“Argylle” is a 2024 spy action comedy directed and produced by Matthew Vaughn, with a screenplay by Jason Fuchs. The film 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. Its storyline revolves around a withdrawn author who becomes entangled in the world of espionage when she realizes that her latest spy novel mirrors real-life events.
Filming for Argylle took place across Europe from August to December 2021. It made its debut at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London on January 24, 2024, followed by releases in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2024, and in the United States on February 2, 2024, by Universal Pictures and Apple Original Films. Despite a budget of $200 million, the film received generally negative reviews from critics and earned over $96 million worldwide.
CHARACTERS
- Bryce Dallas Howard portrays Elly Conway.
- Sam Rockwell takes on the role of Aidan Wilde.
- Bryan Cranston plays Director Ritter.
- Catherine O’Hara appears as Ruth.
- Henry Cavill stars as Argylle.
- Louis Partridge portrays young Argylle.
- Sofia Boutella depicts Saba Al-Badr.
- Dua Lipa appears as LaGrange.
- Ariana DeBose plays the character Keira.
- John Cena is cast as Wyatt.
- Samuel L. Jackson portrays Alfie.
STORYLINE
Elly Conway, a reserved author of spy novels, struggles to finish her latest book featuring Aubrey Argylle, the central figure of her series, after criticism from her mother, Ruth. During a train trip to see her parents, Elly is rescued from an attack by Aidan Wilde, an actual spy, who informs her that a sinister group called the Division is targeting her due to her novels’ uncanny predictions. Aidan escorts Elly to England, hoping her writing will unveil how to thwart the Division.
In London, they seek a “Masterkey” mentioned in Elly’s books, suspected to expose the Division. Doubting Aidan’s intentions, Elly reaches out to her parents for aid. However, Aidan reveals they are Division operatives, leading to a confrontation before they escape. Fleeing to France, Aidan and former CIA deputy director Alfie Solomon disclose to Elly that Argylle is not purely fictional: she is agent Rachel Kylle, brainwashed by the Division, who integrated her experiences into her novels. Aidan and Alfie are characters in her stories. Rachel’s latest book hints at the Masterkey’s location. Rachel and Aidan retrieve the Masterkey in the Arabian Peninsula but are captured by the Division. It’s revealed Rachel was a double agent. Ritter, the Division’s leader, shoots Aidan but unknowingly sends the Masterkey to Alfie.
Aidan survives and helps Rachel escape. They transmit the Masterkey, destroying the Division’s base. Ruth, using a trigger code, forces Rachel to attack Aidan, resulting in her demise by Keira, a presumed-dead CIA agent. Alfie receives the Masterkey, leading to the Division’s downfall. Rachel resumes her writing career. At a book reading, the real Argylle appears, shocking Rachel. In a mid-credits scene, a young Argylle is shown as a Kingsman agent, revealing the inspiration behind Rachel’s novels.
