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The Courier

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The Courier

PG-13

Released Mar 19, 2021

1h 51m

Mystery & Thriller

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

215 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Verified Ratings

THE COURIER is a true-life spy thriller, the story of an unassuming British businessman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) recruited into one of the greatest international conflicts in history. At the behest of the UK's MI-6 and a CIA operative (Rachel Brosnahan), he forms a covert, dangerous partnership with Soviet officer Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) in an effort to provide crucial intelligence needed to prevent a nuclear confrontation and defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis.

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Critics Consensus

The Courier delivers a rousingly effective old-school spy adventure elevated by a thrilling fact-based story and Benedict Cumberbatch's nervy central performance.

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Audience Says

Benedict Cumberbatch is terrific in The Courier, hooking the viewer in while the slow-burning story shifts into gear.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Combines plenty of the ingredients for a first-class espionage thriller but doesn't quite deliver.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 15, 2021

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Linda Marric

The Jewish Chronicle

Intriguing and genuinely heartfelt without ever veering into melodrama or hackneyed spy movie tropes.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 15, 2021

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Clarisse Loughrey

Independent (UK)

The Courier may have its moments, but it's also burdened with certain expectations.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 14, 2021

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Geoffrey Macnab

iNews.co.uk

The brilliance of Cumberbatch’s performance lies in the way he conveys both Wynne’s venality and his idealism.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 16, 2025

Full Review

Zach Pope

Zach Pope Reviews

What could have easily been a boring slog of a film is turned into a daring, intense drama

Jul 26, 2023

Full Review

Sean P. Means

The Movie Cricket

Cooke has clearly studied "The Third Man" and John LeCarré's spy novels, and creates an oppressive atmosphere filled with deep shadows from where suspicious eyes may be watching.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 27, 2023

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Janice M

Acting, camera focusing on facial expressions

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/05/21

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Jean

Great story, great acting and great music and cinematography

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/03/21

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denise m

Suspenseful, uplifting, true story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/18/21

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Juan U

Good movie. Not great, but good.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/06/21

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AdProf44

Great dramatics Cold War story. A little slow in the start but the intrigue and action intensifies. Worth seeing with great performances by B Cumberbatch and the main cast.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/31/21

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Kristine

A few slow patches but high tension and unexpected denouement.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/29/21

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Dominic Cooke

Director

Benedict Cumberbatch

Greville Wynne

Merab Ninidze

Oleg Penkovsky

Vladimir Chuprikov

Nikita Khrushchev

James Schofield

Cox

Rachel Brosnahan

Emily Donovan

The Courier: Movie Clip - Just a Salesman

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The Courier: Movie Clip - Use Me

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The Courier: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

THE COURIER is a true-life spy thriller, the story of an unassuming British businessman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) recruited into one of the greatest international conflicts in history. At the behest of the UK's MI-6 and a CIA operative (Rachel Brosnahan), he forms a covert, dangerous partnership with Soviet officer Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) in an effort to provide crucial intelligence needed to prevent a nuclear confrontation and defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Director: Dominic Cooke
Producer: Adam Ackland, Rory Aitken, Ben Browning, Ben Pugh
Screenwriter: Tom O'Connor
Distributor: Lionsgate - Roadside Attractions
Production Co: FilmNation Entertainment, SunnyMarch, 42
Rating: PG-13 (Partial Nudity|Brief Strong Language|Smoking Throughout|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 19, 2021, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.6M
Runtime: 1h 51m

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