You know this movie has hit a nerve when the Russian bots spend time to come on IMDB to trash the movie as the worst movie in the history of film making. So thinned skinned!

The film is fascinating and Jennifer Lawrence was exquisite. Her range from naive ballerina, to hardened spy, to ingenius triple crosser is magnificent. Joel Edgerton has indisputably been handed the baton as the most talented actor in Hollywood. He also does not disappoint with this role: he is tough, tender, and believable. I can't imagine another actor who could have filled this part as well as Edgerton.

I have not read the book, but the screenplay is well done - the pace of the story is captivating, each of the characters are fully developed and introduced cleverly to the audience, even when only getting limited screen time. It is fascinating how the story gets wrapped up in the end and you are in a cliffhanger throughout.

It has been decades since a really good Cold War Thriller has come out (Robert Redford Spy Games?? The Good Shepherd???) and this one is timely with the current compromise of so many in the immediate circle of the present administration. You get a peek behind the curtain of the ugly side of world affairs in this film. The use of "Sparrows" by the Russians is such a fascinating subplot.

My only question is how did Dominika find ziplocks in Budapest (or was it Moscow? I can't remember the location of the uncle's apartment).

The editing, staging and camera angles were also exceptional - when Dominika meekly walks to her first "appointment" at the hotel bar, you could feel her tension and nerves. The camera angles and the silence of just her heels on the marble floor. So many excellent scenes throughout the film that were expertly woven together.

The trailer gives away nothing which is also a great thing!

If you enjoy Jennifer Lawrence, if you are a history buff, fascinated with the current affairs of US-Russian relations, or if you just like a good action film with a wild ending, add this to your watch list.