Little Nikita 1988

River Phoenix delivers a captivating performance as Jeffrey Nicolas Grant, a restless high school student eagerly pursuing his dream of flying by applying to the prestigious Air Force Academy. Living in the idyllic suburbs of San Diego alongside his parents, who own a flourishing garden center, Jeff’s life seems idyllic and secure. However, everything changes when FBI Agent Roy Parmenter, portrayed by Sidney Poitier, is assigned to carry out a routine background check on him.

As Roy delves into Jeff’s history, he uncovers disturbing evidence that points to the possibility that the Grants are actually sleeper agents for the Soviet Union. Although he finds no definitive proof of wrongdoing, Roy becomes increasingly fixated on revealing the truth. He decides to move in next door, integrating himself into the Grant family’s daily lives and slowly focusing his suspicions on Jeff.

At first, Jeff is doubtful of Roy’s accusations, but he eventually discovers the chilling reality that even his name, Jeffrey Nicolas Grant, is an alias. His true identity is Nikita, and the life he thought he knew is nothing more than an elaborate deception. Roy shares with Jeff the harrowing backstory that fuels his investigation: the tragic murder of his partner at the hands of a rogue Soviet agent known as ‘Scuba’, played by Richard Lynch. This notorious killer has been systematically eliminating KGB operatives for over twenty years.

As the tension rises, Jeff finds himself in grave danger when he is captured by the relentless Soviet spy-catcher Konstantin Karpov, portrayed by Richard Bradford, aboard the San Diego Trolley, bound for Mexico. Meanwhile, Roy is hot on their trail, culminating in a tense confrontation with Karpov at gunpoint. The climax of this high-stakes situation occurs as they near the border, allowing Karpov and ‘Scuba’ to slip away into Mexico, while the Grant family remains safely behind in the United States, left to grapple with the shocking revelations that have shattered their lives.