No matter how many predictable spy films I come across, I’m still going to see them as soon as possible.
Take for example the latest release known as “Argylle.”
Argylle is a spy action comedy film directed and produced by Matthew Vaughn, and written by Jason Fuchs.
Vaughn has had a stream of success with his “Kingsman” franchise and I’ve been a fan of its blending of action-packed sequences sprinkled with witty banter and uncharacteristic soundtrack choices.
In case you were wondering - I can safely say that Argylle follows quite a similar format.
And if you’re down for some espionage, intrigue, and a generous helping of silliness then you’ll enjoy this flick, too.
While clocking in at 139 minutes long, the movie is rated PG-13 for strong violence and action and some strong language.
The film features an ensemble cast that includes Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O'Hara, Henry Cavill, Sofia Boutella, Dua Lipa, Ariana DeBose, John Cena, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Introverted spy novelist Elly Conway (Howard), has just finished her fifth book about Aubrey Argylle (Cavill), the title character of the eponymous Argylle series.
As per her usual ritual, she sends the manuscript to her mother (O’Hara) for review and finds out the next morning that she’s not fond of the cliffhanger ending.
Her mother requests for her to come home and they will brainstorm another chapter together so that the book ends on a smoother transition and is set up for the sixth book Elly is planning on writing next.
On the train journey home, Elly is saved from an ambush by an actual spy, Aidan (Rockwell), who explains to her that a devious organization known as the Division, has targeted her because the novels seemingly predict their future.
Aidan defends her from Division assassins and the pair eventually flee the train with Elly’s cat Alfie in tow.
Aidan travels with Elly to England, hoping that her next chapter will reveal how to stop the Division.
In London, the duo searches for a hacker’s "Masterkey" that would help expose the Division that Elly had also referenced in her novels.
Unfortunately, the Division is on to them and is spying on Elly as she works out the hiding place for the Masterkey at the hacker’s apartment.
Two kill squads are sent after Elly and Aidan – but the pair narrowly makes it to the roof and escape in a speedboat the hacker had hidden on the river.
Later, Ellyn has finished a shower in their hotel and finds herself continually hallucinating her protagonist Argylle before forcing him to disappear and encourages Aidan to shower as well before they’re to move on to the next step for finding the Masterkey.
However, Aidan lets the shower water run and has a private phone call that Alfie almost interrupts.
Elly overhears it though and finds herself suspecting Aidan wants to kill her too, so she escapes.
From a payphone, Elly calls her parents for help and plans to meet them at the Savoy Hotel the following morning.
As they arrive, Aidan reveals that they are operatives working for the Division sent to capture her, forcing him and Elly to fend them off before fleeing.
However, that’s not the last surprise twist to this spy tale and I can safely say that I didn’t see it coming either.
Vaughn’s use of comedy helps the storyline flow and also provides a distraction from trying to analyze and pick apart the ending before it happens – and I’m grateful for it.
Check Argylle out in theaters now!
