"Rogue Agent" as James Norton delivers a mesmerizing performance, revealing the shocking true-crime story of the MI5 imposter.
"Rogue Agent" is a 2022 thriller by Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson; a British thriller based on a true story starring James Norton, Gemma Arterton, and Shazad Latif. The movie hit the screens on August 12, 2022, and its current IMDb rating stands at 6.3/10.
The film is a compelling yet disturbing biographical drama about the true story of conman Robert Freegard who, in various instances, pretended to be an MI5 agent in order to manipulate and exploit his victims. That performance of James Norton was captivating, balancing charm and menace. He is really frightening-changing from a charismatic facade to cold calculation is unbelievable by himself, which makes the character more believable.
Gemma Arterton plays Alice Archer, a high-powered lawyer who is inexorably drawn into Freegard's spin of deception. Arterton adds depth and nuances to her character as she takes Alice from an assured professional to a doubtful and fearful woman. The chemistry between Norton and Arterton makes their relationship believable on screen and deserving of further complication.
Essentially, this film is mostly tight, building tension all the way to the end. The directors play the perfect game of psychological thriller and true crime to create such a feeling of perpetual unease. The structure of the story-parking together all the frauds perpetrated by Freegard-exerts good control over the vast scope and depth while engaged for the audience.
One of the strengths of the film lies in manipulation and gaslighting. It explores the psychological tactics practiced by Freegard, offering an incredibly chilling portrayal of how reasonably intelligent persons can fall into elaborate lies. That aspect of the film leaves viewers with so much to think about, concerning the nature of trust and deception.
While nothing spectacular, cinematography filmed both the gaudy veneer of Freegard's existence and the encroaching feeling of claustrophobia his victims were witnessing. Locations-the bustle of London, as well as the isolated backroad areas-added to the film and underlined the isolation Freegard forced upon those he was able to manipulate.
However, "Rogue Agent" is not without its flaws. For instance, there are pacing issues - it feels inconsistent at times, with certain sections dragging on. Additionally, while the connection between Freegard and Alice is integral to the story, it sometimes comes at the expense of delving deeper into other victims' lives.
Well-balanced to the developing tension on screen, the score by Jack C. Arnold enhances key moments of the film without overwhelming scenes. The minor musical cues given barely qualify to underscore the cat-and-mouse game being played within the characters' head during their psychological game.
Even themes about identity and self-reinvention--all very different, that is, in a dark context--are touched upon in "Rogue Agent." Freegard's ability to don various personas raises interesting questions about just how malleable a person's identity might be in modern society.
In short, Rogue Agent is an adequate thriller and is interesting in the talents of performance, particularly from Norton and Arterton. Not groundbreaking in this genre, however, does offer a thrilling, disturbing true story about the adventures of a con artist. This also serves as a good cautionary tale and a study in psychology, encouraging the viewer to walk the thin line between trust and gullibility. Although it's a slow pace with several parts that drag on, for true-crime movie and psychological thrill enthusiasts, it is quite a good watch.
Cast: James Norton, Gemma Arterton, and Shazad Latif
Director: Declan Lawn, Adam Patterson