The Informer (2019) - The Informer (2019) - User Reviews - IMDb
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9/10
One of the best B-grade films I've seen!
Top_Dawg_Critic25 December 2019
I've never heard of this film, nor seen any trailers, so I wasn't expecting much and decided to give it a go since there wasn't anything I haven't already seen to watch. Well, wow!

I'm shocked at some of the negative reviews so far. It goes to show you that you can't please everyone. It's either too Hollywood-ish or not Hollywood enough lol.

Here's why I REALLY liked it; For starters, this is actor Andrea Di Stefano second ever attempt at directing and writing, and compared to some of the films that have come out lately - and from seasoned writer and directors, he nailed it. Was it flawless? No. But considering is wasn't a big budget Hollywood production with seasoned filmmakers and with all lead cast being A-listers, but instead a British-made B-grade film with newb filmmakers, this was produced exceptionally well and is a winner imo.

I found the story very realistic and un-Hollywood-ish, which is refreshing for a change. Sure this story has been done many times before, but this one felt authentic. The last time I saw this type of genre movie that surprised and impressed me, was Shot Caller.

Casting was perfect, with all leads playing their respective roles on point, especially Joel Kinnaman who nailed his character.

Cinematography was great, the score/sound was fitting, and the production/location sets authentic. My only critique would be the pacing needed picking up in some parts, and/or the 113 min run-time trimmed down at least 10-15 mins.

Aside from that, this was one of the best B-grade films I've seen, with its unpredictable plot turn at every corner, excellent central performances, all packaged really well by an newbie filmmaker. It's a solid 9/10 from me!

To see any of my 1000+ ratings and 700+ reviews, click on my username.
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8/10
Really strong narrative with some weak elements, which did not detract from my 'viewing experience.'
therskybznuiss1 June 2021
First of all, I must say, that this movie, a B-movie, with AAA elements, with some expertise takes us as the viewer and drops us into an already well-developed story which has obviously been on-going since well-before we are introduced to Joel' character. It is done quite well as we are dropped into this plot right at a watershed moment as the FBI manipulate and connive their way into complete control with a very realistic, not just lack of care, but straight malcontent for our hero's safety. That's all I will say of the plot, other than how I really admired how each character we are introduced to feel just as well thought out as our main character and how even a character we see only for -45 seconds does, says or even implies something which is crucial in developing the whole story.

This movie reminds me of one of old where it's focus is singular and therefore much stronger in delivering a few, simple messages or invoking a few complex emotion's and I really cared about our hero, his family and even felt compassion for one of the main villains by the end.

I dont know why the pro-review world bombed this so hard. Are they uncomfterble with this movie's (true) statements on the twistedness of law-enforcement corruption which has only evolved terribly into something more undetectable and probably more damaging than that of old?

I don't know, but for a dark movie, released in a crap year with some strong and noble statements, I was quite impressed. And a few weak-performances from one of the cop's (mostly at the beginning) didn''t end up detracting from my enjoyment and I ended up quite enjoying this flick.
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7/10
Good Story and Suspenseful Ending
I was Surprised by how good this was. It doesn't feel like anything particularly special but it was a good watch.

Great Scene with the police surrounding the Building.
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Not pleasant but gripping, you can't look away.
TxMike27 February 2021
I came across this movie on Amazon streaming, my wife looked at the trailer and chose to skip. It isn't a pleasant, happy movie. It involves characters who are Polish drug smugglers, later characters who are hardened criminals in a large prison. Though it is fiction it all seems very real and very dangerous.

All the actors are fine in their roles, there are crosses and double crosses but in the end there is hope for the "informer" and his young family.

Very well made movie for its genre.
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8/10
I loved this most critics disliked it.
ib011f9545i4 September 2019
If I had read the critics I would have ignored this film.

I read a good review in The Sunday Express and went to see the film and liked it a lot.

I will give no plot spoilers but if you like tough but not dumb crime films you will like this one. It does not have the biggest budget or the biggest action sequences but it is a good film.

The plot is fine but the film also benefits from good locations and a talented cast.

See this if you get the chance I think you will be glad you did.
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9/10
Intense
westsideschl30 March 2021
A quite realistic, intense suspenseful crime script. Well, acted. Solid real world foundation with unexpected twists. None of the usual cheap fillers of unrealistic shoot outs & fight scenes.
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8/10
Gritty emotive crime thriller
muamba_eats_toast3 September 2019
An absorbing thrill ride of a crime thriller. Unlike some reviewers I actually found this well paced with enough twists to keep it interesting and a ruthless violent edge alongside the drama. Was tempted to even rate as a 9 until near the end but I just can't stand open endings to these things no matter how minor unless we know there'll be a sequel I just want to know how the story is resolved fully. Nevertheless one of the better thrillers of the year so far and well worth a watch.
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7/10
Enjoyable thriller
masonsaul4 September 2019
The Informer is an enjoyable and well made thriller, despite the generic plot and some predictable moments. Joel Kinnaman gives a great lead performance with good supporting performances from Common, Rosamund Pike, Clive Owen and Ana de Armas. It's also well paced with an intense fight scene and tense gunfight in the third act.
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7/10
Our Man on the Inside
lavatch7 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
"I'm a snitch," proclaims the protagonist, Pete Koslow, as he is struggling to save his life after willingly going to prison at the insistence of the feds to break up a drug ring.

