Anna (2019)
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A young Russian woman recruited as a KGB agent must navigate a complex web of double-agency and betrayal to secure her freedom.
The story
In 1990, Anna, a young Russian woman and victim of domestic abuse, seeks an escape from her life. She is recruited by a KGB agent, Alex, who trains her as a field agent. She is told that after five years of service, she will be discharged and can start her life over. However, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the director of the newly renamed SVR-RF, Vassiliev, refuses to honor the original agreement, believing the only path to retirement is death. Anna assumes a new identity as a fashion model in Paris while performing missions, eventually becoming a double agent for the CIA to secure a new life in Hawaii.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1990, Anna, a victim of domestic abuse, is recruited by KGB agent Alex to become a field agent with the promise of freedom after five years. Following the Soviet Union's collapse, the new SVR-RF director, Vassiliev, refuses to release her unless she dies. Anna adopts a persona as a fashion model in Paris while carrying out assassinations. When the CIA discovers her identity, she becomes a double agent for Agent Leonard Miller in exchange for asylum in Hawaii. Miller tasks her with assassinating Vassiliev. After killing him, Anna meets with both Alex and Miller, providing them with information she had stolen. She is then ambushed by her former handler, Olga, who shoots her. However, it is revealed that the body was a double; the real Anna escapes into the sewers. It is ultimately revealed that Olga and Anna conspired to let the CIA believe they were working together, as Olga intended to take Vassiliev's place. Anna leaves a recorded message for Olga, ensuring that if Olga ever betrayed their agreement, evidence of her involvement in the murder would be available.
- Runtime (minutes)
- 119
- Production countries
- France; United States
- Original languages
- English; Russian
- Directors
- Luc Besson
- Writers
- Luc Besson · writer
- Cast and characters
- Sasha Luss · Anna; Luke Evans; Cillian Murphy; Helen Mirren; Alexander Petrov
- Themes
- Identity; Betrayal; Espionage
- Tone and mood
- Action; Stylized
- Setting
- 1990s Russia and Paris
- Premise and plot tags
- Double Agent; Assassination; Cold War
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 40 · scale: 100 · review count: 14; PostTrak · score: 81%
- Production trivia
- The film was produced by Luc Besson and Marc Shmuger.; Principal photography took place in Belgrade, Paris, Moscow, Milan, and Guadeloupe.; The original soundtrack was composed by Éric Serra.
Genres
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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