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Our Kind of Traitor

Our Kind of Traitor

Who can you trust with the truth?

2016108 minRMidcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
Director
Susanna White
Starring
Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgård, Damian Lewis, Naomie Harris

A young Oxford academic and his attorney girlfriend holiday in Morocco. They bump into a Russian millionaire who owns a peninsula and a diamond watch. He wants a game of tennis. What else he wants propels the lovers on a tortuous journey to the City of London and its unholy alliance with Britain's intelligence establishment, to Paris and the Alps.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Our Kind of Traitor?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Our Kind of Traitor streaming on Cinemax via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

via Prime Video

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Our Kind of Traitor?

Our Kind of Traitor earns 5 badges, led by Box Office Hit and Thought-provoking.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Our Kind of Traitor worth watching?

Our Kind of Traitor's Midcredits score is the 49th percentile of all films, from 39K ratings across 6 sources. 45% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

49th percentile

Better received than 49% of films

66th percentile among Action50th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)53rd
Approval (how many liked it)45th

62 /100

53rd percentile of all films

69th percentile among Action53rd percentile among 2010s

Critics 57 · Audience 63

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.3 — solid but not unanimous.

45% liked it

45th percentile of all films

60th percentile among Action44th percentile among 2010s
45% rated it 7–1055% rated it 1–6

Critics 72% · Audience 50%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 4 noms overall

94th percentile

39K ratings across platforms

88th percentile among Action94th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 35% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$985K
Domestic gross$3.2M
Worldwide gross$11M

59th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A well-acted but unevenly plotted le Carré adaptation with a standout performance by Stellan Skarsgård.

Fans praised

  • Stellan Skarsgård's charismatic, warm performance as Dima
  • Suspenseful and gripping throughout with taut pacing
  • Strong ensemble acting, especially Damian Lewis as the MI6 agent

Detractors panned

  • Implausible, predictable plot with no surprises
  • Ewan McGregor's character is too naive and unconvincing
  • Naomie Harris underused as a mere wife accessory

What stands out

ActingDivisive78

Skarsgård praised as charismatic and scene-stealing; Lewis effective; McGregor and Harris solid but limited roles

Cinematography75

Beautiful location photography by Anthony Dod Mantle; visually appealing but occasionally bland

AtmosphereDivisive65

Earns points for immersive locations and tone; some call it generic or flat

PacingDivisive60

Fans call it brisk and gripping; detractors find it slow, boring, and meandering

TensionDivisive60

Fans find it suspenseful; detractors say it lacks thrills and drama

CharactersDivisive50

Skarsgård's Dima well-drawn; Perry seen as naive; Gail underdeveloped; Hector intriguing but uneven

Plot and storyDivisive40

Predictable and full of conveniences; some find it engaging but others call it implausible and thin

Originality30

Familiar le Carré tropes; seen as derivative and formulaic

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 10 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 9 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 8 points apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Our Kind of Traitor like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Tense and gripping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready to pay close attention and feel heavy feelings, and you want something tense that holds you to the end.

It is intense and leaves you thinking. Skip it when you want an easy night or you can only half-watch.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Your full attention and room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Tense and gripping.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseDread
Heaviest: late
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film presents its dangerous espionage plot with a grave, moody seriousness, never undercutting the tension.
The rideThe film maintains a steady tension that escalates during the climactic drive to the safe house and the final confrontation with the mafia.
StructureThe story unfolds in a conventional chronological order, following the couple's initial encounter with Dima and their subsequent journey.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Thinking.

Thought-provokingUnsettling
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's depiction of institutional corruption and the moral compromises of ordinary people lingers, along with the tension of the chase.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestMission
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% (this title) · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Mission: Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).

10% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA regular couple becomes the unsuspecting go-between for a Russian mafia defector, leading to a chase across Europe while attempting to expose high-level corruption.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfMarriageBonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% (this title) · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4% (this title)
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% (this title) · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Marriage · 2% of filmsLoyalty · 4% of filmsTruth · 4% of films
Warns its theme: Presents its theme as a danger or a coming cost.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on a couple's relationship being tested as they are drawn into a dangerous conspiracy, forced to choose between safety and moral commitment.
StanceThe film warns about the reach of organized crime into legitimate institutions and the personal cost of crossing it.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanIn transitInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernElectronicSupportive music · original score · Ilan Eshkeri
SettingFrom a Moroccan resort through Paris to a Swiss Alps safe house, moving through the corridors of international crime and intelligence.
MusicIlan Eshkeri's score mixes tense strings with electronic pulses, matching the film's paranoid atmosphere.

Content guide

Is Our Kind of Traitor okay for kids?

R

Our Kind of Traitor is rated R: “Rated R for violence, language throughout, some sexuality, nudity and brief drug use” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (69/100), sexual content at intense (68/100), language at intense (74/100), drug and alcohol content at intense (60/100) and frightening material at moderate (51/100). Overall it is heavier than 62% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 13 other countries
  • UK15
  • CanadaR
  • Germany16
  • FranceU
  • Ireland15A
  • JapanPG12
  • South Korea15세 이상 관람가
  • Brazil16
  • Denmark15
  • GreeceΚ-18
  • LTN-16
  • Netherlands16
  • Russia18+
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 77% of all filmsHeavier than 62% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 48%
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 85%
Profanity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 63%
Alcohol & Drugs
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 77%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 33%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Heavy almost across the board: language, violence, sexual content, and drug and alcohol content. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Our Kind of Traitor have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Our Kind of Traitor?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Ewan McGregor
as Perry
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Stellan Skarsgård
as Dima
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Damian Lewis
as Hector
Naomie Harris
as Gail
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jeremy Northam
as Aubrey Longrigg
Khalid Abdalla
as Luke
Mark Gatiss
as Billy Matlock
Saskia Reeves
as Tamara
Alicia von Rittberg
as Natasha
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Alec Utgoff
as Niki

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Our Kind of Traitor?

Movies like Our Kind of Traitor include A Most Wanted Man (2014), Phantom (2015) and Torn Curtain (1966). Of the 12 closest matches, most are political thrillers, and most are stories about unlikely alliances.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its story type: espionage. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Our Kind of Traitor?

832 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: spy. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.