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The Informant

1997·Movie
1h 45min·R
57
DecentGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in any country yet.

The Informant fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, emotionally cool.

Energy

Nerve-racking and violent

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension9
  • Violence7
  • Adrenaline4

Heart

Moving and melancholic

  • Pathos8
  • Melancholy8
  • Family Dynamics6

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay6
  • Cringe Humor2
  • Dark Humor2

World

History, politics, and everyday modern life

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • World Immersion8
  • Ambiguity6

Craft

Standout characters, performances, and storytelling

  • Character Depth9
  • Acting8
  • Narrative Structure8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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You need an uplifting moodYou want fast pacing

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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

Even freedom has its price.

A former Irish Republican Army fighter, Gingy McAnally (Anthony Brophy), is reluctant about being called back into service after serving time in prison. He executes the grisly task but ends up captured by a sympathetic British police lieutenant named Ferris (Cary Elwes). The intimidating Chief Inspector of the Belfast Police (Timothy Dalton) convinces Gingy that his best hope is to become an informant and turn in other IRA operatives. As Gingy's marriage unravels under the stress, he is forced to come to terms with the fact that in this war both sides lose. Three men, three political circles, each fighting for their lives, each with their own agenda in the battle for Northern Ireland.
Political ThrillerIRA DramaThe TroublesGritty & BleakCharacter-DrivenMoral AmbiguityEspionage & BetrayalSlow-BurnTense Atmosphere

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Informant

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Informant legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for The Informant in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is The Informant worth watching?

57
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 57/100 (IMDb 6.3). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Informant rated?

RViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery.

How long is The Informant?

1 h 45 min

The Informant runs 1 h 45 min.

Is The Informant based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

What language is The Informant in?

EnglishGerman

It was made in English, with some German. Produced in Ireland, United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Informant?

2ATDE

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Informant in 2 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Informant use?

Snowball LieLogical FallaciesBook DumbMinsky PickupPrisons Are SchoolsCloudcuckoolanderVillain ProtagonistUnreliable NarratorSoundtrack DissonanceRunning GagCorrupt Corporate ExecutiveThe Revealand 16 more

TV Tropes lists 28 storytelling tropes for The Informant, including Snowball Lie, Logical Fallacies, Book Dumb.