Best Underrated Spy Thrillers From the 2000s

Spy thrillers have always been an appealing option for audiences for almost as long as cinema has existed. The blend of suspense, high-stakes intrigue and complex characters covertly navigating murky webs of deceptions has provided the backbone to some of the biggest and most acclaimed movies of all time and the 2000s were no exception.

Pierce Brosnan stepped down after a highly successful run as James Bond following 2002’s Die Another Die and Daniel Craig picked up the reigns and delighted audiences worldwide with Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Elsewhere, Rowan Atkinson spoofed the genre with the hilarious Johnny English, and a new icon was created in the form of Jason Bourne, played by Matt Damon in The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum.

Here, though, we’re focusing on the lesser-known spy movies of the decade that we feel deserve more respect. From action-packed teen thrillers to dreamlike arthouse projects, these are 10 underrated spy thrillers from the 2000s.

10 ‘Walk on Water’ (2004)

Walk on Water follows a no-nonsense Mossad assassin as he goes undercover to track down the grandson of a Nazi war criminal. However, whilst undercover, he unexpectedly begins to develop a bond with his target and their sister. These developments lead him to question his moral compass and driving hatred.

Walk on Water Was a Huge Hit in Israel

Like many international films, Walk on Water only received a limited release in the United States and flew under the radar for most of the general public. In its native Israel, however, it was a different story. The movie was a critical hit and was nominated for an unprecedented nine awards at the Awards of the Israeli Film Academy, winning three.

Related From Bond to Bourne: The Best Spy Movie of Each Decade for the Past 100 Years

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9 ‘Code 46’ (2003)

Set in a not-so-distant dystopian future, investigator William Geld embarks on a covert mission to uncover an identity fraud scheme but finds himself romantically falling for the suspect, leading to a conflict between duty and forbidden love.

Code 46 Is a Unique Sci-Fi Espionage Thriller

Tim Robbins shines as the investigator in this criminally underrated British sci-fi thriller that flopped at the box office and was barely talked about in mainstream media. The movie takes a fascinating approach to depicting its dystopian future which features heavy surveillance, and strict genetic laws and gives our protagonist artificially enhanced abilities to detect deception.

Overall, Code 46 stands as an intriguing espionage, romantic thriller that deserves to be given a chance by all those that missed its fleeting presence in the ‘00s.

8 ‘Farewell’ (2009)

Set during the height of the Cold War, this French thriller is loosely based on the actions of the real-life high-ranking KGB official, Vladimir Vetrov. A disillusioned Vetrov goes on to leak classified Soviet intelligence to French engineer Pierre Froment, sparking a critical espionage operation during the Cold War, with their collaboration having an immense political knock-on effect.

Farewell Was a Hit with Critics but Failed to Ignite the Box Office

Farewell currently holds a highly impressive approval rating of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes but remains underrated and underappreciated amongst general audiences. During its theatrical run, it made just $7.1 million back on its $21 million budget. Those who did see it, though, were taken on a dramatic, intense, and poignant trip through one of history’s most intriguing espionage scenarios and deserves to be enjoyed by a far greater audience.

7 ‘Fifty Dead Men Walking’ (2008)

Release Date September 10, 2008

Fifty Dead Men Walking sees renowned thespian Ben Kingsley take on the role of an undercover agent within the IRA during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. The character is based on the real-life agent Martin McGartland and the movie is based on his 1997 autobiography.

The Real-Life Agent the Movie Is Based on Has Distanced Himself from the Movie

The movie initially performed well with critics and received universal acclaim with the strong lead performances being particularly praised. Martin McGartland, himself, however, has claimed that the movie is inaccurate and misrepresents his career and his motivation and has since disowned the film. While these comments may have damaged the movie’s authenticity and reputation, the movie is certainly still worth a watch for those seeking a heart-pounding and suspenseful exploration of The Troubles.

6 ‘Breach’ (2007)

Breach

Release Date February 16, 2007

Starring Ryan Phillippe and Laura Linney, Breach follows a young FBI upstart who is tasked with spying on a fellow agent who is suspected of selling US secrets to the Soviet Union. The stakes dramatically increase, however, as the full extent of the agent’s treachery begins to come to light.

Breach is Based on an Unbelievable True Story

Robert Hanssen was an actual FBI agent convicted of spying for the Soviet Union and Russia for more than two decades, and it was Eric O’Neil who brought him down. Despite some creative liberty being taken for the movie, the premise is based on reality, which is what makes the movie such a fascinating and engaging viewing experience.

5 ‘Secret Agents’ (2004)

Secret Agents, AKA Spy Bound, follows two top-class French operatives as they go deep undercover to spy on and sabotage an arms deal going down in Morocco. Not everything goes to plan, however, and as things spiral out of control the pair face betrayals, moral dilemmas, and a whole lot of peril.

