The Imitation Game poster

The Imitation Game

"The true enigma was the man who cracked the code."

Movie PG-13 2014 1h 53m 8.0 /10
Directed by Morten Tyldum

During World War II, a tense race against time unfolds at Britain's top secret code breaking center, Bletchley Park. A mathematician named Alan Turing is recruited to crack the seemingly unbreakable German cipher known as Enigma. He assembles a diverse team of cryptanalysts and follows an... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: January 29, 2026

About The Imitation Game

During World War II, a tense race against time unfolds at Britain's top secret code breaking center, Bletchley Park. A mathematician named Alan Turing is recruited to crack the seemingly unbreakable German cipher known as Enigma. He assembles a diverse team of cryptanalysts and follows an unconventional approach that clashes with tradition and policy, aiming to build a machine capable of deciphering the daily flood of encrypted messages. As the clock ticks, the team faces constant pressure from wartime urgency, bureaucratic doubt, and personal friction. The film balances sharp puzzle solving with a portrait of a man whose genius is matched by a complicated personal life, and the moral stakes of turning secrets into victory. The clock never stops ticking.

The film is directed by Morten Tyldum and adapted from Andrew Hodges' biography of Alan Turing, with a screenplay by Graham Moore. The collaboration blends historical research with dramatic pacing to bring a pivotal wartime chapter to the screen today.

Box office performance was strong worldwide, with broad appeal across theaters and audiences. The Imitation Game became a commercial success, helping to expand public interest in wartime code breaking and the human stories behind secrecy. It resonated with global audiences.

The movie helped reframe Alan Turing as a cultural figure and sparked renewed interest in Bletchley Park's wartime efforts. It fed public conversations about cryptography, artificial intelligence, and the ethical questions raised by secret work, while highlighting the personal toll of discrimination alongside achievement for future filmmakers and historians alike.

Critics generally praised the film for its brisk storytelling, strong performances, and thoughtful look at intellect, secrecy, and moral responsibility during war. Core themes include the tension between individual brilliance and collective effort, the cost of hiding truths, and the way society treats difference under pressure across generations and disciplines.

What Viewers Are Saying

8.0/10
from 17,777 ratings

Viewers praise the strong performances, particularly Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of Alan Turing, and appreciate the engaging WWII setting and overall production quality. Many find the story compelling and well told, capturing both the historical context and broader themes like acceptance. However, some viewers criticize the film for taking significant liberties with historical accuracy, which detracts from its credibility for those familiar with Turing's life. There are also mixed feelings about the character portrayal, with some noting similarities to Cumberbatch's previous roles.

Details

Release Date
November 14, 2014
Runtime
1h 53m
Rating
PG-13
User Ratings
17,777 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
History, Drama, Thriller, War
Country
United States
Studio
Bristol Automotive +2 more
Budget
$14,000,000
Box Office
$233,555,708
External Links
View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch

Alan Turing

Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley

Joan Clarke

Matthew Goode

Matthew Goode

Hugh Alexander

Rory Kinnear

Rory Kinnear

Detective Robert Nock

Allen Leech

Allen Leech

John Cairncross

Matthew Beard

Matthew Beard

Peter Hilton

Charles Dance

Charles Dance

Commander Denniston

Mark Strong

Mark Strong

Stewart Menzies

James Northcote

James Northcote

Jack Good

Tom Goodman-Hill

Tom Goodman-Hill

Sergeant Staehl

Director: Morten Tyldum

Written by: Graham Moore, Andrew Hodges

Frequently Asked Questions

The Imitation Game is not currently available on streaming subscription services, but you can rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Yes, you can rent on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video or buy on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

With a rating of 8.0/10 from 17,777 viewers, The Imitation Game is well-regarded and recommended by viewers.

During World War II, a tense race against time unfolds at Britain's top secret code breaking center, Bletchley Park. A mathematician named Alan Turing is recruited to crack the seemingly unbreakable German cipher known as Enigma. He assembles a diverse team of cryptanalysts and follows an unconve...

The Imitation Game stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Rory Kinnear, and Allen Leech.

The Imitation Game was directed by Morten Tyldum.

The Imitation Game was released on November 14, 2014.

The Imitation Game is a History, Drama, Thriller, and War film.

Yes. The film is based on the real life story of Alan Turing, a legendary cryptanalyst, and depicts the code-breaking work at Britain's Bletchley Park during World War II, though it dramatizes events for the screen.

It won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (Graham Moore) at the 87th Academy Awards. This recognition highlighted the film's adaptation of the Alan Turing story.

Benedict Cumberbatch plays Alan Turing, the legendary cryptanalyst at the center of the code-breaking effort. The film follows Turing's work at Britain's top-secret code-breaking unit during World War II.

Keira Knightley plays Joan Clarke, a fellow cryptanalyst who works closely with Turing. Her character is a key member of the team at Bletchley Park.