand that prioritizes the delivery of information over high-octane spectacle. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided: supporters value its straightforward, documentary-like commitment to facts, while critics find it narratively conventional and lacking in personal intrigue. |