Action director Matthew Vaughn has found an unusually mixed response with his latest release,Argylle. A spy-action-comedy flick with a meta twist, the movie found its audience with an abundance of flamboyant action, reminiscent of films likeKingsman. But for another section of viewers, the movie was needlessly convoluted, with its many references toclassic spy thrillertropes failing to come to life despite an extended runtime.
The movie stars Bryce Dallas Howard as a famous author, Elly Conway, who discovers that her books have been predicting real-life events in the secret world of spies. Hunted by a mysterious organization for this, she goes on the run with an unlikely protector, played by Sam Rockwell. As the line between fiction and reality blurs, the movie teases viewers of this contrast by presenting an imposing Henry Cavill as the Argylle of Elly’s imaginations, who takes the lead any time guns start blazing.
Argylletries to play with the typical spy formula by inserting twists and meta elements throughout the movie. While it was a fun experience for many viewers, others were left wanting a more convincing spy tale. So, here are 10 movies to watch ifArgylleleft you wanting more.
10Knight and Day (2010)
Knight and Day
Knight and Dayis an underrated movie from Tom Cruise’s filmography that serves as the perfect follow-up watch if you want a betterArgylle. The movie stars Cameron Diaz as June, an everyday woman traveling to her sister’s wedding, when she bumps into Cruise’s Roy at the airport. The short interaction puts her in the crosshairs of the CIA, as Roy just happens to be a rogue agent. The duo’s lives become quickly entangled when Roy decides to save June from her misfortune.
How It Compares to Argylle
Knight and Dayis a lively enactment of the spy-meets-wide-eyed-girl formula. While this was just an operating format forArgylle,Knight and Daymakes this trope its primary focus. The movie brings its characters to life through some effective measures, allowing you to easily root for them. At the same time, the character chemistry between the two quickly becomes engaging, with Diaz’s frenetic tension bouncing perfectly off Cruise’s suave demeanor — a perfect combination for this kind of spy film.Stream on Hulu
9Spy (2015)
Spyis a top-notchaction comedy filmthat puts a bumbling, middle-aged woman in the role of a globetrotting secret agent. Melissa McCarthy stars in the movie as Susan Cooper, an analyst for the CIA who works as the “guy in the chair” for one of its top agents. That is, until her partner is killed on the job, and the identities of all CIA field agents discovered by criminals. Defying all expectations, she decides to step out on the field herself, quickly proving herself to be a capable spy herself.
If you’re interested in a spy comedy with genuine heart and hilarity, look no further thanSpy. This movie is bedecked with all the tropes you love in a spy movie, from spy gadgets to high-stakes infiltrations. The casting is the cherry on top, with McCarthy as the awkward yet lovably enthusiastic Susan, and action cinema stalwarts like Jason Statham and even Jude Law appearing as fun parodies of their typical roles.Stream on Max
8The Tourist (2010)
The Tourist
It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to considerThe Tourista dream casting, as it features Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp in the leading roles. Aside from the opening exposition, this movie starts in the same way asArgylle: on a train. Jolie appears in the movie as Elise, the romantic partner to an infamous criminal who is on the run from the law. With the police watching her every move, she is secretly instructed by her partner to find a scapegoat to pose as him. She finds the scapegoat in the form of college lecturer Frank, played by Depp.
WhileThe Touristdoesn’t explicitly deal with the world of spies, the crime and intrigue that is involved in its plot is no less exciting. Set against the gorgeous landscapes of Europe, the movie recreates the same thrill as a good espionage film, with the narrative driven by the cryptic actions of Elise. The romance and character chemistry in this movie is crafted brilliantly by the performances of its lead actors, and this movie also comes with a fantastic twist that is just as entertaining as the ones inArgylle.Rent on AppleTV
Related:Argylle Review: A Terrific Ensemble Can’t Save Convoluted Action Comedy
7The Brothers Grimsby (2016)
The Brothers Grimsby
The eclectic thespian, Sacha Baron Cohen, has also turned his comedic eye to the spy genre, appearing alongside Mark Strong inThe Brothers Grimsby. The two appear in the movie as brothers separated for three long decades. While Cohen grew up to be an alcoholic, his brother became a skilled agent for MI6. When the two finally reconnect, it’s in the midst of a top-secret MI6 operation that predictably goes haywire due to Cohen’s intrusion. This sets them both on the run from the cops and dangerous terrorists.
The Brothers Grimsbyis full of extremelyedgy and graphic humorthat is typical of Sacha Baron Cohen. If that brand of humor is for you, though, the movie has a surprisingly high-quality action adventure in store for you. This movie effortlessly blends comedy with its action sequences, creating a blockbuster-like effect with blazing guns, Michael Bay-style explosions, and captivating villains. The contrasting energies of Cohen and Strong as completely opposing personality types makes for a fun, engaging ride — provided you’re able to enjoy the Cohen-esque humor, that is.Stream on Starz
6Keeping Up with the Joneses (2016)
Keeping up with the Joneses
Two worlds collide once again inKeeping Up with the Joneses, except this time, its two families that navigate the impact together. Zach Galifianakis and Isla Fisher are the average couple, with a cushy job at a defense contractor company. When a new couple moves in next door, they become increasingly suspicious that the Joneses (Jon Hamm and Gal Gadot) are undercover spies. The movie follows these two couples as they spy on each other. As they begin to develop a genuine bond, a deeper plot unravels.
