19 Spy thrillers that depict espionage with uber style

Spy thrillers are one of the most intriguing genres as they have all the elements for a perfect show or movie. Over-the-top stunts, a charismatic lead agent, a deadly villain, and high-octane fights and chases. But if these movies or shows include a touch of style, either through scenic backdrops, stylish fights, or casting, things go up a notch. Here are 19 spy thrillers that depict the deadly world of espionage with panache.

1. Atomic Blonde

Starring Charlie Theron, this spy action thriller is based on a graphic novel. Set amidst the eve of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the film is about a spy (Theron), who must find a list of covert agents who are being smuggled into the West. The popular movie has plenty of style as a bold and daring Theron takes the lead. With the neon environment of Berlin and snappy fighting sequences, this is a must-watch.

2. The Beekeeper

This spy action thriller directed by David Ayer, stars Jason Statham and revolves around a former agent Adam (Statham), who used to work for a top-secret spy agency. But he must delve back into action when his kind-hearted landlady becomes the victim of a phishing scam. The fanciful thriller has stylized martial arts scenes and features the dependable Statham, who provides style and charm.

3. Back in Action

Directed by Seth Gordon and starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx, this spy action comedy is about two former CIA spies and a couple, Emily (Diaz) and Matt (Foxx), who must reenter the dangerous world of espionage after their secret identities are exposed. The movie has loads of hilarious moments but does not dial down on style. Featuring a feisty Diaz and a spunky Foxx, this one has chemistry, deadly action, and insane car-chases.

4. The Night Agent

Based on a novel by Matthew Quirk and starring Gabriel Basso, this spy action thriller is about an FBI agent, Peter (Basso), who is on a mission to uncover a mole in the US government and must also protect a tech CEO, whose life is in danger. The series uncovers the clandestine world of espionage and is full of dangerous twists and turns. But it does it all with style and panache.

5. The Gray Man

Starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, and Ana de Armas, this spy action thriller is based on a novel by Mark Greaney and centers around a CIA agent (Gosling), who must protect himself from a sociopathic ex-CIA agent and mercenary (Evans), after he discovers deadly secrets about corruption. The film is a stylish cat-and-mouse chase as it covers various European cities to deliver high-octane, glamorous action.

6. Mission: Impossible – Fallout

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie and starring Tom Cruise, this spy action thriller has all the elements of a Mission: Impossible movie. The movie revolves around agent Ethan Hunt (Cruise), who must stop a nuclear attack by a terrorist. The franchise is known for stylish over-the-top stunts and scenic backdrops, and this film has it all. From a skydiving scene to a fight on a helicopter, this is one glamorous movie.

7. Red Notice

Starring Ryan Gosling, Dwayne Johnson, and Gal Godot, this spy action comedy movie revolves around an FBI agent, John (Johnson), who has to team up with an art thief, to catch an even more deadly thief. The movie has loads of style as it features a glamorous Gal Godot and centers around bejeweled objects and fancy death-defying stunts.

8. Black Doves

Created by Joe Barton and starring Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw, this spy thriller series is about Helen (Knightley), the wife of the Secretary of State for Defense, who leads a double life as a spy for a spies-for-hire organization. After her lover is killed by the London underworld, she must protect herself from various dangers. The acclaimed series is quirky and stylish and has everything—undercover spies, deadly assassins, and a mysterious murder.

9. Heart of Stone

Directed by Tom Harper and starring Gal Godot and Jamie Dornan, this spy action thriller is about an intelligence operative, Rachel (Gadot), who must protect a mysterious AI program and save it from falling into the enemy’s hands. The stylish movie revolves around a globe-trotting adventure, which adds plenty of style and charisma to the high-stakes mission, which is led by a determined Gadot.

10. The Recruit

Starring Noah Centineo, this spy adventure thriller revolves around a recent graduate, who becomes a CIA lawyer. He is thrust into the world of international conflicts after he helps a woman who is claiming to be a CIA asset with deadly secrets. The movie has stylish sequences of espionage as it features deadly assassins, power games of high-ranking officials, and breaking into a Swiss bank.

11. Treason

Created by Matt Charman and starring Charlie Cox, this British spy thriller revolves around an MI6 agent, Adam (Cox), who finds himself in a world of lies and betrayal when his boss is poisoned and Adam is promoted as the next chief. Even though he is the boss, Adam finds himself struggling over an international conflict after an encounter with a Russian spy. The series has stylish gunfight sequences and depicts the world of high espionage with style.

12. The Union

Starring Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry, this spy action and comedy thriller is about a humble construction worker, Mike (Wahlberg), who finds himself in the stylish yet deadly world of international spies and covert high-risk operations, when his former love, Roxanne (Berry), recruits him for a mission. Full of stylish car chases and an intimidatingly stylish Berry, this one has comedy, style, and thrills.

13. The Angel

Directed by Ariel Vromen and based on a non-fiction book by Uri Bar-Joseph, this Israeli spy thriller stars Marwan Kenzari as the real-life Egyptian diplomat, Ashraf Marwan. The movie provides a fictional account of how Marwan became a double agent for two countries and brokered peace. The film reveals the world of high diplomacy with panache. An engrossing watch.

14. Kingsman: The Secret Service

Based on a comic book series by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, this spy action comedy stars Colin Firth. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, it revolves around an awkward Gary (Taron Egerton), who is recruited by Harry (Firth), into a secret spy organization to tackle a psychopathic eco-terrorist who wants to wipe out humanity to deal with climate change. The stylish action movie has beautifully choreographed scenes like a Church fight, a car chase through London, and more.

15. Skyfall

Based on the novels by Ian Fleming, this spy thriller stars Daniel Craig and is directed by Sam Mendes. A part of the James Bond film series, the acclaimed movie is known for its style, elegance, and international backdrops. The movie once again sees the charismatic spy, Bond (Craig), on a deadly mission across the world as he must uncover a conspiracy after getting an encrypted message. This one is full of style.

16. Killing Eve

Based on a novel series by Luke Jennings and starring Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer, this British spy thriller centers around a bored British intelligence agent, Eve (Oh), who begins a deadly cat-and-mouse chase with an enigmatic assassin, Villanelle (Comer), and the two develop a complex relationship. The stylish series is cleverly written and features backdrops of beautiful cities like Berlin, Paris, and more. Further, Villanelle’s outfits are simply stunning.

17. The Night Manager

This British spy thriller is based on a novel and stars Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman, and others. The acclaimed show is about the night manager of a luxury hotel, Jonathan (Hiddleston), who is a former soldier and is thrust into the world of espionage after he must investigate an illegal arms sale. The series is stylish from its beginning to the end as it features beautiful backdrops, a glamorous cast, and well-choreographed fight sequences.

18. Jack Ryan

Starring John Krasinski, this political spy action thriller revolves around Jack (John), who is a CIA analyst. Jack must tackle a dangerous field mission, which puts him amidst a world of terrorism and destruction. The series is based on the novels by Tom Clancy and has exceptionally choreographed fights and stunts. It also depicts the stylishly dangerous world of espionage and is a well-crafted show.

19. Ghosted

Starring Ana de Armas and Chris Evans, this romantic spy action comedy revolves around Cole (Evans), who has an enigmatic but short-lived encounter with the mysterious Sadie (Ana). However, things take a turn when it is revealed that Sadie is a secret agent and Cole falls into the world of international espionage. The film is stylish, and hilarious, and features scenic backdrops, a glamorous cast, and high-octane fights.