Angelina Jolie returns in Poison Arrow as Eve, a haunted ex-CIA operative pulled back into the shadows for one last mission — and she’s as lethal as ever. What unfolds is a taut, stylish action-thriller that thrives on espionage, betrayal, and the terrifying precision of science-turned-weapon.
The premise is classic, but the execution is razor-sharp: a rogue bioweapon capable of wiping out entire populations within hours has gone missing. Its creator, the delightfully unhinged Dr. Lennart Vale (Gary Oldman, in full villainous glory), intends to auction it off to the highest bidder. The only thing standing in his way is Eve — broken, brilliant, and utterly relentless.
Jolie is magnetic, a coiled spring of grief and grit. She plays Eve with icy clarity, but beneath that control simmers a fury that explodes in brief, unforgettable flashes — particularly in a brutal hand-to-hand fight in a Berlin hotel room, and a sniper showdown across collapsing rooftops in Jakarta. She doesn’t just move like a spy; she thinks like one, outsmarting enemies and allies alike.
Oldman chews every line with theatrical flair, transforming Vale into a villain both theatrical and terrifying — a man of science with zero conscience. His scenes with Jolie crackle with tension, especially during a flashback interrogation where words become weapons more dangerous than bullets.
Supporting players Dev Patel and Kiki Layne bring their A-game. Patel plays a young analyst-turned-field asset caught in over his head, providing both emotional stakes and sharp-eyed perspective. Layne, as Eve’s rival-turned-reluctant ally, is electric — her scenes with Jolie feel like a chess match between two lethal forces forced to cooperate under pressure.
Director Susanne Bier keeps the tension taut throughout, blending the globe-trotting style of Bourne with the psychological chill of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. The pacing is lean, with no wasted moments, and the action is visceral without ever losing its intelligence. The final act — a race against time in a chemically rigged safehouse in Marrakesh — is a masterclass in suspense and misdirection.
And yet, beneath the slick espionage shell, Poison Arrow isn’t afraid to cut deeper. It’s a story about the cost of silence, the fragility of loyalty, and the poison of love left unresolved. Eve’s past bleeds into every decision she makes, and Jolie lets us feel every drop of it without saying a word.
Final Verdict:
Poison Arrow is tight, tense, and gorgeously crafted — an assassin’s bullet wrapped in silk. Jolie’s return to action is a triumph, and Oldman’s unhinged genius provides the perfect counterweight. It’s espionage with soul, style, and something to say.
Love hides — but bullets strike. And some wounds never miss.
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