Keeping Up with the Jonesescomes with a fun twist on the average-person-meets-spy formula seen inArgylle. The twist makes for a lot of comedic gags, as the average couple finds themselves outmatched by the professional spies and having to keep up neighborly appearances at the same time. The set-up also works to a large extent due to the casting, as all four co-stars appear to be enjoying their roles to the utmost. There is a hint of slight exaggeration and light-heartedness to the performances that makes everything fit into place, something you will surely enjoy as well.Rent on AppleTV
5The Man from Toronto (2022)
The Man from Toronto
The Man from TorontotakesThe Brothers Grimsbyand replaces its edgy humor with a more conventional one, this timeled by Kevin Hart. He stars in the movie as an unemployed husband who hopes to make it big as an entrepreneur. During a vacation with his wife, Hart’s character is mistaken for a hitman known simply as the Man from Toronto. Surviving the interaction purely with his wits, he then finds himself in the hands of the FBI, who convince him to go undercover as the infamous assassin on another job. Meanwhile, the real Man from Toronto, played by Woody Harrelson, is on his trail, hunting for the man who stole his identity.
Compared to the ambitious plot ofArgylle, you will findThe Man from Torontomuch simpler and toned down. But this is exactly what allows the movie to be fun. The movie’s spy work is catchy and engaging as the leading duo unravels a criminal conspiracy. There are also bigger risks as the two get hunted by another skilled assassin, the Man from Toronto. All throughout, the comedic chops of Hart and Harrelson keep things lively and engaging.Stream on Netflix
4The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Henry Cavill consistently ranks as a top fan pick forthe next James Bond. While the opportunity has yet to be presented to him,The Man from U.N.C.L.E.was the closest he came to starring in his own spy franchise. A reboot of the classic spy series of the same name, this movie featured Cavill as a CIA agent in the ’60s, on an international hunt for a group of Nazi sympathizers looking to get their hands on a nuclear bomb.
Many viewers have opined that Cavill was wasted inArgylle, appearing as a figment of Elly’s imagination with no sense of personality in the role. As he was prominently featured in the movie’s trailer, his unusual role was a disappointment to many fans.The Man from U.N.C.L.E.is a perfect watch if you’re nursing a similar disappointment. The movie places Cavill in his element as the suit-donning, quip-dishing spy who sweet-talks his way through everything and can just as easily jump into action.Rent on AppleTV
Related:The Man From U.N.C.L.E: Are We Getting a Sequel?
3Johnny English (2003)
Johnny English
you’re able to’t talk about spy comedies without mentioning the golden entry into this genre, the Rowan Atkinson-starrerJohnny English. A failed, incompetent field agent for the British intelligence organization MI7, the titular Johnny English finds himself having to take on the most daring missions when all the organization’s top agents are killed due to a mishap borne by his own mistakes. The movie follows his adventures as he consistently tries and fails to portray himself as a suave gentleman while going about his spy missions.
Johnny Englishbrings with it the distinct flavor of British humor, blended to perfection with the spy genre by the antics of Atkinson. The movie also brings with it a weighty plot that adds a good deal of well-measured intrigue, allowing you the best of both worlds — espionage as well as comedy. Best of all,Johnny Englishhas two equally brilliant sequels that carry forward these same qualities to better technical execution, making for a visual treat that can easily remind you of films likeMission: Impossible.Stream on Starz
2Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Smithis a classicromance action film, starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. The movie has a humorous premise, wherein two world-class assassins, played by Jolie and Pitt, fall in love and get married without knowing the truth about the other. As their marriage begins to suffer due to the secret, they run into each other while working. The discovery pits them against their respective employers, and the two begin to sort out their marriage in the conflict that follows.
The complex plot elements ofArgylleaside, the movie was also criticized for its synthetic visuals, which kept viewers from enjoying the action.Mr. & Mrs. Smiththrives on its practical action set-pieces, whether it is the demolition of a house or a highway firefight. Jolie and Pitt are in their element in the cross-genre element of the film, executing the married assassins dynamic comfortably, which makes for a wonderful chemistry that is vastly different from that inArgylle.Stream on Prime Video or Hulu
1Atomic Blonde (2017)
Atomic Blonde
Atomic Blondeis one of the few action movies that feature a woman lead while also utilizing a gritty action style. The movie stars Charlize Theron as an MI6 agent assigned to recover a list of intelligence agents after it gets lost in Berlin. The movie comes with a fully dramatic tone, dropping viewers right in the middle of the action. Theron’s leading character has to navigate a complex web of gray characters and double agents to do her job.
In the midst of the half-baked comedy,Argyllealso loses touch with itswoman action lead, an aspect that can easily become a focal point in an action film while adding to its quality.Atomic Blondeis beloved for making the best of this potential. The movie comes with a thrilling espionage plot that is more complex than the one-note sleuthing typical of aMission: Impossible-style spy adventure. At the same time, Theron proves herself to be one of the most compelling action stars out there, showcasing just how convincing a female action lead can be.Rent on AppleTV