As a result of almost everyone he encounters, Pete is betrayed as he looks for a way out of the Kafkaesque situation in which he is trapped. The former vet yearns to live with his loving wife Sofia and their daughter Anna. But he is at odds with both the Polish drug cartel run by the oily "General" and the FBI led by the corrupt and especially loathsome Keith Montgomery.

A star-studded cast with Clive Owen as Montgomery, Rosamund Pike as Agent Wilcox, Anna de Armas as Sofia, and Common as Detective Grens complement the work of Joel Kinnaman as Pete Koslow. It is only the street smart New York detective who sizes up the total picture and becomes a genuine ally of Koslow.

There was some good footage of New York and an especially gruesome prison environment. Koslow's escape plan is both daring and inventive. The direction from Andrea Di Stefano was crisp. It was only disappointing that there was no closure on the capture of the General and end of his drug dealing days. Perhaps the filmmakers had that component of the action in mind for a sequel.
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8/10
In too deep
kosmasp15 January 2020
Sometimes you dig yourself into a hole. Many times others help with the digging. Question is, are you able to come out of it? When is the point you should realize you should stop digging? And are you even able to stop? Questions that might break the movie, but you should not be too harsh with it.

The acting is really good, the story holds up (if you overlook the obvious holes in the story that is), tension is quite good. A thriller that ticks all the right boxes and should be able to rub you the right way.
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8/10
Impressive. I was simply browsing for movies, when I hit upon this one and it has got a full on suspenseful story, with great acting performances.
imseeg20 April 2020
Heavy mother of a movie, with short moments of heinous violence and which is generally a gripping, bleak thriller about a snitch trying to do everything to save his own life.

The good: the story is TRUE TO LIFE. Not a crowd pleaser, but certainly still worth watching for those who like to see a bleak gangster thriller, with an intelligent plot. Good acting performances by the leading actors.

Any bad? A few supporting actors were mediocre and a bit irritating to watch. Some of the plot turns were not very believable. Because of these (smaller) faults, it falls short of becoming a true gangster classic. Nevertheless I am quite impressed with this movie, which I accidentally bumped in to...
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8/10
Strong crime thriller / drama
jeff-17941 September 2019
If you go into this expecting a $100 million action blockbuster you will be dissapointed. What this film delivers is a solid crime drama with some gritty and tense action scenes. A strong lead performance by Joel Kinnaman holds the story together and the film moves swiftly at a pace that never drags. If you want a film that gives you actual story over mindless hollywood CGI action, then give this one a chance.
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9/10
Good old fashioned crime drama
mats_westerberg22 February 2020
If you're born in the seventies and miss how movies used to be like, you'll like this one.
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9/10
Loved it
jewelch8 January 2021
Wow great action, a little unbelievable at times but that makes for good watching. Yes I recommend it. James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 1/8/2021
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8/10
A decent movie
gluonpaul7 September 2019
This is not normally my kind of movie but I quite enjoyed it. The characters all felt pretty realistic, the actors all did a decent job and the story was compelling.

It did feel a bit slow at points and I think maybe a little careful trimming could have done the film some good but even so it keeps you engaged and doesnt leave itself too open to easy prediction as you watch.

Worth a watch I would say.
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10/10
Fantastic drama thriller
imdb-ikysmoviedatabase2 September 2019
If you like action films with good story plus good acting this is the one for you. Personally I really enjoyed this movie and I would go again to it.
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8/10
Great acting, tight script, gritty
tobycross30 August 2019
What a nice change to get away from the 'typical' Holywood action flick and to get into a grittier, morally ambiguous, uncompromising drama. Rosamund Pike continues to prove what a great actor she is with a performance that echoes her character in Beirut. Joel Kinnaman gives a performance that is just as conflicted and compelling as Altered Carbon. Altogether a great cast that manages to build realistic characters. My only criticism of the script is the overly detailed explanation of fentanyl that Pike gives to her team on FBI agents - it's the only point where you feel the film patronises the audience. Other than that, a thoroughly enjoyable movie.
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7/10
Thumbs up
seanroger-829638 August 2020
I didn't know what to expect with this movie as I had no previous exposure to it or even it's trailer. I saw the cast and there was enough familiar actors to get my attention. I think the movie was mostly realistic and believable. The acting was good from most.
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6/10
Good film let down by an obvious and weak ending.
coombsstephen5 September 2019
If you have seen the trailer this film does what it says on the tin. It is a decent cop/bad guy film that is a little different in its storyline.

