---
title: "Argylle"
year: 2024
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/argylle"
fi1m_id: "argylle"
imdb_id: "tt15009428"
tmdb_id: 848538
wikidata_id: "Q107460063"
fi1m_score: 45
critics_score: 44
critics_reviews: 18
published: "2026-09-09"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:00.241490+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Argylle (2024)

Directed by Matthew Vaughn · 2h 19m · MPA PG-13 · Action, Adventure, Comedy

## Identity

Argylle

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/argylle
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** argylle
- **IMDb ID:** tt15009428
- **TMDB ID:** 848538
- **Wikidata ID:** Q107460063
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15009428/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/848538, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107460063

**Fi1m score: 45** · Critics 44 from 18 reviews

*In a sentence:* Henry Cavill’s haircut is the only thing on screen that knows exactly what it is

> Matthew Vaughn has a good idea, a novelist whose spy stories keep coming true, and spends 139 minutes burying it under reveals. Rockwell and Howard are likeable, one train fight is a pleasure, and none of it adds up to an evening.

## Synopsis

Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) writes spy novels about an agent called Argylle (Henry Cavill), a man with a flat-top haircut who travels the world with his colleagues Wyatt (John Cena) and Keira (Ariana DeBose). Elly herself is quieter. She lives alone with her cat, Alfie, and takes the train to visit her mother Ruth (Catherine O’Hara). On one such journey a scruffy stranger, Aidan Wilde (Sam Rockwell), tells her that her books have been predicting real espionage, and that a real agency, run by Director Ritter (Bryan Cranston), would like a word. Matthew Vaughn directs Jason Fuchs’s screenplay, with Samuel L. Jackson, Sofia Boutella and Dua Lipa in support. 12A, 139 minutes.

## Review

Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) writes spy novels about a man called Argylle (Henry Cavill), and Matthew Vaughn’s film opens inside one of them: Greece, a nightclub, Dua Lipa on a dance floor, a chase along a coast road that looks like a perfume advert. Then it cuts to Elly at a book reading, and the joke is that the woman who invents all this lives alone with a cat and takes the train. Jason Fuchs’s script has a real idea here, which is that her books have been predicting what actual spies get up to, and the actual spies have noticed. For half an hour that idea carries the film. Then the reveals start, and they do not stop for another hundred minutes.

The train is the best of it. Aidan Wilde (Sam Rockwell), unshaven and untidy, sits down opposite Elly and tells her she is in danger a few seconds before the carriage fills with people trying to prove him right. Elly, who has never seen a fight that was not on her own page, keeps seeing Argylle where Aidan is, and Lee Smith, Col Goudie and Tom Harrison-Read cut between Rockwell and Cavill mid-blow, so that a scruffy man throws a punch and a tidy one lands it. We laughed, properly, and we sat up. It is the one sequence in which the film’s device does something a plainer spy picture could not.

Rockwell and Howard are good together and the film knows it. He plays Aidan as a man mildly embarrassed by his own competence; she plays Elly as someone who would rather be at home and keeps saying so. Their scenes in cars and hotel rooms have a bickering ease that the plot keeps interrupting. Catherine O’Hara, as Elly’s mother Ruth, gets two scenes and does more with a raised eyebrow than the script manages in a reel.

The look is the first real problem. George Richmond shoots the Argylle sequences in postcard colour and the rest in a flat digital shine, and too often the actors are standing in front of backgrounds that were plainly added later, so a rooftop or a field has the depth of a screensaver. Daniel Taylor and Russell De Rozario’s sets, the agency’s headquarters and Elly’s house, are handsome and anonymous. Stephanie Collie dresses Cavill in suits so sharp they seem to be holding him up, and the flat-top haircut that goes with them is the film’s one unhesitating decision. Lorne Balfe’s score alternates brass and thump, and gives way to disco whenever the action needs to tell us it is fun.

Then the twists. We will not describe them, and there are enough of them that we could not if we tried. What we can say is that each one asks us to throw away something we have been told about a person, and by the fourth we had stopped bothering to hold on to anything. We noticed we had stopped, which is worse than being lost. Bryan Cranston, Samuel L. Jackson and Sofia Boutella arrive as the plot requires and leave when it is done with them. Cavill, first on the poster, is on screen far less than his billing suggests and spends the time being handsome at a distance.

