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The Spy Who Came In from the Cold

1965·Movie
1h 52min
80
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.5Rotten Tomatoes86%82%
IMDb7.5Rotten Tomatoes86%82%

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fuboTVMGM+PhiloHoopla

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The Spy Who Came In from the Cold fingerprint

Immersive world, strong craft.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension8
  • Adrenaline5
  • Fast Pace5

Heart

Melancholic and cathartic

  • Melancholy7
  • Catharsis7
  • Pathos6

Humor

Some sharp wit and satire

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay6
  • Satire & Parody6
  • Dark Humor5

World

Politics, mystery, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances, characters, and direction

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9
  • Intrigue9

Style

Standout cinematography

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Brace yourself for greatness.

British agent Alec Leamas refuses to come in from the Cold War during the 1960s, choosing to face another mission, which may prove to be his final one.
Cold War EspionageCynical Spy ThrillerMoral AmbiguityPolitical IntrigueDeception & BetrayalPsychological WarfareBleak RealismClassic AdaptationMoral Compromise

Crew

Directed by:
Martin Ritt, Colin M. Brewer, Angela Martelli
Written by:
John le Carré, Paul Dehn, Guy Trosper
Produced by:
Martin Ritt, James H. Ware, Richard McWhorter
Composed by:
John Cox, John W. Mitchell, Gordon Daniel

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Spy Who Came In from the Cold

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Spy Who Came In from the Cold legally?

fuboTVMGM+PhiloHoopla

The Spy Who Came In from the Cold is included with a subscription to fuboTV, Philo, and MGM+ in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Hoopla. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Spy Who Came In from the Cold worth watching?

80
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 81/100 (IMDb 7.5 and Rotten Tomatoes 86%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Spy Who Came In from the Cold rated?

Violence

Content advisories: violence.

How long is The Spy Who Came In from the Cold?

1 h 52 min

The Spy Who Came In from the Cold runs 1 h 52 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Spy Who Came In from the Cold?

Critics86
Audiences79

Yes. Critics average 86 and audiences 79 out of 100, so both groups see The Spy Who Came In from the Cold much the same way.

What language is The Spy Who Came In from the Cold in?

EnglishDutch

It was made in English, with some Dutch. Produced in United Kingdom.

In how many countries can I watch The Spy Who Came In from the Cold?

54AEAOATAUAZBEBFBGBYCACHCVCYCZ+40

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Spy Who Came In from the Cold in 54 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Spy Who Came In from the Cold use?

Unreliable NarratorFraming the Guilty PartyBookendsAgents DatingCerebus RetconDespair Event HorizonEarly-Installment WeirdnessAdaptation Name ChangeInsistent TerminologyDirty BusinessSoft-Spoken SadistEstablishing Character Momentand 40 more

TV Tropes lists 52 storytelling tropes for The Spy Who Came In from the Cold, including Unreliable Narrator, Framing the Guilty Party, Bookends.