DVD Review: Cypher

The movie, directed by Vincenzo Natali (Cube), follows computer expert Morgan Sullivan (played by Jeremy Northam) as his world is turned upside down.Sullivan, who is a basic “everyman” type character, is hired by a huge multinational company and asked to spy on their competition. They equip him with a new secret identity and a few gadgets that you would expect in a Bond movie. Sullivan seems to really enjoy the “spy” aspect of his new job, but soon learns that the company is using him as a pawn. Instead of completing missions, he is secretly being brainwashed into believing that his new identity is his true self. The reason is so that the company can sneak a mole into their competition – which has a hiring screening process worthy of the Manchurian Candidate. Before the company is able to complete the transformation, Sullivan learns about the plan from a mysterious woman - Rita Foster (played by Lucy Liu). Foster, who claims to work for the competition, soon puts Sullivan in a position of playing both sides as a double agent for both corporations. While all this is happening, Sullivan struggles to find the truth about what has happened to his life, and just who is really pulling the strings. He doesn’t know what to believe, including his own memories, but does know he is quickly running out of time. Both companies will kill him once his use is done, and Sullivan feels that only Foster can truly save his life.

The companies in Cypher use Manchurian Candidate like methods

Northam does a good job as the “everyman” out of his depth throughout the movie. He truly seems to be as confused as the audience, and as the ending comes he seems more panicked every second. Liu also does a good job of maintaining a level of mystery about her character, and you never really know if Northam should trust her. She always appears in Northam’s time of need - which helps to guide you to the actual twist ending, but not enough to give it away.

Northam quickly finds himself over his head and in danger

Northam does a good job in the film, but they never really explain what qualities he had to land himself into this position or why he would want to take the job in the first place.Liu is basically wasted in the film, and plays the same kind of character that she has in several films. She fails to really add anything to the film, but doesn’t ruin it. The biggest problem with the film is the basic premise that these two companies (which they never tell you what they sale) are so powerful that they need to go to these lengths to protect their secrets. Also, the movie will easily get away from you if you miss even a second of the film. It is the kind of film that you have to watch from start to finish to be able to enjoy it. Starting and stopping it, make the plot even harder to follow and takes away any attachment you might have with the characters.

Liu does a good job of keeping her character mysterious

The DVD is very bare bones with no special features. Normally, I wouldn’t care about that, but I would have liked to at least have some behind the scenes or something that helped explain the film more. The movie is entertaining, but you can find yourself easily confused if you miss even a second of it. It has several twist and turns, and maintains a feeling that you can’t trust anyone in the movie. I would recommend the film to anyone who enjoys thrillers that are wrapped in conspiracy, but you have to pay close attention to everything that is happening. Cypher is available at Amazon and AmazonUK. Visit the film’s database for more information.