Late on, Vaughn stages a fight in a corridor of coloured smoke as a kind of dance, and for a few minutes the film is what it wanted to be all along: silly, pretty, in time with its music. It comes after two hours, and it is a 12A fight, which means nobody bleeds and nothing quite connects. In *Kingsman: The Secret Service* (2014), Vaughn put Colin Firth through a church full of people and made you feel every hit. Here the punches are thrown at a certificate.

The reviews so far are mostly hostile, and we are less angry than most, because there is a decent ninety-minute comedy in here about a woman who would rather be reading. At 139 minutes it has been buried. Watch it at home, where you can stop for the cat and skip the smoke. The cat, to be fair, is good.

*Fi1m score 45, published 9 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics are unimpressed. The reviews broadly agree that the premise, a spy novelist dragged into real espionage, is a promising one, and that Matthew Vaughn buries it under too many twists. Where there is praise it lands on the two leads, with several critics singling out the pairing of Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell, and on the action, which a minority find inventive and cartoonish in the Kingsman manner.

The complaints are consistent: a convoluted plot, a bloated runtime, cheap-looking digital effects and a meta streak that many find smug rather than clever. The spread is wide. Empire, Collider and Consequence treat it as a light romp and rate it well; The Guardian and The Telegraph find it close to unwatchable. Even the action divides them, held up by Vulture as the one highlight and dismissed by The Telegraph as lazy. Howard splits critics too, charming to some and, for The Guardian, the film’s weakest element.

## Straight answers

**Is Argylle worth watching?**

*Argylle* is not quite worth an evening, and we scored it 45. Sam Rockwell and Bryce Dallas Howard are likeable together and one train fight is a real pleasure, but Matthew Vaughn buries a decent ninety-minute comedy under 139 minutes of twists. Watch it at home if the cast appeals, and feel free to skip.

**How long is Argylle, and what is it rated?**

*Argylle* runs 2h 19m and is rated PG-13 by the MPA in the US. It is an action and adventure film.

**Where can I watch Argylle in the US?**

*Argylle* is streaming on Apple TV, The Roku Channel and Amazon Prime Video in the US, and it is also available to rent from Apple TV from $3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Argylle, and is it suitable for children?**

*Argylle* is a 12A action comedy with a good deal of fighting and no real gore: nobody bleeds and nothing quite connects. It is loud rather than frightening, and older children and teenagers who like spy films should be fine. The squeamish have nothing to fear; the impatient have more to worry about.

**What should I watch after Argylle?**

After *Argylle*, try [*Kingsman: The Secret Service*](https://film.one/film/kingsman-the-secret-service) (2014, Fi1m 66): Vaughn’s spy comedy with an edge this one has filed off. Then [*Romancing the Stone*](https://film.one/film/romancing-the-stone) (1984, Fi1m 77): A novelist dragged into her own genre, done with warmth and a real jungle; and [*OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies*](https://film.one/film/oss-117-cairo-nest-of-spies) (2006, Fi1m 76): French Bond spoof that knows exactly how stupid it is being.

