Argylle: An Over-The-Top Spy Thriller

An esteemed author of spy thrillers finds herself embroiled in the world of espionage when her fictional stories start to manifest in reality. An action-packed comedy thriller with an ensemble cast, Argylle takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns, boosting the already outlandish premise.

Elly (Bryce Dallas Howard) is a successful novelist with a series of books that follow a spy named Argylle. She’s devoted the last five years to her craft, and her attention to detail and in-depth research has made each novel a runaway hit. Following the release of her fourth book, she is now finalizing the next installment, which promises to delight fans with a fantastic conclusion.

But the world she created on the pages of her book becomes unexpectedly real when a man named Aidan (Sam Rockwell) introduces her to the real underbelly of a secret society of spies. She soon realizes that her seemingly fictional writings may not be so imaginary after all.

Directed by Matthew Vaughn and written by Jason Fuchs, Argylle was a surprisingly charismatic and unpredictable ride, though it may have gone overboard in certain aspects. If you’ve watched Vaughn’s Kingsman series, you can anticipate the same energized fight sequences but with an added touch of quirkiness — with a cast that makes it all the more fun.

Aside from the two leads, the film has a stacked roster, including Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, and Samuel L. Jackson, in addition to Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa, Ariana DeBose, and John Cena, who bring Elly’s characters to life.

Both Howard and Rockwell give fantastic performances, particularly in the first two acts of the movie, which are undoubtedly its strongest moments. Of course, the film also features an incredibly adorable cat that will surely win your heart. Although the marketing for the movie oversold some of its stars, in the end, it worked out in their favor.

There’s definitely a lot going on with the film, and I could certainly see that being a detractor for some. With twist after twist after twist, it can feel too exaggerated, but it plays well with the tone. And Vaughn maintains a vigorous pace and playful editing.

While Vaughn also has a great style, I found some of it to be a little lost in the grandeur of it all, especially in the third act. While amusing for the most part, the film could have seen some minor improvements had it just taken a step back. It also suffers from some bad CG throughout, surprising considering its $200 million budget.

Argylle boasts a humorous script that doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it an enjoyable film for those seeking some lighthearted entertainment. It reminded me of Austin Powers but with a less slapstick approach. Although it may not be the top action-comedy of the year, there are still plenty of fun moments to savor — though they may be worth waiting for the Apple TV+ release instead of heading to theaters.