The November Man Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Ex-Bond Pierce Brosnan gets mad that his student agent kills his girlfriend-spy, so he decides to ruin a Russian election AND take on the CIA…because reasons.

🍿 The November Man: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Mission Gone Wrong

In 2008, CIA operative Peter Devereaux and his protégé, David Mason, are on a mission to protect a U.S. Ambassador. Devereaux orders Mason not to fire at an assassin due to the assassin’s proximity to civilians, but Mason disobeys, resulting in the death of a child. Devereaux retires following this tragic event, haunted by the loss of innocent life and his former pupil’s reckless actions.

Back in the Game

Years later, Devereaux is pulled back into the field by his former boss, John Hanley, to extract a CIA asset, Natalia Ulanova, from Russia. Natalia possesses information about Arkady Federov, a Russian presidential candidate, who is suspected of war crimes. The situation quickly escalates when Devereaux discovers that Mason is also involved, working for a different faction within the CIA, creating a dangerous conflict between mentor and student.

Betrayal and Pursuit

Natalia is killed, but not before she provides Devereaux with crucial information and a name: Mira Filipova. Devereaux realizes he’s been set up and is now a target. He goes rogue, determined to uncover the truth behind Natalia’s murder and expose the conspiracy involving high-level CIA officials and Federov. He seeks out Alice Fournier, a social worker connected to Mira, for help, finding himself pursued by Mason and a deadly assassin.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Peter Devereaux (Pierce Brosnan): A retired CIA operative, nicknamed ‘The November Man’ for his lethal effectiveness, is drawn back into a dangerous mission involving his former protégé.
• Mason (Luke Bracey): A skilled but impulsive CIA agent and former protégé of Devereaux, finds himself on opposing sides in a deadly game.
• Alice Fournier (Olga Kurylenko): A social worker, formerly known as Mira Filipova, holds crucial information about a corrupt Russian presidential candidate and becomes Devereaux’s ally.
• Arkady Federov (Lazar Ristovski): A ruthless Russian presidential candidate with a dark past and ties to war crimes, becomes the target of Devereaux’s mission.
• John Hanley (Bill Smitrovich): Devereaux’s former boss and CIA handler, manipulates events for his own ambitious geopolitical agenda, ultimately becoming the main antagonist.
• Alexa (Amila Terzimehic): Fedorov’s deadly and acrobatic personal assassin hunts down anyone who knows the dirty secret from his past.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Devereaux: “You can be a human, or a killer of humans, but not both. Eventually one of those people will extinguish the other one.” – Devereaux explains his philosophy to Mason, highlighting the moral conflict within their profession.
• Devereaux: “Know what we used to call you Peter? The November Man. Cause after you passed through, nothing lived.” – Weinstein reveals Devereaux’s reputation and the destructive consequences that follow him.
• Devereaux: “I’m not who you think I am.” – Devereaux’s mysterious past and true intentions are revealed.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $25,018,119
• Worldwide Gross: $39,661,919

💥 The November Man Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, as a total spy movie junkie, I had to see this. Brosnan still has ‘it’, that suave coolness, but honestly, the story was all over the place. I loved the Belgrade setting, it gave it a unique feel, but I kept losing track of who was double-crossing whom. That scene where Brosnan’s character plays Russian roulette? Intense! Overall, entertaining, but don’t expect a masterpiece.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy spy thrillers with political intrigue”
  • “Audiences interested in action movies set in European locations”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Suggestive scenes”
  • “Mentions of sexual abuse”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Brosnan’s stoic performance anchors this familiar spy thriller, but the convoluted plot and excessive violence detract from a potentially engaging story. It’s a watchable, if unmemorable, entry in the genre.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While Brosnan effortlessly slips back into spy mode, ‘The November Man’ suffers from a predictable storyline and lack of originality. The action sequences are competently executed, but fail to elevate the film above mediocrity.
• Empire: “A solid if unspectacular spy thriller that benefits from Pierce Brosnan’s return to the genre. While the plot is somewhat derivative, the action is well-handled, and Brosnan’s world-weary performance is a definite highlight.

Audience Reactions

Pierce Brosnan delivers a strong performance, reminding viewers of his James Bond days.: Fans appreciated the old-school spy thriller vibe and action sequences.

Some found the plot confusing, with too many twists and turns that were hard to follow.: Viewers were split on the complexity of the storyline.

Overall Consensus: A decent but flawed spy thriller carried by Pierce Brosnan’s performance. The convoluted plot may confuse some viewers, but fans of the genre may still find it entertaining.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the novel ‘There Are No Spies’, the seventh book in Bill Granger’s ‘November Man’ series featuring the character Peter Devereaux.”
• “Pierce Brosnan was a driving force behind getting the film made, as he had long wanted to revisit the spy genre after his tenure as James Bond.”
• “Filming primarily took place in Belgrade, Serbia, due to its cost-effectiveness and the ability to portray various European locations.”
• “Olga Kurylenko, who plays Alice, had previously worked in the spy genre as a Bond girl in ‘Quantum of Solace’.”

🖥️ How to Watch The November Man?

The November Man is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for availability on cable and satellite providers. Physical copies, such as Blu-ray and DVD, can be purchased from online retailers like Amazon and at most major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The November Man, you might like these similar films:

• GoldenEye (1995): Features Pierce Brosnan in a spy role with action and international intrigue, similar to his Bond era.
• The American (2010): A lone assassin with a dark past seeks redemption, sharing thematic similarities with Devereaux’s character.
• Salt (2010): Features a CIA agent on the run, accused of being a double agent, with intense action and plot twists.
• Jack Reacher (2012): Presents a protagonist with a unique set of skills, involved in conspiracies with high level actors.

🛒 The November Man Related Products

• Bill Granger’s November Man Series: ‘There Are No Spies’: Dive deeper into the world of Peter Devereaux with the book that inspired the movie. Experience the original storyline and uncover even more intrigue and suspense.
• Spy Gear Night Vision Goggles: Gear up like a real spy with these night vision goggles! Perfect for kids and adults to engage in imaginative play and secret missions.
• The November Man (Blu-ray): Own the action-packed spy thriller on Blu-ray. Experience the intense fight scenes and intricate plot in high definition.
• CIA Challenge Coin: A detailed, high-quality replica, perfect for collectors and enthusiasts of espionage-themed items. The design of this coin is inspired by the covert operations showcased in spy films.

🎧 Soundtrack

The November Man features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Die This Way” – performed by Storm Large
• “Unknown Title” – performed by Marco Beltrami and Tyson Lozensky

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Brosnan’s Heartfelt Message to Robin Williams

Check out Pierce Brosnan’s touching tribute to Robin Williams at ‘The November Man’ premiere. It’s a really genuine moment and cool to see his personal connection.

‘The November Man’ and ‘Jessabelle’ | On Cinema Season 5, Ep. 9 | Adult Swim

Ever wondered what a super offbeat review of ‘The November Man’ would be like? The ‘On Cinema’ guys give their (hilarious) take – you might not agree with everything they say, but it’s definitely a fun watch!

✨ Rate