### Reviews we read (24)

- **Empire**, Ben Travis (75/100, inferred): The critic praises the film's playful twists and meta elements as a lighter Vaughn spy romp. Howard and Rockwell's chemistry and inventive action stand out as highlights. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/argylle/)
- **Screen Daily** (50/100, inferred): The critic notes that the convoluted spy caper with plot twists never knits together satisfyingly despite fun moments, an impressive cast and explosive set pieces, ultimately tying itself in knots. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/argylle-review/5189957.article)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (50/100, inferred): Matthew Vaughn's catawampus spy comedy is convoluted and sticks to an exaggerated CG aesthetic, with a fun premise of a fiction writer pulled into real espionage but ultimately a badly written effort that leaves audiences cross-eyed from twists. It finds some groove in its kitschy style but remains exhausting. [Read](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/argylle-review-1235892677/)
- **Total Film**, Kevin Harley (45/100, inferred): The critic calls it a well-cast romp that lacks focus and discipline. Overstuffed set pieces and loose satire undermine its potential. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/argylle-review/)
- **Evening Standard**, Martin Robinson (40/100, inferred): The critic finds the constant twists turn the film into an unengaging froth despite likeable leads. It lacks drama, suspense and heart and soul. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/argylle-review-kitsch-spy-film-twists-itself-into-a-froth-b1135974.html)
- **Little White Lies**, Hannah Strong (2/2/2): The critic finds the film derivative and charmless, with an overcomplicated yet generic plot, bloated runtime and cheap-looking aesthetic that fails to deliver enjoyment despite the cast's efforts. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/argylle)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Robert Daniels (40/100, inferred): The film starts as a promising spoof of spy movies but becomes a stumbling, overcooked action flick that forgets its punchline and turns forgettable. It struggles with thin plotting, thankless roles for major stars, and a dreary finale that fails to balance parody with seriousness. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/argylle-film-review-2024)
- **The New Yorker**, Kyle Chayka (40/100, inferred): A cutesy and convoluted spy film that exemplifies Hollywood's extreme contortions to justify original I.P. stories through endless twists, meta-references, and franchise teases. It lacks rounded human relationships and feels like an ominous forecast for never-ending content cycles. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/argylle-is-the-ip-ouroboros-that-hollywood-hath-wrought)
- **The New York Times**, Alissa Wilkinson (30/100, inferred): A simulacrum of a spy movie that offers few pleasures and plenty of headaches. The cat cannot save this convoluted, headache-inducing effort from director Matthew Vaughn. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/01/movies/argylle-review.html)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (25/100, inferred): The critic finds the film an unbearably smug and self-satisfied spy caper that fails to deliver fun due to its dull meta-narrative, phoned-in cameos and awful lead performance from Bryce Dallas Howard. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/jan/31/argylle-review-unbearably-self-satisfied-smirk-of-a-spy-caper-from-matthew-vaughn)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Katie Walsh (20/100, inferred): Should be a lot more fun but is an unbearable headache and one of the most expensive worst movies ever made, with bone-deep structural issues and failure of directorial execution. Sam Rockwell provides a rare bright spot amid the digital dreck and juvenile action. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-02-02/argylle-review-bryce-dallas-howard-sam-rockwell-dua-lipa-matthew-vaughn)
- **The Telegraph**, Robbie Collin (20/100, inferred): The critic calls the film a woeful espionage caper with some of the stupidest action scenes imaginable, criticising its lazy execution, fourth-rate CGI and overall insulting quality despite the star cast. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/argylle-review-henry-cavill-dua-lipa-john-cena/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Leslie Felperin: The critic calls the film a new low for the director, citing jokes that fail to land, an overly long runtime, cartoonish violence that amounts to smoke and mirrors, and overly aggressive Apple product placement. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/argylle-review-bryce-dallas-howard-sam-rockwell-henry-cavill-dua-lipa-1235810576/)
- **The Times**, Kevin Maher (★☆☆☆☆): The critic sees the film as a new low for Matthew Vaughn, with lazy, derivative and nonsensical plotting, empty CGI spectacle and underwhelming performances that abandon any promise of originality. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/argylle-film-review-matthew-vaughns-lazy-nonsense-is-a-new-low-tzht5q9xq)
- **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri: The critic finds the spy story messy, overcooked, and tedious with too many twists, but singles out the inventive and creative action sequences as a highlight. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/argylle-review-a-silly-spy-caper-thats-trying-very-hard.html)
- **Collider**, Maggie Lovitt (8/10): The film is a fun, light-hearted spy romp and perfect date movie, with strong chemistry between Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell and stylish action in the vein of the Kingsman series. [Read](https://collider.com/argylle-movie-review/)
- **Consequence** (B): Vaughn delivers an escapist, crowd-pleasing action comedy with inventive, cartoonish set pieces staged like dances and accompanied by disco music. [Read](https://consequence.net/2024/01/argylle-review-matthew-vaughn/)
- **/Film**, Ethan Anderton (7/10): The review praises the wild action, big twists, and romance elements that make it mostly satisfying, highlighting the chemistry between Rockwell and Howard and innovative action sequences, while noting some clumsiness and too many twists. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/1505729/argylle-review/)
- **Digital Spy**, Ian Sandwell (40/100, inferred): The film starts with a promising unique meta spin on the spy genre but quickly becomes a generic and convoluted thriller that loses its edge. Occasional sparks like a late dance fight scene are noted, but the overlong runtime and lack of originality are criticized. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a46532009/argylle-review/)
- **The Wrap** (40/100, inferred): The film is a convoluted and overly long spy thriller that struggles with repetitive plotting and fails to deliver a coherent franchise setup. Bryce Dallas Howard delivers a charming and magnetic lead performance, with strong chemistry alongside Sam Rockwell highlighted as a standout element. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/matthew-vaughn-argylle-review-henry-cavill/)
- **Polygon**, Oli Welsh (30/100, inferred): The heavy meta elements and self-aware irony undercut any genuine romance or excitement, leaving the film feeling insincere and distancing the audience despite its flashy action. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/24056024/argylle-review-henry-cavill-bryce-dallas-howard-matthew-vaughn/)
- **Den of Geek**, Joe George (2 out of 5): The critic finds that Matthew Vaughn's clever ideas are undone by tired spy tropes and familiar beats executed poorly. The action set pieces in the final act stand out as highlights, but the film overall feels like an echo of a better movie. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/argylle-review/)
- **Film Stories**, Maria Lattila: The critic finds the film peculiarly and endearingly stupid with excellent fight choreography and a fun action sequence, but criticizes the formulaic plot, thin characters, too many obvious twists, and lack of gore. Overall, it's a chaotic thrill ride that one can still have a good time with despite its flaws. [Read](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/argylle-review-matthew-vaughns-spy-film-is-sometimes-dumb-fun-mostly-just-dumb/)
- **NME**, Nick Levine (3): This James Bond spoof delivers simple, dumb fun with an ingenious screenplay full of twists and strong performances, especially from Bryce Dallas Howard. It is hampered by strange pacing and a bloated runtime that causes it to overstay its welcome. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/argylle-review-henry-cavill-dua-lipa-3580545)

