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Drama thriller

Backstabbing for Beginners (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Backstabbing for Beginners (2018) movie poster

Backstabbing for Beginners is a 2018 drama thriller directed by Per Fly, starring Theo James as Michael, Ben Kingsley and Jacqueline Bisset. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $367,000 worldwide. Critics gave it 41% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
41%
worldwide gross
$367K
Echo Score
30
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Backstabbing for Beginners (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Director
Per Fly
Genres
Drama , History , Thriller
Original language
English
Studio
A24
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Backstabbing for Beginners About?

The premise of Backstabbing for Beginners without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

An idealistic United Nations employee, Michael, finds himself entangled in a dangerous conspiracy when his mentor's true motives are revealed. Investigating the Oil-for-Food Program, he discovers a massive corruption scheme where billions of dollars intended to aid the Iraqi people were diverted by officials. Michael must navigate a treacherous world of deceit and betrayal as he uncovers the shocking extent of the fraud.

Backstabbing for Beginners Themes & Keywords

· 9 tags
  • based on true story
  • conspiracy
  • oil for food program
  • united nations
  • iraq
  • reference to saddam hussein
  • 2003 invasion of iraq
  • reference to the wall street journal
  • reference to wall street journal
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Cast & crew

Backstabbing for Beginners Cast & Characters

Theo James leads the cast as Michael, with Ben Kingsley as Pasha Pasaris and Jacqueline Bisset as Christina Dupre. Directed by Per Fly; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Backstabbing for Beginners

· 6 more
From the director

More from Per Fly

More films directed by Per Fly: Hammarskjöld: Fight for Peace, Waltz for Monica, The Woman Who Dreamed of a Man and The Inheritance.

Full filmography
Ratings

Backstabbing for Beginners Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Backstabbing for Beginners 41% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 30/100, strongest in character & emotion (40) and weakest in rewatch factor (20).

30 /100

Backstabbing for Beginners Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Backstabbing for Beginners struggles with incoherent storytelling and uneven execution. Critics and viewers alike highlight a muddled narrative marred by unresolved plot threads and excessive exposition. The central performances are inconsistent, as Theo James's restrained portrayal lacks energy while Ben Kingsley's dynamic presence cannot fully compensate. Visually, the film relies heavily on dialogue-driven setups without compelling imagery, and the pacing falters under the weight of explanatory scenes. As a result, the overall experience remains disengaging and fails to deliver sustained dramatic impact.

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

  • Art & Craft 30

    Art & Craft suffers from uneven direction and lackluster visual presentation. Critics noted the film's exposition-heavy scenes set in offices, hotels, and cars lack dynamic staging, while the absence of compelling imagery diminishes tension. Even moments of high-stakes peril fail to gain visual momentum. The net impression is a muted visual design that undermines cinematic engagement.

  • Character & Emotion 40

    Character & Emotion falters due to an inert lead performance that contrasts sharply with sporadic dynamic turns. Reviews highlight Theo James's subdued delivery alongside Ben Kingsley's more energetic presence, leading to an imbalanced chemistry. Additionally, unresolved motivations leave several duplicitous characters inadequately explained. Overall, the character portrayals feel uneven and limit emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 35

    Story & Flow is hindered by unresolved narrative threads and pacing issues that result in confusion. Critics describe a muddle of ideas that are never fully explored, while viewers note simplification of complex events that undercuts depth. The film's reliance on explanatory dialogue fails to create coherent momentum. In sum, the plot coherence and engagement are significantly compromised.

  • Sensory Experience 25

    Sensory Experience is constrained by a presentation that emphasizes dialogue over audiovisual impact. The film's sound design and score play a minimal role in heightening tension, and the visual style remains flat throughout. Reviewers point to a flood of words without striking imagery, which reduces immersion. Ultimately, the sensory elements contribute little to dramatic effect.

  • Rewatch Factor 20

    Rewatch Factor is low given the film's lack of memorable visuals and unresolved narrative complexity. Audience members report difficulty recalling character intentions and story details, diminishing incentive for subsequent viewings. The uneven performances and talk-heavy structure offer limited appeal beyond a first watch. Therefore, the movie provides minimal lasting appeal or replay value.

Plot

Backstabbing for Beginners Plot Summary

What happens in Backstabbing for Beginners 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

The film tells the compelling story of Michael Sullivan, a young man whose childhood was marked by the loss of his father, a US State Department diplomat. Leaving behind a promising career at a major bank, he grabs the opportunity of a lifetime to become a diplomat with the United Nations (UN) in the fall of 2002. His journey begins as he is appointed as an assistant to Under-Secretary-General Costa “Pasha” Passaris, who oversees the Oil-for-Food Programme established in 1995. This program was intended to provide humanitarian aid to the citizens of Iraq while preventing oil sales from enriching Saddam Hussein’s regime.

Full summary

The whole story of Backstabbing for Beginners, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Backstabbing for Beginners Box Office

Backstabbing for Beginners grossed $367,000 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$367K

International
$367K
Videos

Backstabbing for Beginners Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Backstabbing for Beginners.

Backstabbing For Beginners | Official Trailer HD | A24
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Backstabbing for Beginners?

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

Who is the protagonist of the film?

Cars

Cars in Backstabbing for Beginners

41 cars on screen, including the 1996 Honda Accord and the AM General HMMWV M1025.

All 41 cars
  • 1996 Honda Accord in Backstabbing for Beginners 1996 Honda Accord Important role
  • AM General HMMWV M1025 in Backstabbing for Beginners AM General HMMWV M1025 Minor role
  • 1987 Audi 80 B3 in Backstabbing for Beginners 1987 Audi 80 B3 Minor role
  • BMW 5 E28 in Backstabbing for Beginners BMW 5 E28 Minor role
Details

Backstabbing for Beginners Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “Dobbeltspil” and “Двойная игра”.

Also known as
  • Dobbeltspil
  • Двойная игра
  • Doble traición
  • Предателство за начинаещи
  • Trahison d'état
  • 백스태빙 포 비기너스
  • 与人为恶
  • Hátbaszúrás kezdőknek
  • Giochi di potere
  • Komplo
  • ล้วงแผนล่าทรยศ
  • Traição para Iniciantes
+7 more
  • סכין בגב למתחילים
  • 暗算
  • Διπλό Παιχνίδι
  • Skandál v OSN
  • El aprendiz del traidor
  • Зрада для початківців
  • Škandál

Seen Backstabbing for Beginners?

FAQ

Backstabbing for Beginners FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Backstabbing for Beginners, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Backstabbing for Beginners?

Backstabbing for Beginners runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).

When was Backstabbing for Beginners released?

Backstabbing for Beginners was released on April 27, 2018.

Who directed Backstabbing for Beginners?

Backstabbing for Beginners was directed by Per Fly.

More films by Per Fly

Who is in the cast of Backstabbing for Beginners?

Backstabbing for Beginners stars Theo James as Michael, Ben Kingsley as Pasha Pasaris and Jacqueline Bisset as Christina Dupre, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Backstabbing for Beginners make at the box office?

Backstabbing for Beginners grossed $367,000 worldwide.

How is Backstabbing for Beginners rated?

Backstabbing for Beginners has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 41% on Rotten Tomatoes, 48 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does Backstabbing for Beginners have a post-credit scene?

No. Backstabbing for Beginners has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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