Bridge of Spies

During the height of the Cold War, a Soviet spy is captured in New York and put on trial; the U.S. government seeks to swap him for an American pilot held by Moscow. A cautious New York attorney, James Donovan, takes on the spy's defense, arguing principles of due process while hidden hands from the CIA start to take notice. When Powers is captured, Donovan, working with a CIA facilitator, is asked to broker a possible exchange across the Atlantic. His mission leads him to Berlin and into tense negotiations that test his legal ethics and political nerve, as both sides weigh the value of parity against public opinion. The story tracks diplomacy behind stakes and its consequences linger.

Directed by Steven Spielberg with writing credits to Joel and Ethan Coen along with Matt Charman, Bridge of Spies released in 2015 as a measured Cold War thriller. Tom Hanks plays James Donovan opposite Mark Rylance as Rudolf Abel.

Bridge of Spies earned multiple Academy Award nominations and won Mark Rylance the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Critics praised the film's restrained storytelling and the strong performances, especially Rylance's quiet, nuanced portrayal of Rudolf Abel. Its attentive performances were widely praised by critics and audiences alike.

Bridge of Spies helped revive interest in Cold War espionage stories through a grounded, human lens. Mark Rylance's Academy Award win drew attention to his stage work, and the film's emphasis on due process and diplomacy left a lasting, dialogue driven impression. It sparked discussions about spies in cinema.

Critics generally welcomed the film for its taut pacing and principled storytelling, balancing legal drama with geopolitical stakes. The themes center on the balance between civil liberties and national security, the politics of negotiation, and the quiet courage of individuals navigating dangerous times. That balance resonated with audiences.