The film rattles along a decent pace and has some good scenes. There is some quite good suspense and action along the way as well.

Where the film is let down is the ending is just so clear, aside from a tiny twist, from about half way through the film and even then, when it happens it's quite a damp squib. There are also parts of the story that just don't stack up, which is a shame as it has good potential.
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7/10
Great crime thriller
koenbeerens-1518824 April 2020
Not perfect, but great movie overall. If at the end you have the feeling you're only 45 mins in, the movie did what it was supposed to do.

I could whine about some details not so plausible, but they never break the story. So great work for the whole crew.
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6/10
OUTSTANDING CRIME THRILLER WITH AN OUTSTANDING JOEL KINNAMAN
lukem-5276020 January 2020
WOW!!! what an intense & gripping Crime Thriller "The Informer" is & i was totally engrossed by it's realism & suspenseful story!!!

Now i have to say how I'm a huge fan of the excellent "Joel Kinnaman" to me he's the absolute best of the "New" wave of actors out there, he's the absolute best of the bunch by that he's better than Ryan Reynolds, Chris Pine, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Chris Evans, Stephen Amell, Ryan Gosling & many more, this guy Kinnaman is one intense & fantastic actor & i loved him in the underrated but excellent "Suicide Squad" & the fantastic "Run All Night" & even as the new "Robocop" i love his work & he is a "Movie Star" with an intense presence on screen. Here the excellent Kinnaman plays an ex-con named "Pete Koslow" who has to help the FBI put away a polish Druglord but he gets into a hell of a lot of danger when an undercover Cop gets killed & he has to go back to prison, that's a little bit of the big complex story, just watch the incredible performances from Kinnaman, Common & Roseamund Pike, all give it their all in this gritty & incredibly intense Crime Thriller, there's Corruption here & a harsh reality to this movie, it's totally believable & you really feel for Kinnaman as Pete as he has a wife & a little girl, so the stakes are high here & the drama is engulfing. Kinnaman & Rapper turned excellent Actor, Common both also starred together in the Liam Neeson Crime Thriller Run All Night, also an incredible film.
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7/10
Made better by Kinnaman ... it makes up for all the cliched ordinariness
stevojaxon26 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Reformed man loves his family; goes straight; betrayed by the system designed to protect us; reformed man is triumphant and the bad system man is punished. The end. Unfortunately this is a common theme coming out of the grinder of movie production. In this story, FBI man betrays bad man who is trying to do the right thing by his family. Nasty FBI man, shame on you. Fortunately nice FBI lady has a conscience and gets it sorted. I like anything with Kinnaman because it can mask a weak story or a poor production. Not that this film suffers from either, it's just that he is a good actor and hypnotizes me into believing I have seen a good movie or have even enjoyed it. So I enjoyed this flick even if I can't remember what it was about because it starred the Kinnaman.
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5/10
Not good, not bad, just mediocre.
sbweightman30 August 2019
An unremarkable action thriller which isn't particularly good or bad, just mediocre. It's a bit boring at times, a bit too cliché at times and a bit implausible at times, but the story is gritty, the action scenes are well put together and the acting and characters are good, if a bit 1 dimensional.
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9/10
Good,tight,old-fashioned thriller.
mikekisil9 September 2019
Great, absorbing thriller with good guys, bad guys and guys somewhere in the middle. Sicario 2 was the last one that I enjoyed as much as this. It was like reading an Elmore Leonard story but without the humour. I understand that the UK did a good job of standing in for New York. What a surprise because it did feel like the Big Apple. I liked the flow of the film. You did not always follow what was going on - I'm still not sure of the role played by the drugs in the tulips - but the scenes did not linger. The film was a little open-ended. If the make The Informer 2, I would buy a ticket for it.
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9/10
Great thriller - back on form
Padreviews31 August 2019
From the team that brought you Sicario comes another drug fuelled thriller with an amazing cast although set in the USA was filmed on location in the UK And is a UK production .

Rosamund Pike plays 'Emily Blunt' who was missing from Sicario 2 hence why that was so poor in comparison to the first .

This one is based on the Polish mafia operating in NYC .

Good tension , good story , great acting , stand out performance for me was the rapper Common as the NYPD detective with the street cred and look to make him a star in his own right .

Central to the theme was family and the love of man for his wife and daughter and vice versa caught up in a web of crime he never deserved to be in .

It's one those films where the natural good guys and bad guys were twisted to make it more interesting

An enjoyable film with a little bit of violence but appropriate to the plot .

Worth seeing .

Pad.A 9/10
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