Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- tense
- cynical
- paranoid
- focused thriller night
- political cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film tense and well acted, but considered its conventional espionage framework and sensationally implausible plotting too dependent on Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Roger and Ed construct a covert plan while deliberately concealing it from Hani Salaam.
American operatives attempt to direct Jordanian security policy while treating local relationships as strategic tools.
Satellites, cell phones, and intelligence networks drive the modern counterterrorism operation.
Roger must balance CIA orders, Hani's trust, operational secrecy, and his attraction to Aisha.
Films like Body of Lies, and why
Syriana
Shares a contemporary espionage setting, political intrigue, terrorism plot, and morally compromised intelligence operatives.
The Kingdom
Shares tense counterterrorism operations, surveillance, institutional distrust, and a grounded post-9/11 political thriller tone.
The Good Shepherd
Shares procedural spycraft, international locations, bureaucratic manipulation, and a protagonist caught between competing agencies.
Munich
Shares an austere, morally ambiguous intelligence-world drama centered on deception and operational control.
Movie Details
- Director
- Ridley Scott
- Release Date
- 2008-10-09
- Runtime
- 128 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (3445)
Cast
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Russell Crowe
- Golshifteh Farahani
- Mark Strong
- Ali Suliman
- Oscar Isaac
- Simon McBurney
- Lubna Azabal
- Michael Stuhlbarg
- Mehdi Nebbou
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 Body of Lies about?
- A field CIA operative and his ruthless Langley controller manipulate allies and enemies alike in a dangerous campaign against a terrorist cleric.
- What is Body of Lies like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Body of Lies as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Body of Lies violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Body of Lies as brutal.
- What did critics think of Body of Lies?
- Critics broadly found the film tense and well acted, but considered its conventional espionage framework and sensationally implausible plotting too dependent on Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe.
- Which films are like Body of Lies?
- Films with a similar feel include Syriana, The Kingdom, The Good Shepherd, and Munich.
- How long is Body of Lies?
- Body of Lies runs 128 minutes.
- Where can I watch Body of Lies?
- In United States, Body of Lies is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
