The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018) - Review

Speak up and say it loud – Kate Mckinnon is a star and has been under used in every film she has appeared in. She is constantly the best thing in unfunny comedies; Rough Night and Office Christmas Party are both forgettable and the Ghostbuster remake was unloved by the masses (not me, I think it was unfairly judged). What all these films have in common are that she is really funny in all of them. Mckinnon, known mostly for her work on SNL (Saturday Night Live) has been waiting for that break out film, the one that puts her on the map to every man, woman and child on the planet. The Spy Who Dumped Me on paper doesn’t look like that film. First off, it’s coming out on the back end of a summer of huge blockbusters. Secondly, it is helmed by a first-time (feature) director and thirdly, the marketing has been slow and quiet. I don’t think this will be on many people’s radar. It has had very little buzz and traction.

Mila Kunis plays Audrey who has been dumped by her boyfriend Drew (Justin Theroux) on the eve of her 30th birthday. Comforted by Morgan (Kate Mckinnon) her childhood best friend, Audrey is struggling to move on. Shock horror, it turns out that Drew isn’t all that he makes out to be and he is in fact a spy for the CIA. What follows is Audrey and Morgan unexpectedly end up on the run from all kinds of generic bad guys. The pair end up having to leg it all over Europe just to survive.

First time director Susanna Fogel has spotted a gap in the market. We have had dozens upon dozens of male buddy comedies but very few female led comedies. Girls Trip in particular showed what could happen when you get the balance right. Geniune friendship and strong chemistry with funny people can make a really good movie. What TSWDM does well is mix decent action scenes with good comedic moments. Kunis and Mckinnon clearly share a bond. Sometimes it isn't even clear if the laughing is acting or if they actually enjoying each other's company. 

Most surprising was the level of violence.  What I thought was going to be a kid friendly, harmless comedy with a few jokes here and there, turns out to be a real surprise. Be warned, there is blood (more than in 'The Meg'). One particular scene in unlocking a phone will really make you wince. The fights are well devised and pull no punches. 

Does this all meld together to make a coherent film? Just about. It does have issues. The pacing in places does suffer from too much jumping from country to country and not every joke lands. The plot is pretty predictable (some of the casting doesn't  help with that). Thankfully the film has Kunis and Mckinnion. I would quite happily sit through another film with this paring. 

A surprise package of a film. Funny and violent! A comedy movie is hard enough to get right, a comedy action movie is even harder.  Female led comedy action movies are a dime a dozen and don't normally get made. The Spy Who Dumped Me is helping to break down barriers. Hopefully this is just the start of a new genre.

⭐⭐⭐