Rouge Agent Review – Riveting, A Must See Thriller

Rouge Agent, from IFC Films, weaves an astonishing true story of a serial con artist who presented himself as MI5 Agent recruiting freelance operatives and ultimately terrorizing his victims, extorting from their families, and destroying their lives.

 

The film opens to voice over reporting of another arrest at a local college in the English countryside where the Irish Republican Army, (IRA), an independent domestic terrorist organization, who wanted to end British rule in Northern Ireland, had been recruiting and that the enemy may have infiltrated the college town where this story begins.


 

Murder at the Cottage Review - Haunting True Crime Series


Robert Freegard, played by James Norton, who appears at the door of a local pub, and in minutes is hired on as a bartender. This gives him the advantage when determining marks; a bartender is everyone's best friend. After some time, he convinces three impressionable, and politically innocent, college kids that the IRA is operating out of their college and he, as an officer in MI5, has the power to recruit freelancers to aid and assist in the surveillance and capture of IRA militants.

After six weeks of brainwashing, these three become pawns in a longer game. It was well-known that MI5 had been hiring freelancers however, the general questions of pay for services, never seemed to be a part of the equation.

These three Sophie Jones, played by Marisa Abela, Mae Hansen, played by Freya Mavor, and Ian, played by Rob Malone, were obedient and given over to the belief that this man, who showed them no proof and provided them with no compensation, was a member of the MI5.

After the initial ruse was completed, he takes it to the next level, rousing them up at 2:30am with a belief, while they are still groggy, that they have been comprised and the blood-thirsty IRA militants were on their way to kill them. Essentially, he kidnaps them by deception.


A Love Song Review – A Quiet, Compelling, Love Story


The story then picks up nine years later, with savvy Anne Archer, played by Gemma Arterton, a corporate lawyer in London. She is smart, savvy, sophisticated, a little jaded by the corporate life and not one persuaded by any person with a good line. She doesn't want to be bothered with the mundane.

So, when Rob, who has moved up from low level hits, recruiting from the English countryside pub high level marks, recruiting from a list of luxury clients from his new job as a luxury car salesman, approaches her on the street, she gives him the brush off. As she walks past the auto dealer to reach her home, the two see each other daily.

One morning, when she is extremely hungover from partying with the clients, she stops in to apologize for her rude brush off. He offers to drive her to work. So, by the time she arrives at her job, he knows her work address, the fact that she drinks to excess, her home address, and the type of car she owns.


Not Okay Review – Resonating Story, Strong Character Driven Performances


Even though she admits dating him would be slumming, she decides to give him a chance anyway and the two agree to meet for dinner. Of course, he stands her up, while all her responses are correct, Rob, who is an expert con, gets past her by playing the sympathy card. Soon, he moves from the sympathy card play to the honey pot scam and is intriguing enough that Anne is caught between her desire to expose him and curiosity.

So, she has him checked out and finds he is a ghost. No credit history, no information at all. A variety of name combinations are used which provide a little more information. She seems to turn her back on those she once trusted implicitly and lean toward the clear deception possibly believing she could change him. Soon, she is pulled off track, caught up in the cat and mouse of the relationship, her work begins to suffer, and he convinces her to bankroll a business venture.

This sets up the third act and riveting conclusion.


My Name is Sara Review – Compelling, Extraordinary Character Driven Performances


Inspired by true events, Rouge Agent highlights the power of mental manipulation. The use of mind control tactics to subdue and sooth the clear red flags, even those highly educated fall prey to the scam. Rouge Agent draws viewers into this web of deceit, shocks with the level of control Freegard has over his victims, as if every element of common sense has been drained from them and replaced by this man's con game.

Spellbinding and captivating, Rouge Agent spins a tale of lies, wickedness, deceit, and destructive evil followed by a determined resolve. The ensemble cast deliver convincing, resonating, character driven performances.

Rouge Agent, premieres on AMC+, and opens in select theaters on Friday, August 12, 2022.

 

Country: England.

Runtime: 115 minutes.

Release Date: August 12, 2022.

Director: Declan Lawn, Adam Patterson.

Writer: Michael Bronner.

Cast: Gemma Arterton, James Norton, Sarah Goldberg, Sarah Goldberg, Freya Mavor, Shazad Latif, Julian Barrett, Jimmy Akingbola, Edwina Findley, Rob Malone.

Haute Tease

  • Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer Review – Gripping, Haunting, Evil Unmasked

    Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer, an original Netflix docu-series, brings to the screen the story behind the manhunt for serial killer Richard Ramirez who terrorized Angelenos for fourteen months beginning in June 1984.

     
  • Gift Guide: Bright Strips Rainbow Body Art for Tots & Tweens

    Bright Stripes, a creative DIY site, introduces Spa*rkle where spa and beauty kits come in a rainbow of colors giving tots and tweens the chance to express themselves with washable pastel hair color and body art.  

  • Spring, if You’re Reading This… Can You Visit Soon

    As I look outside my window, to see a whole city covered in a blanket of snow, I’m reminded of Bing Crosby, Christmas carols and all things holiday. Yet, the presents under the tree have been opened for some time now, the ornaments gone, and lights properly put away. Don’t get me wrong, I love winter, being from Colorado; I love skiing down the slopes of Breckenridge and walking in my snow-boots to Starbucks. I love everything from the first frost to the last flake falling.

     
  • Ziff Publishing Family Lists Florida Mansion; Asking Tops All Markets

    America’s elite homes get more elaborate and expensive every year. The mansion that was at the top of the price list in 2015 near Fort Lauderdale, Florida at $159 million came with its own IMAX theater, a $2 million staircase and an entry gate decorated with 22-karat gold leaf. 

     
  • L'Union Européenne Aurait-elle Perdu sa Tête?

    Alors qu'approche le scrutin destiné à renouveler le parlement éponyme, il apparaît que l'Union Européenne peine à établir une pensée et une idéologie communes. Carence préjudiciable qui l'empêche d'avancer comme elle souhaiterait. Explications.  

  • Gift Guide: Plush Stuffed Animals Offer Emotional Support for Tots & Tweens

    Whatsitsface, a plush stuffed animal toy, has become the gift of choice this holiday season as parents and guardians hope to bring more than holiday cheer as their emotionally struggling kids work through pandemic related issues.