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Action thriller

Above Suspicion (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Above Suspicion (2021) movie poster

Above Suspicion is a 2021 action thriller directed by Phillip Noyce, starring Jack Huston as Mark Putnam, Sophie Lowe and Emilia Clarke. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes. Critics gave it 26% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
26%
Echo Score
48
Metascore
46
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Above Suspicion (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Phillip Noyce
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Above Suspicion About?

The premise of Above Suspicion without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Based on a true story, an ambitious FBI agent is assigned to a small Kentucky town and develops a complex relationship with a troubled local woman who claims to be an informant. As their affair intensifies, it spirals out of control, leading them both down a perilous path. The situation escalates to a shocking point, ultimately resulting in the conviction of an FBI agent for murder, exposing a devastating chain of events.

Above Suspicion Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • sex scene
  • pikeville kentucky
  • reference to john gotti
  • armed robbery
  • bank robbery
  • bar fight
  • fbi agent
  • voice over narration
  • under arrest
  • sex with a confidential informant
  • pregnant woman
  • cameo appearance by real life subject
+38 more
  • true crime
  • drug addict
  • corrupt fbi agent
  • manslaughter
  • based on the novel of the same name
  • ford mustang convertible
  • lie detector test
  • based on nonfiction novel
  • extramarital affair
  • fbi field office
  • massive unemployment
  • ambulance
  • murder of a pregnant woman
  • unfaithful husband
  • narration from the grave
  • appalachian mountains
  • sheriff's deputy
  • love bite
  • fbi informant
  • female to male foot in crotch
  • epilogue
  • percocet
  • drug party
  • pager
  • kentucky
  • seduction
  • stalker
  • broken neck
  • family relationships
  • story told from different perspectives
  • strip mine
  • 1980s
  • infidelity
  • title co produced by female
  • nepotism
  • oral sex
  • abandoned mine
  • erotic thriller
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Cast & crew

Above Suspicion Cast & Characters

Jack Huston leads the cast as Mark Putnam, with Sophie Lowe as Kathy Putnam and Emilia Clarke as Susan Smith. Directed by Phillip Noyce; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Above Suspicion

· 6 more
From the director

More from Phillip Noyce

More films directed by Phillip Noyce, best-rated first: The Quiet American, Clear and Present Danger, Dead Calm and Patriot Games.

Full filmography
Ratings

Above Suspicion Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Above Suspicion 26% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (35).

48 /100

Above Suspicion Echo Score Breakdown

Above Suspicion delivers a gritty true‑crime premise anchored by Emilia Clarke's committed performance, yet the film struggles to sustain narrative momentum. Critics note uneven direction and a lack of visual distinctiveness, while audience reactions swing between praise for the lead and frustration with the sluggish pacing. The combined effect is a work that offers moments of intrigue but often feels under‑cooked, resulting in a mixed overall impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film appears restrained and occasionally flat. Critics highlight a cold, blue‑steel aesthetic that fails to fully evoke the Appalachian setting, and reviewers point to standard, unremarkable framing. While some technical elements such as production design receive modest acknowledgment, the overall artistic execution lacks the dynamism needed to elevate the material.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character work, Emilia Clarke's portrayal stands out as a nuanced and compelling focal point. Both critics and users commend her ability to convey emotional depth despite limited screen time, and supporting performances are described as solid. Though some reviewers feel secondary characters are under‑developed, the central acting strengths contribute positively to the film's emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 40

    The narrative structure receives mixed feedback, with many finding the plot meandering and the pacing overly deliberate. Critics argue the story's potential is undermined by a delivery that feels more like a factual summary than engaging cinema. Audience comments echo this sentiment, describing the film as slow and at times uninteresting, which detracts from the overall storytelling effectiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    Sensory elements such as sound design and visual style are perceived as serviceable but unremarkable. Reviews note the absence of a distinctive musical score and cite the cinematography as conventional, offering limited atmospheric impact. While technical competence is acknowledged, the sensory experience does not significantly enhance immersion or differentiate the film within its genre.

  • Rewatch Factor 35

    Rewatch value appears limited, as the film's slow tempo and repetitive narrative beats reduce its appeal for multiple viewings. Critics and users alike suggest that the movie lacks memorable moments that would encourage return visits. Although a few viewers express strong admiration, the broader consensus points to a modest likelihood of revisiting the film.

Plot

Above Suspicion Plot Summary

What happens in Above Suspicion from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Based on true events, this explosive film dives into the life of a young and ambitious FBI agent, Mark Putnam, who has just graduated from the academy and is assigned to the troubled mining town of Pikeville in rural Kentucky. This assignment is not just a job; it represents his chance to prove himself in his career while having his wife, Kathy Putnam, by his side. However, things take a complicated turn when he becomes deeply involved with a local woman, Susan Smith, who quickly transitions from just another informant to a central figure in his life.

Full summary

The whole story of Above Suspicion, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Above Suspicion?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the profession of Mark Putnam?

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FAQ

Above Suspicion FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Above Suspicion, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Above Suspicion?

Above Suspicion runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Above Suspicion released?

Above Suspicion was released on May 7, 2021.

Who directed Above Suspicion?

Above Suspicion was directed by Phillip Noyce.

More films by Phillip Noyce

Who is in the cast of Above Suspicion?

Above Suspicion stars Jack Huston as Mark Putnam, Sophie Lowe as Kathy Putnam and Emilia Clarke as Susan Smith, among 10 credited actors.

How is Above Suspicion rated?

Above Suspicion has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 26% on Rotten Tomatoes, 46 on Metacritic and 2.8/5 on Movie Insider.

Does Above Suspicion have a post-credit scene?

No. Above Suspicion has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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