Red Joan

Red Joan

To change the world, she betrayed her country

Directed by Trevor Nunn

Produced by Trademark Films, Cambridge Picture Company

2018101 min6.6 / 10

A historical spy thriller that traces an elderly woman's arrest back through her idealistic youth, exploring the moral complexities of Cold War espionage and the cost of conviction.

London, England, May 2000. The peaceful life of elderly Joan Stanley is suddenly disrupted when she is arrested by the British Intelligence Service and accused of providing information to communist Russia during the forties.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Is Red Joan sad? Somewhat. More sad than 70% of films.

  • Is Red Joan scary? Not especially. Less frightening than 65% of films.

  • Is Red Joan violent? Not especially. Less violent than 64% of films.

  • Does Red Joan end with hope? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is Red Joan easy watching? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

59/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity73

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise55

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love50

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like Red Joan, and what each one shares →

Like Red Joan

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Red Joan

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Red Joan, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Red Joan, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Red Joan, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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