What Is Crossplot About?
The premise of Crossplot in 271 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bright, kinetic world of 1960s London, the city’s glossy storefronts and buzzing cafés provide a perfect backdrop for the high‑stakes world of advertising. Gary Fenn is a sharply dressed, self‑confident playboy who runs a successful agency with the same swagger he uses in romance. His instincts are as keen as his charm, and he thrives on orchestrating perfect campaigns the way a conductor leads an orchestra—every detail measured, every note hitting its mark. The bustling capital, with its mix of avant‑garde art, swinging fashions, and whispered political undercurrents, feels like a stage where ambition and danger can mingle unnoticed.
When a striking Hungarian model is hired for a high‑profile shoot, Marla Kugash steps onto the scene, bringing an exotic allure that instantly captures Gary’s attention. Beneath her poised exterior, she carries the weight of a secret she has unintentionally overheard—a murmur of an assassination plot that could upend the fragile peace of the era. Their professional collaboration quickly turns personal, as Gary’s natural curiosity and protective instincts draw him deeper into a world he never imagined existed beyond glossy print ads and client meetings.
The discovery thrusts the pair into a relentless cat‑and‑mouse chase through London’s labyrinthine streets, from smoky underground clubs to posh country estates. Ruthless pursuers shadow their every move, turning the city’s glamorous façade into a maze of tension and intrigue. Amidst the vintage cars, neon signs, and ever‑present hum of a metropolis on the brink of change, Gary and Marla must rely on wit, charm, and sheer daring to stay one step ahead, forging an uneasy partnership that hints at both danger and unexpected alliance.
What Happens in Crossplot?
The complete story of Crossplot, from the first scene to the last, in 301 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Gary Fenn, Roger Moore, is an advertising executive in a bustling London agency who maps out a meticulous plan to identify the perfect target and orchestrate events so that only one girl will satisfy his boss—the Hungarian Marla Kugash Claudie Lange. He spots her among the anti-war movement in the bohemian depths of Swinging London, where she moves in the company of a young man, Tarquin Alexis Kanner, whose protectiveness toward her borders on aggression toward Fenn and heightens the tension around their encounter.
The young Hungarian, an illegal refugee from her homeland, accompanies Fenn to a photoshoot, where she confesses she fears for her life and seems unsettled by the ever-present shadow of her aunt. Soon after, she is nearly killed, and she drops out of sight, leaving Fenn to go on the run himself, suddenly a suspect in a separate murder. His search leads him to a country house that turns out to be Tarquin’s residence, revealing an aristocratic side to the man who seems to stand in contrast to his anti-war rhetoric.
As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that Marla’s aunt is part of a shadowy organization intent on destabilizing the existing world order, willing to go to extreme lengths to silence Fenn and Marla. Their pursuit even includes sending a helicopter after the duo, escalating the danger and the clock they race against. Fenn and his ally manage to escape back to London, where they uncover the movement’s plan to assassinate a visiting African head of state in Hyde Park. In a tense confrontation of wit and nerve, they manage to foil the plot and expose the sinister scheme lurking beneath the surface of a world seemingly at peace, leaving a lasting impression of espionage, danger, and the high-stakes world of political intrigue in the city.
Crossplot Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Target chosen: Marla Kugash” to “Plot foiled in Hyde Park”. 10 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
Target chosen: Marla Kugash
Gary Fenn, a London advertising executive, identifies Marla Kugash as the perfect target for his boss's scheme. He calculates a sequence of events designed to make her indispensable to the plan. He spots Marla among the anti-war crowd in Swinging London, recognizing her as the key to the manipulation.
Where:London
- 2
Marla spotted in Swinging London
Fenn watches Marla within the anti-war crowd and notes the danger surrounding her. Tarquin, a fiercely protective young man, confronts Fenn and makes his hostility clear. The encounter establishes a tense dynamic around Marla and hints at the levels of risk involved.
Where:Swinging London
- 3
Photoshoot with Marla
Marla accompanies Fenn to a photoshoot, stepping into the public eye under their watchful eyes. She reveals a brittle calm and seems to be bracing for something ominous. The shoot becomes a charged backdrop that foreshadows the danger closing in.
Where:London studio
- 4
Marla reveals her fear
Marla admits she fears for her life and appears unsettled by her aunt’s presence. The confession deepens the sense that she is not merely a model but a person being hunted. The tension between personal fear and public appearance drives the next moves.
Where:London studio
- 5
Marla vanishes after a near-death incident
During a critical moment, Marla is nearly killed, and she vanishes from sight. Fenn becomes a fugitive himself, suspected of a different murder. He must go on the run to protect both himself and Marla.
Where:London
- 6
Marla found at Tarquin’s country house
Fenn tracks the missing Marla to a country house, only to discover it is Tarquin’s home. He realizes that Marla is being kept under the protection of Tarquin, the aristocrat who clashes with his anti-war image. The setting reveals a loaded fight between personal loyalties and political beliefs.
Where:Tarquin's country house
- 7
Tarquin's aristocracy and anti-war stance
It is revealed that Tarquin is an aristocrat who hides anti-war sentiments beneath his refined facade. His status adds a layer of danger and privilege to the pursuit. The dynamic shows that Marla’s safety is entangled with a world of power and privilege.
