“Argylle” is a 2024 spy action comedy helmed and produced by Matthew Vaughn, with Jason Fuchs handling the screenplay. The movie boasts an ensemble cast, including Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa, Ariana DeBose, John Cena, and Samuel L. Jackson. The storyline revolves around a secluded author who finds herself embroiled in the world of espionage when she discovers that the plot of her latest spy novel mirrors real-life events.
Filmed across Europe from August to December 2021, “Argylle” premiered at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London on January 24, 2024. Subsequently, it hit theaters in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2024, followed by a release in the United States on February 2, 2024, distributed by Universal Pictures and Apple Original Films. Despite an impressive ensemble and production efforts, the film received predominantly negative reviews from critics and earned approximately $96 million worldwide, falling short of its $200 million budget.
CHARACTERS
- Bryce Dallas Howard portrays Elly Conway.
- Sam Rockwell plays the character Aidan Wilde.
- Bryan Cranston takes on the role of Director Ritter.
- Catherine O’Hara appears as Ruth.
- Henry Cavill stars as Argylle.
- Louis Partridge depicts young Argylle.
- Sofia Boutella portrays Saba Al-Badr.
- Dua Lipa is cast as LaGrange.
- Ariana DeBose plays the character Keira.
- John Cena appears as Wyatt.
- Samuel L. Jackson depicts Alfie.
STORYLINE
Elly Conway, a shy novelist specializing in spy thrillers, finds herself grappling with writer’s block as she nears completion of her fifth book featuring Aubrey Argylle, the protagonist of her popular series. Feedback from her mother, Ruth, exacerbates her creative struggles. During a train journey to visit her parents, Elly encounters a real-life spy named Aidan Wilde, who intervenes when she becomes the target of an ambush. Aidan discloses to Elly that a sinister organization called the Division is after her because her novels eerily predict their nefarious schemes. He convinces Elly to join him on a quest to thwart the Division’s plans, hoping that her next book will hold vital clues. In London, Elly and Aidan embark on a quest to locate a mysterious artifact known as the “Masterkey,” referenced in Elly’s writings as a means to expose the Division. Doubtful of Aidan’s intentions, Elly reaches out to her parents for assistance, only to discover that they are operatives of the Division. Forced to defend themselves, Elly and Aidan escape to France, where they encounter Alfie Solomon, a former CIA deputy director. Alfie reveals a startling truth to Elly: she is not merely a novelist but a covert operative named Rachel Kylle, brainwashed by the Division years ago. Her parents, Margaret Vogeler (Ruth) and Director Ritter (Barry), were part of her fabricated reality. Elly learns that her novels are based on suppressed memories, with Aidan and Alfie emerging as characters from her past. Together, they race against time to retrieve the Masterkey, eventually confronting the Division in the Arabian Peninsula. Ritter betrays Elly, leading to a showdown where Aidan is seemingly killed. However, he survives, and with Rachel’s help, they dismantle the Division’s stronghold, aided by Alfie’s intervention. Ruth, manipulated by the Division, meets her demise at the hands of Keira, a former colleague presumed dead.
As the dust settles, Rachel resumes her life as a novelist, sharing her experiences in her final Argylle novel. In a surprising twist, the real Argylle materializes at one of her book readings, challenging Rachel’s perception of reality. A revealing mid-credits scene unveils Argylle’s origins as a Kingsman agent, shedding light on the inspiration behind Elly’s fictional creation.
