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Biographical thriller

Official Secrets (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Official Secrets (2019) movie poster

Official Secrets is a 2019 biographical thriller directed by Gavin Hood, starring Keira Knightley as Katharine Gun, Jack Farthing and Monica Dolan. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $10.1 million worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best International Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2021. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
82%
worldwide gross
$10.1M
award nomination
1
Official Secrets (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Director
Gavin Hood
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Official Secrets About?

The premise of Official Secrets without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

As Britain prepares for war in Iraq, intelligence specialist Katharine Gun uncovers a classified memo detailing a US plan to pressure UN leaders into supporting the invasion. Driven by her conscience, she bravely leaks the document, exposing potential corruption within the government and risking severe repercussions. Her actions spark an international crisis and put her own safety in jeopardy, challenging the justifications for the impending conflict.

Official Secrets Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • whistleblower
  • british politics
  • cafe
  • spy
  • courtroom
  • husband wife relationship
  • judge
  • lawyer
  • year 2003
  • watching tv
  • united nations security council
  • underground parking garage
+38 more
  • politics
  • london england
  • british government
  • cell phone
  • mobile phone
  • telephone
  • telephone call
  • translator
  • coworker coworker relationship
  • computer
  • year 2004
  • united nations
  • newspaper
  • blackmail
  • london observer the newspaper
  • arrest
  • deportation
  • top secret
  • government communications headquarters
  • gchq
  • subtitled scene
  • overhead camera shot
  • investigation
  • archive footage
  • prologue
  • epilogue
  • what happened to epilogue
  • legal
  • trial
  • surveillance
  • mass surveillance
  • female protagonist
  • 2000s
  • true crime
  • political thriller
  • based on book
  • washington d.c.
  • intrigue
Where to watch

Where to Watch Official Secrets

Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Official Secrets Cast & Characters

Keira Knightley leads the cast as Katharine Gun, with Jack Farthing as Andy Dumfries and Monica Dolan as Fiona Bygate. Directed by Gavin Hood; 17 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Official Secrets

· 13 more
Ratings

Official Secrets Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Official Secrets 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

70 /100

Official Secrets Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s principal strength lies in its committed portrayals and its timely exploration of whistleblowing, though its narrative momentum occasionally feels uneven. Critical and audience feedback highlights strong lead performances set against a methodical, sometimes plodding pace. Viewers appreciate its thoughtful examination of moral courage, even as procedural elements weigh on dramatic engagement. Overall, the movie delivers a solid account of its true-life events with an assured tone, yet stops short of sustained suspense or dynamism.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates professional production design and restrained cinematography. Direction maintains a measured tempo that underscores the story’s seriousness, though it sometimes reads as overly drab. Editing is competent, facilitating clear narrative transitions but offering few moments of stylistic flair. Overall, the visual presentation is solid and serviceable, fitting the subject without drawing attention away from the central drama.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, lead performances are notably assured, lending depth to Katharine Gun’s moral journey. Supporting actors bring moments of intensity, creating a cohesive ensemble dynamic. Emotional resonance is sustained by nuanced portrayals rather than overt dramatics, even if the protagonist occasionally appears reactive to external forces. Ultimately, the film’s strength lies in its sympathetic and credible character interpretations, which anchor the story’s ethical stakes.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative delivers a coherent recounting of real events with clear stakes and contextual framing. Pacing is deliberate, allowing for informational depth but at times veering into plodding stretchers and familiar procedural beats. Plot coherence remains intact, though occasional journalistic conventions feel overused. The result is an engaging yet moderately uneven storyline that rewards interest in political intrigue but may underwhelm viewers seeking taut dramatic propulsion.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of sensory experience, the score provides an ominous undercurrent that heightens key moments without overpowering dialogue. Sound design is clean and purposeful, emphasizing quiet tension over bombastic effects. Visual style favors an understated palette and straightforward framing that support the film’s serious tone. While the sensory elements rarely surprise, they combine to create a cohesive atmosphere that sustains viewer attention and complements the narrative focus.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    As for rewatch factor, the film’s thought-provoking subject matter and solid performances offer reasons for repeat viewings. However, the procedural emphasis and moderate pacing may limit its replay appeal for those seeking dynamic suspense. Viewers invested in the historical context or character study may revisit key scenes, but the absence of heightened thrills or novel stylistic elements suggests modest long-term pull. Overall, the movie retains interest primarily through its thematic relevance.

