Spy movies consistently achieve success, appealing to a broad audience by offering a mix of elements that moviegoers crave: intrigue, mystique, action and adventure. Introducing a touch of tongue-in-cheek humor further solidifies their potential as great franchises, as evidenced by the enduring popularity of series like 007, Mission: Impossible and Jason Bourne. The genre has adapted to include elements of technology and diverse settings, as well as the presence of charismatic characters, ensuring its attractiveness to a wide and varied audience.

In 2024, we have the new spy film, Argylle. Written by Jason Fuchs and directed by Matthew Vaughn, Argylle is the story of Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard), the introverted author of spy novels based around the characters of Aubrey Argylle (Henry Cavill) and his partner, Woody Wyatt (John Cena).

As she begins writing her fifth book in the series, Elly is caught up in a real-life fiasco when she is almost captured by agents working for a rogue spy agency, led by a man named Ritter (Bryan Cranston). However, she is rescued by Aidan (Sam Rockwell), an undercover agent, who clues Elly in that her books are closely mirroring real-world events, and that her next book might just uncover secrets needed to bring light to Ritter’s shadow organization. With the evil spies on their tail, Elly and Aidan will have to think fast to die another day, all while her pet cat, Alfie, is brought along for the adventure.

Having just watched Argylle, I must express my pleasant surprise. Upon seeing the ensemble cast, my expectations soared as I envisioned the brilliance this film could potentially achieve. Matthew Vaughn, a director with a proven track record, having helmed the Kingsman films, Kick-Ass and X-Men: First Class, possesses a profound understanding of balancing character development with compelling storytelling, seamlessly integrating the right amount of action into his narratives.

Apple Studios would struggle to find a more qualified individual for the task, given Vaughn’s impeccable resume. Combine his expertise with the pure acting talents of the entire ensemble, including Samuel Jackson and Catherine O’Hara, and you have the ingredients for a film that seems destined for success. And this film did not disappoint in that regard.

Where Argylle falls short is in its inability to maintain a firm grip on reality. Throughout the film, Elly frequently experiences hallucinations, envisioning her character, Argylle, in the place of either herself or Aidan. This device conditions the audience not to fully trust everything seen from Elly’s perspective, as her fantasies may involve her fictional man of mystery.

Initially, this works well for the narrative. However, as the film progresses, Argylle loses its narrative cohesion. Fight scenes deviate from Elly’s point of view, becoming even more implausible than those seen in earlier scenes. Instead of becoming more believable, the movie paradoxically becomes increasingly unbelievable, despite the intended opposite trajectory. The supposed explanation for Elly’s supernatural abilities and her knowledge of spy networks doesn’t reconcile with the escalating incredulity of the overall story.

The result is a perplexing and unremedied mess. Even the mid-credit scene adds to the confusion, introducing more questions than answers. Leaving the theater, I found myself perplexed, questioning whether the mental gymnastics required were ultimately worth it.

Argylle secures a rating of three and a half stars out of five. Despite the impressive ensemble cast and its accomplished director, one might anticipate a spy film akin to classics like True Lies or the Jason Bourne series. However, the film’s haphazard bending of reality, while amusing at moments, detracts from the anticipated thrills, resulting in a spy film more aligned with the comedic style of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. Nevertheless, Argylle is worth a watch for its entertainment value and comedic moments. The cast excels in navigating the erratic storyline, but it’s likely a one-time viewing experience for most audiences.