## Details

- **Director:** Matthew Vaughn
- **Director:** Matthew Vaughn
- **Writer:** Jason Fuchs
- **Cinematography:** George Richmond
- **Editor:** Lee Smith, Colin Goudie, Tom Harrison-Read
- **Music:** Lorne Balfe
- **Production design:** Daniel Taylor, Russell De Rozario
- **Costume design:** Stephanie Collie
- **Producer:** Matthew Vaughn, David Reid, Jason Fuchs
- **Cast:** Henry Cavill as Argylle; Bryce Dallas Howard as Elly Conway; Sam Rockwell as Aidan Wilde; Bryan Cranston as Director Ritter; Catherine O'Hara as Ruth; Sofia Boutella as Saba Al-Badr; Dua Lipa as Lagrange; Ariana DeBose as Keira
- **Runtime:** 2h 19m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13
- **Release (the US):** 2 February 2024
- **Genres:** Action, Adventure, Comedy
- **Budget:** $200 million
- **Box office:** $96 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy6eNs3EW3E

## Where to watch in the US

- Apple TV: streaming, uhd
- The Roku Channel: add-on, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: add-on, uhd
- Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $7.99, uhd
- Apple TV: buy $7.99, hd

*Checked 2026-09-10.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, SE, SG, TH, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Kingsman: The Secret Service* (2014), Fi1m 66: Vaughn’s spy comedy with an edge this one has filed off — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/kingsman-the-secret-service.md)
- *Romancing the Stone* (1984), Fi1m 77: A novelist dragged into her own genre, done with warmth and a real jungle — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/romancing-the-stone.md)
- *Charade* (1963): Hepburn, Grant and a plot that twists without losing anyone
- *OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies* (2006), Fi1m 76: French Bond spoof that knows exactly how stupid it is being — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/oss-117-cairo-nest-of-spies.md)
- *The Man from U.N.C.L.E.* (2015), Fi1m 64: Cavill in a spy caper that gives him something to do besides stand — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-man-from-u-n-c-l-e.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/argylle