Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- serious
- tense
- paranoid
- political thriller night
- history-focused viewing
What critics said
Critics found the fact-based political thriller intelligent and well crafted but too inert and Hollywoodized to generate consistent suspense.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Michael discovers expired medicines, diverted resources, and systemic abuses within the Oil for Food program.
Michael is caught between Pasha's institutional assurances, Christina's warnings, and Nashim's allegations about the program.
Michael enters the UN diplomatic corps hoping to make a difference but confronts corruption threatening both his career and principles.
The narrative unfolds in 2002 amid UN administration of humanitarian relief in Iraq and heightened international scrutiny.
Films like Backstabbing for Beginners, and why
The Constant Gardener
fact-based political conspiracy, institutional corruption, and morally compromised diplomacy
Syriana
intelligent geopolitical thriller centered on corruption, covert pressure, and ethical investigation
Official Secrets
bureaucratic international intrigue, moral disillusionment, and suspense rooted in real political systems
Movie Details
- Director
- Per Fly
- Release Date
- 2018-01-18
- Runtime
- 108 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (223)
Cast
- Theo James
- Jacqueline Bisset
- Ben Kingsley
- Rossif Sutherland
- Brian Markinson
- Rachel Wilson
- Belçim Bilgin
- Shauna MacDonald
- Daniela Lavender
- Aidan Devine
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 Backstabbing for Beginners about?
- A young UN diplomat risks his career to expose corruption inside the humanitarian program meant to save Iraqis from Saddam Hussein’s regime.
- What is Backstabbing for Beginners like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Backstabbing for Beginners as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Backstabbing for Beginners violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Backstabbing for Beginners as moderate.
- What did critics think of Backstabbing for Beginners?
- Critics found the fact-based political thriller intelligent and well crafted but too inert and Hollywoodized to generate consistent suspense.
- Which films are like Backstabbing for Beginners?
- Films with a similar feel include The Constant Gardener, Syriana, and Official Secrets.
- How long is Backstabbing for Beginners?
- Backstabbing for Beginners runs 108 minutes.
- Where can I watch Backstabbing for Beginners?
- In United States, Backstabbing for Beginners is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
