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Decrypted

average rating is 3 out of 5

Critic:

Jason Knight

|

Posted on:

Nov 4, 2021

Film Reviews
Decrypted
Directed by:
Tom Sands
Written by:
Mick Sands
Starring:
Sophia Myles, David Hoflin, Don Gilet, Akie Kotabe, Talisa Garcia, Clive Francis, Amanda Abbington, Kevin McNally

Members of the National Security Agency kidnap the creator of Bitcoin and bring him to an apartment for interrogation. However, things do not go according to plan, leading to outrageous consequences.

 

Due to the issues it might cause in the financial world, the Trump administration categorizes its developer as a terrorist and the NSA takes action. Special officer Beth Barnes (Myles) and captain Buck Johnson (Hoflin) have been assigned to capture Satoshi Nakamoto (Kotabe), the man who created Bitcoin and extract valuable information from him that will eliminate cryptocurrencies. In London, Nakamoto and his associate Sofia (Garcia) are taken by Barnes and Johnson and brought to an apartment, where they plan to make them cooperate. Unbeknown to them, they are being spied on by two members of the MI5, who are staying in the building opposite them. The two NSA members report their progress to Colonel Pike (McNally), who is in the United States. The mission swiftly goes downhill as Johnson finds himself unable to resist Sofia and loses his patience with Nakamoto. Eventually, the people in the apartment are injected with a substance that makes them tell the truth, leading to all sorts of shenanigans.

 

Most of the story in this adult dark comedy takes place inside the London apartment, following the situation as it spirals out of control. The operation begins OK, then Johnson's behaviour turns things around, as he becomes sexually involved with Sofia and viciously beats Nakamoto and repeatedly waterboards him. The administration of the truth serum drugs is what leads the story to its catastrophic conclusion.

 

It should be mentioned that this movie is not for sensitive viewers. There is often very strong language, a very strong sex scene and a great deal of sex talk. The part where Nakamoto is assaulted and tortured might be quite upsetting to some.

 

The protagonists deliver entertaining performances as mostly awkward individuals. Hoflin's character is the one who steals the show with his over-the-top performance as a person who ignores his mission and is more interested in pursuing his sexual desires and goes berserk as he attempts to make Nakamoto talk. Myles is the one who is focused on her duty and tries to keep it together. McNally also has an interesting role as a nervous military man who is constantly sitting at his desk, trying to put together a miniature battleship. Recognition also goes to Francis who plays a resident of the building where the interrogation is taking place and finds himself getting caught in the middle of it.

 

Haydn West develops wonderful cinematography that works particularly well during the flashbacks. Richard Morson makes a great contribution with the music that is dramatic, atmospheric, tense, mesmerising and entertaining.

 

Decrypted is not for everyone. It contains a lot of profanity and a great deal of dialogue about sex. One could also argue that the film is a bit overlong. Nevertheless, those who enjoy dark and adult humour will probably not be disappointed.

About the Film Critic
Jason Knight
Jason Knight
Digital / DVD Release, Indie Feature Film
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