Secrets of State

Secrets of State

Directed by Philippe Haïm

Produced by UGC Distribution, France 2 Cinéma

2008100 min5.8 / 10

A morally murky espionage thriller that explores the blurred lines between state intelligence and terrorism through the parallel lives of two ruthless operatives.

In France, terrorist groups and intelligence agencies battle in a merciless war everyday, in the name of radically opposed ideologies. Yet, terrorist and secret agents lead almost the same lives. Condemned to secrecy, these masters of manipulation follow the same methods. Alex and Al Barad are two of them. The former is the head of the D.G.S.E.'s (Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure, the French equivalent of the CIA or the MI6) counter-terrorism unit while the latter reigns over a terrorist network, and both fight using the most ruthless of weapons: human beings.

Questions people ask

  • Is Secrets of State scary? Yes, very. More frightening than 94% of films.

  • Does Secrets of State end with hope? Barely. Less hopeful than 83% of films.

  • Is Secrets of State violent? Yes. More violent than 80% of films.

  • Is Secrets of State easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 74% of films.

  • Is Secrets of State sad? Somewhat. More sad than 70% of films.

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.

10/ 100

Cinnamon Score

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

Conventional, and it does not land.

Rarity4

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise14

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love15

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like Secrets of State

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Secrets of State

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Secrets of State, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Secrets of State, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Secrets of State, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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