🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Andrea Di Stefano
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Action
- Release year: 2019
- Runtime (length): 1h 53min
- IMDb rating: 6.6/10 (44K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 60%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A guy keeps going to jail on purpose, which, honestly, sounds like a terrible life choice, unless you *really* hate your family.
🍿 The Informer: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Setting the Stage: Koslow’s Undercover Work
Pete Koslow, an ex-convict, is working undercover for FBI agents Wilcox and Montgomery to infiltrate a Polish drug operation led by a man known as ‘The General.’ He’s trying to balance his dangerous work with his desire to provide a normal life for his wife, Sofia, and daughter, Anna. The tension between his past and present creates a constant undercurrent of risk and uncertainty.

A Botched Deal and a Cop’s Death
During a drug transaction, an undercover NYPD officer is killed by Stazek, The General’s nephew. The situation quickly spirals out of control, putting Koslow in an impossible position. To protect his family from the wrath of the General, he’s forced to take the fall for the murder, agreeing to return to prison to maintain his cover and continue working for the FBI.

Incarceration and Double Crosses
Inside the maximum-security prison, Koslow is caught between the FBI’s demands and the dangerous power dynamics of the prison. He quickly realizes that he’s been set up by corrupt agents within the FBI. Meanwhile, NYPD Detective Grens begins to suspect a cover-up and starts investigating the circumstances surrounding the cop’s death, drawing closer to the truth.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Pete Koslow (Joel Kinnaman): An ex-convict who goes undercover and gets himself incarcerated again to infiltrate the mob.
- Wilcox (Rosamund Pike): An FBI agent who is responsible for Pete and oversees his operation.
- Grens (Common): An NYPD detective investigating the murder of a fellow officer, suspecting a cover-up.
- Sofia (Ana de Armas): Pete’s wife, whose safety is threatened due to Pete’s dangerous work.
- Montgomery (Clive Owen): A corrupt FBI agent involved in the events surrounding Pete’s undercover work.
- Klimek ‘The General’ (Eugene Lipinski): The ruthless leader of the Polish drug mob that Pete is trying to infiltrate.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Wilcox: “Sometimes the only way to fight fire is with fire.” – Wilcox explains her morally ambiguous methods to justify her actions in the complex undercover operation.
- Pete Koslow: “I just want to go home.” – Pete’s desperate plea, highlighting his motivation to survive and reunite with his family amidst the dangerous situation.
- Grens: “Everybody’s got a boss.” – Detective Grens expresses the pervasive corruption within the system, indicating everyone is beholden to someone.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $60,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $300,460
- Worldwide Gross: $2,927,708
💥 The Informer Reviews
Personal Review
I went into this movie not expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised! The gritty realism really grabbed me, and Joel Kinnaman’s performance was captivating. I especially liked the prison scenes, they felt so raw and intense. The plot had a few twists that kept me guessing, and overall, I found it to be a solid crime thriller. The relationship dynamics added depth, it’s a tense watch and I liked that.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of crime thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in stories about police corruption”
- “Those who enjoy intense, suspenseful movies”
- “Viewers that liked Sicario”
- “Those who liked Shot Caller”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong violence”
- “Drug use”
- “Language”
- “Threats and tense situations”
Professional Reviews
- IndieWire: “While competently made, ‘The Informer’ feels derivative, offering little new to the crime thriller genre. Kinnaman delivers a solid performance, but the plot’s predictability undermines its impact.
- Variety: “The film boasts strong performances from its cast, including Pike and Owen, but ultimately suffers from a convoluted plot and pacing issues. It struggles to maintain suspense, despite its gritty atmosphere.
Audience Reactions
Joel Kinnaman’s powerful performance as the conflicted protagonist.: Viewers praised Kinnaman’s acting and the movie’s realistic portrayal of the criminal underworld.
The tense and gritty atmosphere kept viewers on the edge of their seats.: Many enjoyed the movie’s suspenseful pacing and unpredictable plot twists.
Overall Consensus: Despite mixed critical reception, many viewers found ‘The Informer’ to be a gripping and well-acted crime thriller with a realistic and suspenseful storyline.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The movie was filmed in various locations in London, England, utilizing the city’s diverse architecture to stand in for New York City.”
- “Part of the filming took place in an abandoned prison in Gloucester, UK, adding a layer of realism to the prison scenes.”
- “The film is based on the novel ‘Three Seconds’ by Anders Roslund and Börge Hellström.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Informer?
The Informer is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options. It’s also often available on demand through your cable provider. For physical media collectors, the film can be purchased on Blu-ray and DVD from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Informer, you might like these similar films:
- Shot Caller (2017): Both films explore the brutal realities of prison life and the difficult choices characters make to survive within the system.
- Prisoners (2013): Features suspenseful crime drama with complex moral dilemmas and desperate parents.
- The Departed (2006): Explores themes of undercover work and corruption within law enforcement with high stakes.
- Animal Kingdom (2010): Australian crime drama focusing on family, loyalty, and moral compromise within criminal enterprises.
🛒 The Informer Related Products
- The Informer (Blu-ray): Own ‘The Informer’ on Blu-ray and experience the gripping crime thriller in high definition with bonus content.
- Prison Break: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]: The complete series of ‘Prison Break’ on Blu-ray. Relive all the twists and turns with exclusive bonus features and immerse yourself in the high-definition visuals.
- Altered Carbon: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]: Joel Kinnaman as Takeshi Kovacs. Altered Carbon explores themes of identity, mortality, and the consequences of technological advancements.
- The Informer Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the movie’s striking poster art. Perfect for displaying your love for the film.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Informer features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The Informer was filmed in various locations, including London, England and an abandoned prison in Gloucester, UK which stood in for parts of the US.
The Informer is based on the novel ‘Three Seconds’ by Anders Roslund and Börge Hellström. While the story is fictional, it draws inspiration from real-world issues of police corruption and the challenges faced by undercover operatives.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is a plot point in the film. The characters are trying to sell a large amount of it in the streets.
🔥 Bonus Content
Ex-US Soldier Forced To Go To Prison And Infiltrate a Mob
Want a quick refresher on the whole movie? This recap nails all the important parts and reminds you why the main character made such crazy choices. It’s surprisingly detailed for a summary!
A Secret FBI Agent In Prison Spying On Mafia || Explained In Hindi ||
For my Hindi-speaking friends, this video breaks down the movie’s plot in detail! It really helps understand the nuances and makes you appreciate the storyline even more.
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