Review | Netflix movie review: Spider in the Web – Monica Bellucci, Ben Kingsley in pedestrian spy thriller
- The behaviour of a veteran spy (Ben Kingsley) sparks suspicion and a fresh-faced agent (Itay Tiran) is sent from the agency they work for to bring him in
- While Kingsley’s performance is compelling, the film, which also stars Monica Bellucci, offers precious little to get excited about
2.5/5 stars
Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley proves the saving grace in Eran Riklis’ otherwise painfully pedestrian spy thriller Spider in the Web, as a veteran agent of the Israeli secret service Mossad reluctant to hang up his spurs.
Riklis is more eager to emulate the cold war thrillers of author John le Carré, favouring whispered discussions in smoky pubs and drab offices over flamboyant action sequences.
While Kingsley’s character Avram Adareth’s musings on a life spent dishing out violence on behalf of a seemingly ungrateful government are quietly compelling, the film offers precious little to get excited about.
Avram is in Brussels, investigating a company he suspects of selling chemical weapons to Syria. His superiors are growing suspicious of his intel, and send fresh-faced agent Daniel (Itay Tiran) to bring him in once and for all.