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Spies Like Us

Spies Like Us

Comedy · Adventure · 1985

Two bumbling government employees think they are U.S. spies, only to discover that they are actually decoys for nuclear war.

Movie details

Spies Like Us

“With spies like these, who needs enemies?”

1985 Comedy · Adventure 1h 42m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.2 / 10

Community rating

Two bumbling government employees think they are U.S. spies, only to discover that they are actually decoys for nuclear war.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Spies Like Us?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

Johnny English

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The Silencers

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Fifteen years after vanishing from the CIA to start a family, elite spies Matt and Emily jump back into the world of espionage when their cover is blown.

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The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Comedy · 2015

At the height of the Cold War, a mysterious criminal organization plans to use nuclear weapons and technology to upset the fragile balance of power between the United States and Soviet Union. CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB agent Illya Kuryakin are forced to put aside their hostilities and work together to stop the evildoers in their tracks. The duo's only lead is the daughter of a missing German scientist, whom they must find soon to prevent a global catastrophe.

Get Smart

Get Smart

Action · 2008

When members of the nefarious crime syndicate KAOS attack the U.S. spy agency Control and the identities of secret agents are compromised, the Chief has to promote hapless but eager analyst Maxwell Smart to field agent. He is partnered with veteran and capable Agent 99, the only spy whose cover remains intact. Can they work together to thwart the evil world-domination plans of KAOS and its crafty operative?

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

Comedy · 1999

When diabolical genius Dr. Evil travels back in time to steal superspy Austin Powers's ‘mojo,’ Austin must return to the swingin' '60s himself - with the help of American agent, Felicity Shagwell - to stop the dastardly plan. Once there, Austin faces off against Dr. Evil's army of minions to try to save the world in his own unbelievably groovy way.

My Spy

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Blacklight

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Action · 2022

Travis Block is a shadowy Government agent who specializes in removing operatives whose covers have been exposed. He then has to uncover a deadly conspiracy within his own ranks that reaches the highest echelons of power.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

John Landis

Written by

Lowell Ganz · Babaloo Mandel · Dan Aykroyd

Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase

Emmett Fitz-Hume

Dan Aykroyd

Dan Aykroyd

Austin Millbarge

Steve Forrest

Steve Forrest

General Sline

Donna Dixon

Donna Dixon

Karen Boyer

Bruce Davison

Bruce Davison

Ruby

Terry Gilliam

Terry Gilliam

Dr. Imhaus

Frank Oz

Frank Oz

Test Monitor

Court is in session

Put Spies Like Us on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.