Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- slick
- tense
- sardonic
- political thriller night
- Spanish cinema showcase
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's precise, stylish, ambitious political-thriller storytelling while finding its extended, over-detailed manipulation emotionally distant.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Francisco Paesa operates through aliases, disguises, and shifting presentations while manipulating officials and associates.
The plot centers on political corruption, stolen funds, espionage, and the concealment of state-linked wrongdoing.
Critics emphasize the film's stylish, showy, quick-thinking manipulation and its political-thriller execution.
The story connects Spanish political scandal with Paris, espionage, and cross-border schemes.
Films like Smoke & Mirrors, and why
The Lives of Others
shared political espionage, corruption, and morally slippery real-world intrigue
Argo
shared biographical spy drama, deception, and stylish political manipulation
Marshland
shared Spanish political thriller atmosphere, corruption, and complex antihero
Movie Details
- Director
- Alberto Rodríguez
- Release Date
- 2016-09-23
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (269)
Cast
- Eduard Fernández
- Carlos Santos
- Jose Coronado
- Marta Etura
- Itziar Atienza
- Christian Stamm
- Craig Stevenson
- Luis Callejo
- Emilio Gutiérrez Caba
- Pedro Casablanc
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Smoke & Mirrors about?
- A charismatic Spanish spy turns aliases, political corruption, and international deception into an elaborate survival game.
- What is Smoke & Mirrors like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Smoke & Mirrors as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Smoke & Mirrors violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Smoke & Mirrors as moderate.
- What did critics think of Smoke & Mirrors?
- Critics broadly praised the film's precise, stylish, ambitious political-thriller storytelling while finding its extended, over-detailed manipulation emotionally distant.
- Which films are like Smoke & Mirrors?
- Films with a similar feel include The Lives of Others, Argo, and Marshland.
- How long is Smoke & Mirrors?
- Smoke & Mirrors runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch Smoke & Mirrors?
- In United States, Smoke & Mirrors is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