Plot

Official Secrets Plot Summary

What happens in Official Secrets from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film presents the gripping true story of Katharine Gun, portrayed by Keira Knightley, a dedicated employee of GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters), who in 2004 courageously leaked a classified memo. This document revealed an illegal spying operation orchestrated by the United States to gather compromising information on United Nations diplomats who were set to vote on a crucial resolution concerning the impending invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Full summary

The whole story of Official Secrets, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Official Secrets Box Office

Official Secrets grossed $10.1 million worldwide. $2 million came from the US and Canada and $7.5 million (79%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$10.1M

US & Canada
$2M
International
$7.5M
US & Canada 21% Rest of the world 79%
Awards

Official Secrets Awards & Nominations

Official Secrets earned 1 award nomination, including Best International Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2021.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Official Secrets Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Official Secrets.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Official Secrets?

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 main character that leaks the classified memo?

Cars

Cars in Official Secrets

7 cars on screen, including the 1989 Volkswagen Golf II Typ 19E and the Land-Rover Defender 110.

All 7 cars
  • 1989 Volkswagen Golf II Typ 19E in Official Secrets 1989 Volkswagen Golf II Typ 19E Main role
  • Land-Rover Defender 110 in Official Secrets Land-Rover Defender 110 Minor role
  • 1999 BMW 7 E38 in Official Secrets 1999 BMW 7 E38 Background role
  • 2002 Honda Jazz in Official Secrets 2002 Honda Jazz Background role
Details

Official Secrets Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “Государственная тайна” and “오피셜 시크릿”.

Also known as
  • Государственная тайна
  • 오피셜 시크릿
  • Официални тайни
  • Official Secrets - Gefährliche Wahrheit
  • Veřejné lži
  • Secrete oficiale
  • Опасные секреты
  • Secretos de estado
  • Κρατικά Μυστικά
  • Segredos Oficiais
  • סודות מדינה
  • 官方机密
+20 more
  • Държавни тайни
  • Official Secrets - Segreto di stato
  • Státní tajemství
  • Brudna gra
  • Vieša paslaptis
  • Resmi Sırlar
  • Hivatali titkok
  • Valdības noslēpumi
  • 瞞天機密
  • Званичне тајне
  • Rasmiy sirlar
  • Державні таємниці
  • Bí Mật Che Giấu
  • รัฐบาลซ่อนเงื่อน
  • اسرار رسمی, ოფიციალური საიდუმლოებები
  • オフィシャル・シークレット
  • 官謊真相
  • Secrets d'Estat
  • Uradne skrivnosti
  • الأسرار الرسمية

Seen Official Secrets?

FAQ

Official Secrets FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Official Secrets, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Official Secrets?

Official Secrets runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

When was Official Secrets released?

Official Secrets was released on August 30, 2019.

Who directed Official Secrets?

Official Secrets was directed by Gavin Hood.

More films by Gavin Hood

Who is in the cast of Official Secrets?

Official Secrets stars Keira Knightley as Katharine Gun, Jack Farthing as Andy Dumfries and Monica Dolan as Fiona Bygate, among 17 credited actors.

Where can I watch Official Secrets?

In the US, Official Secrets is streaming on AMC Plus, AMC+ and Kanopy and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Official Secrets make at the box office?

Official Secrets grossed $10.1 million worldwide ($2 million domestic, $7.5 million international).

How is Official Secrets rated?

Official Secrets has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Was Official Secrets nominated for any awards?

Official Secrets received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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