Secret Agents is a Slow Burn

For those looking for the kind of back-to-back, balls-to-the-wall spy action found in the likes of James Bond and the Bourne series, Secret Agents might not be the film for you. If, however, you’re keen to sink your teeth into a gritty and realistic take on espionage with suspense and tension that fully immerses its viewers into the murky world of covert operations, this could be just the ticket.

4 ‘The Tailor of Panama’ (2001)

Dark and tense with an undercurrent of black humor, The Tailor of Panama tells the tale of a MI6 agent who coerces a shady tailor into acting as a spy at post-canal-handover Panama. To protect his own secrets, however, the tailor begins fabricating intelligence, inadvertently setting off a chain of events that could change the world forever.

Pierce Brosnan Proves He’s More Than a One-Trick Pony

When it comes to the spy genre and Pierce Brosnan, both have become synonymous with the 007 James Bond franchise. Brosnan portrayed the genre’s biggest name from 1995 to 2002, but one year before that reign came to an end, he appeared as MI6 Agent Andy Osnard in The Tailor of Panama. Here he plays a cynical, morally bankrupt agent driven by self-interest contrasting sharply with his suave, noble, and idealistic portrayal of James Bond. The movie itself is far darker and blends satire with a twisting thriller, making for one of the decade’s most underrated gems.

3 ‘Stormbreaker’ (2006)

Stormbreaker

Release Date July 21, 2006

Director Geoffrey Sax

Cast Sarah Bolger , Alex Pettyfer , Ewan McGregor , Robbie Coltrane , Stephen Fry , Damian Lewis , Bill Nighy , Sophie Okonedo , Missi Pyle , Mickey Rourke , Andy Serkis , Alicia Silverstone , Jimmy Carr , Ashley Walters , Morgan Walters , Martin Herdman , Scott Chisholm , Richard Huw

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Stormbreaker is based on renowned children’s author Anthony Horowitz’s 2000 novel of the same name. It is the first in a series of books based around the teenage spy Alex Rider. Here, Rider is recruited by MI6 after his father is killed in action. Stormbreaker sees him heading to Cornwall to investigate the nefarious schemes of shady billionaire Darrius Styles and the hi-tech computers he has been distributing to schools across the country.

The Movie’s Failing Was Blamed on the Weinstein Company’s Handling of the Project

Despite its all-star cast which included Mickey Rourke, Alicia Silverstone, Bill Nighy, Stephen Fry, and Ewan McGregor, the movie was a commercial and critical failure. Horowitz placed the blame on the Weinstein Company and their decision to only give the movie a limited release in the States.

To be fair, the movie delivers an action-packed adventure perfect for young audiences blending high-tech gadgets with thrilling espionage. Unfortunately, by the time of its release, the premise didn’t seem so fresh after the release of the likes of Spy Kids and Agent Cody Banks a few years prior.

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2 ‘Infernal Affairs’ (2002)

Infernal Affairs

Infernal Affairs is a tense, nail-biting thriller that follows an undercover Hong Kong Police Force officer who infiltrates a deadly triad gang and another police officer who is secretly a spy for the same triad gang. Things escalate as covers are blown, loyalty is tested, and blood is spilled.

Martin Scorsese’s The Departed is a Remake of Infernal Affairs

Infernal Affairs was an enormous success in Hong Kong and spawned two sequels. At the 22nd Hong Kong Film Awards, it won seven out of the sixteen awards it was nominated for including Best Film and Best Director. Acclaimed American director Martin Scorsese caught wind of the movie’s success in Asia and remade it under the name The Departed, basing it on the real-Iife American-Irish gangster Whitey Bulger. Scorsese’s interpretation is an undeniable classic, but it’s definitely worth checking out its inspiration, which is a fine piece of work in its own right.

1 ‘The Limits of Control’ (2009)

The Limits of Control

Release Date May 1, 2009

Director Jim Jarmusch

Cast Alex Descas , Isaach De Bankolé , Jean-François Stévenin , Oscar Jaenada , Luis Tosar , Paz de la Huerta , Tilda Swinton , Youki Kudoh , John Hurt , Gael García Bernal , Hiam Abbass , Bill Murray , Héctor Colomé , María Isasi , Norma Yessenia Paladines , Miguel Alcíbar , José Corbacho , Richard Diment

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Words like “abstract,” “philosophical,” “surreal,” and “minimalist” are not normally adjectives one would normally associate with the spy genre. But that’s what The Limits of Control delivers as it tells the story of an enigmatic loner who travels through Spain on a cryptic mission. On his journey, he has a series of surreal encounters with multiple mysterious characters played by the likes of Bill Murray, Tilda Sinton, and John Hurt.

The Limit of Control Is a Divisive Movie

The movie trades action sequences and thrilling espionage narratives for visual storytelling, sparse dialogue, and existential undertones. Understandably, this was not to everyone’s taste and the movie received mixed reviews. However, those looking for something a little different and left field within the spy genre might enjoy this unique take.

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