Where:Tarquin's estate
- 8
Aunt revealed as a shadowy operative
Marla's aunt is revealed to be part of a shadowy organization intent on destabilising the existing world order. The group is willing to go to any lengths to shut Fenn and Marla up, using machinations that stretch beyond personal grudges. The revelation reframes the danger as a global conspiracy.
- 9
Helicopter chase to silence them
Facing the threat, the organization orders a helicopter chase to silence them. The pursuit heightens the stakes, turning everyday danger into a high-stakes escape. Fenn and Marla must outrun both human agents and aircraft.
- 10
Escape back to London
Fenn and his ally manage to escape back to London, realizing that they are still pursued. They reconnect with familiar streets and begin to map out their next moves. The return to the city marks a shift from hiding to active resistance.
Where:London
- 11
Conspiracy targets Hyde Park
They learn that the shadowy movement plans to assassinate a visiting African head of state in Hyde Park. The plan would destabilise international relations and trigger a crisis. The revelation sets the stage for a decisive confrontation.
Where:Hyde Park, London
- 12
Plot foiled in Hyde Park
Fenn and his ally work to derail the assassination plot and foil the conspiracy. They confront the conspirators, leveraging the information they have gathered. In a tense climax, they prevent the head of state’s assassination and avert chaos.
Where:Hyde Park, London
Who Are the Main Characters in Crossplot?
3 characters, among them Gary Fenn (Roger Moore), Marla Kugash (Claudie Lange) and Tarquin (Alexis Kanner): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Gary Fenn (Roger Moore)
Played by Roger Moore
An advertising executive who engineers events to please his boss, yet finds himself entangled in a murder accusation and a high-stakes chase. His calculated mindset and willingness to manipulate circumstances drive the plot, even as he battles to protect Marla. He navigates a murky moral landscape, balancing self-interest with the mission to expose the conspiracy.
- 💼 Protagonist
- 🕵️♂️ Manipulator
- 🧭 Self-preservation
- MK
Marla Kugash (Claudie Lange)
Played by Claudie Lange
A Hungarian refugee drawn into a dangerous political intrigue and the anti-war movement. She is fearful for her life and wary of her aunt, whose connections pull them deeper into the conspiracy. Marla's resilience and vulnerability anchor the emotional core of the story as she navigates danger and loyalty.
- 🧳 Refugee
- 🧠 Cautious
- 🎯 Target
- T(
Tarquin (Alexis Kanner)
Played by Alexis Kanner
An aristocrat who outwardly opposes war but becomes a pivotal figure in Marla's world. Protective of Marla, he embodies the tension between privilege and political motive. Tarquin's involvement reveals the complexity of loyalties within the conspiracy.
- 🏰 Aristocrat
- 🛡️ Protective
- 🧭 Enigmatic
Where and When Is Crossplot Set?
Crossplot is set in London, Swinging London, Hyde Park and country house (1960s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1960s
The film is set in the 1960s, a decade marked by cultural upheaval and anti-war sentiment. Bohemian clubs and social liberalism collide with clandestine political schemes. The action moves between intimate, stylish interiors and public urban spaces, culminating in a high-stakes chase through London.
Where
London, Swinging London, Hyde Park, country house
The story unfolds primarily in London during the 1960s, a time of bohemian artistry and political unrest. Key scenes shift from the anti-war circles of Swinging London to a secluded country house, and later to the bustling streets around Hyde Park. The city’s mix of glamour, danger, and shadowy intrigue provides a tense backdrop for the plot. The setting emphasizes the era’s bold fashion, protests, and orchestrated conspiracies.
- 🗺️ London
- 🕰️ 1960s
- 🎭 Bohemian culture
What Are the Themes of Crossplot?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Conspiracy, Pursuit and Displacement.
-
01
Conspiracy
A shadowy organization aims to destabilize the world order to seize power. The plot hinges on manipulating events and silencing those who know too much, including Marla and Fenn. The danger intensifies with a helicopter pursuit and the plan to assassinate a visiting head of state. The film probes how unseen powers pull strings behind the scenes.
-
02
Pursuit
Fenn finds himself on the run after being implicated in a murder he didn’t commit. The chase threads through urban and rural settings, testing his wit and nerve. The pursuit also forces him to protect Marla from relentless pursuers and a collapsing conspiracy. Tension escalates as allies and intentions blur.
-
03
Displacement
Marla is an illegal refugee whose fear for her life drives much of the narrative. Her unstable situation is exacerbated by the aunt’s shadowy affiliations and the threat of exposure. The story uses displacement to explore vulnerability within political intrigue. Escape becomes essential as their safety hinges on finding asylum and evading assassination.
What Kind of Film Is Crossplot?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Happy
A fast-paced, tense thriller set in the vibrant world of Swinging London, where a charming advertising executive and a model are plunged into a dangerous cat-and-mouse chase to stop a political assassination.
- tense
- suspenseful
- paranoid
- dangerous
- gritty
- playful
- assassination plot
- political thriller
- on the run
- hidden conspiracy
Content notes: attempted murder, political violence.
Where to Watch Crossplot
Stream it on fuboTV and MGM Plus. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
fuboTV 
MGM Plus 
MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel 
MGM+ Amazon Channel 
Philo 
Tubi TV Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
