Phil Roberts 
Tom Kingsley’s Deep Cover is a hoot. Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Nick Mohammed are a phenomenal trio that heightens the fabulous ensemble cast around them.
I didn’t know what to expect from Tom Kingsley’s Deep Cover. Having been invited to the film’s world premiere, I deliberately avoided all the trailers in favor of going in cold, and I am pleased I did. Bringing many of the best talents in British cinema to the fore, along with the always dependable Bryce Dallas Howard, the film has everything going for it. But can this slice of British cinema do the unthinkable and cement its status as a modern classic? Or does the film bring nothing fresh to the table?
REVIEW
Fear not, film fans, because Tom Kingsley’s Deep Cover is a hoot. The film is a non-stop rollercoaster ride from start to finish. Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Nick Mohammed are a phenomenal trio that heightens the fabulous ensemble cast around them. That, coupled with some invigorating energy and bags of dry British wit, ensures the film will be heralded as a bold, bombastic, and utterly British gem!
The film’s plot presents a fresh take on the action-comedy genre. Marlon (Orlando Bloom) is a washed-up method actor who takes his work too seriously. Hugh (Nick Mohammed) is a data technician struggling to make friends and looking to improve his social skills. Kat Boyles (Bryce Dallas Howard) is a part-time teacher at an improv acting school in London. As her own career struggles to take off, she finds herself teaching the next generation of talent while her own aspirations stagnate. However, when Hugh and Marlon enroll in her class, she unknowingly gains the opportunity to revive her dreams.
A PHENOMENAL TRIO
A soon-to-be retired police officer named Billings, played brilliantly by the national treasure Sean Bean, is watching her class. He is eager to solve one final major case in hopes of using some of the proceeds to make his retirement as comfortable as possible. Billings offers the trio a cash reward for busting a counterfeit cigarette ring that is emerging from London’s corner shops. With all three improv comedians adopting a hilariously crafted cover story, they unexpectedly stumble into a much larger criminal organization than any of them had anticipated, leading to a series of hilarious outcomes.
From Marlon’s constantly evolving and painful backstory to Hugh’s hilariously awkward new persona, the film picks up momentum and never lets up. Kat’s take-charge attitude propels the trio into some of the most outrageous situations imaginable, while Marlon uses these events to further develop his absurd alter ego, known as Roach. Hugh, on the other hand, finds his new persona, the techy drug specialist known as The Squire, and struggles to live up to his bloodthirsty backstory. Kat finds this new lease on life invigorating and crafts a new persona for herself, calling it Bonnie, a washed-up American drug dealer hiding out in London.
FLY SWATTING
Despite their outlandish new personas being somewhat unbelievable, Kat successfully persuades the store owner to introduce her to the mastermind behind the counterfeit cigarette operation. Soon, the trio finds themselves in a meeting with Fly, the leader of one of London’s largest criminal gangs, portrayed masterfully by the talented Paddy Considine. Fresh from his role in Paramount+’s MobLand, Considine seamlessly embodies the London gangster archetype, delivering one of his finest performances to date. Like in his previous roles, he excels as the villain but allows glimpses of his character’s humanity to emerge. Despite his wicked actions and dangerous demeanor, Fly possesses a great deal of heart, making him one of the film’s standout characters.
Having convinced Fly of their criminal credentials, the trio quickly finds themselves in the inner circle. Marlon’s Roach quickly becomes the trio’s muscle, while Hugh’s alter ego slips as he grows closer to Fly’s number two, a lethal assassin called Shosh (Sonoya Mizuno). Kat’s Bonnie quickly wins Fly’s favor, until they are all summoned to meet with Fly’s boss, London’s most respected gangster, Metcalfe, played by Ian McShane.
COPS AND ROBBERS
With Metcalfe smelling a rat in his organization, what follows is a race against time to gather the evidence they need to bring his empire down. All the while, trying to stay one step ahead of Metcalfe’s suspicions. The carefully structured story, written for the screen by Colin Trevorrow, Derek Connolly, Ben Ashenden, and Alexander Owen, takes more twists and turns than the audience is ready for, with Kat’s personal life thrown into chaos. With its expertly crafted set pieces, hilarious string of dry British jokes, and some of the most awkward situations imaginable, the film settles into a pleasant rhythm, delivering the perfect blend of action, suspense, drama, and humor.
Although Ian McShane’s character, Metcalfe, has limited screen time, his presence remains consistently impactful. This highlights the brilliance of his performance. While his accent may not be the strongest, McShane handles the role with skill, enriching the film as a result. Sean Bean is equally impressive as the corrupt cop, Billings. His character seems straight out of the finest British crime dramas and fits seamlessly into the story. It is a testament to Bean’s talent that he can portray such characters with such conviction, making it a pleasure to watch him in action.
 TERRIFIC TRIO
But make no mistake, this film belongs to the lead trio, and all three bring their A-game here. While the mainstream audience may be unfamiliar with Nick Mohammed’s work, the comedian is a staple of British television, and he takes to film like a duck to water. Here, his dry British wit, coupled with his naturally comedic timing, allows him to produce a role worthy of Hollywood’s best. His rapport with his co-stars is infectious, and all three create so much energy that it oozes through the screen when they interact. It delivers moments of genuine gold and gives the audience plenty to enjoy.
Bryce Dallas Howard, as always, brings a vibrant energy and infectious presence to the film. In her role as Kat, she portrays a character striving to pursue her dreams but struggling to achieve them. Her performance tells a relatable story that resonates with the audience, even as family and friends offer advice on how she should navigate her life. This is an experience many of us face at times, but Howard makes it relatable and delivers a character that we can easily root for.
BRILLIANT BLOOM
And finally, standing on their shoulders as the true standout of the film is Orlando Bloom. Who knew Bloom had it in him? In Deep Cover, Bloom delivers a phenomenal performance, one of the best in his filmography to date. With Marlon, he gets to flex his muscles and go deeper into a character than anything we have seen before. We share his struggles, feel for his failures, and rally behind him when his luck runs out. However, as Roach, with his constantly evolving and absurd backstories, Bloom delivers one of his best and funniest performances. Bloom quickly settles into his groove and allows the material to speak for itself, and the comedy naturally oozes from every fiber of his being. It is the ultimate surprise package.
What makes this performance truly memorable is that, as a method actor, he plays the role with a deadpan expression, which enhances the humor in his delivery. His performance carries a lot of weight, yet his expertise allows his character to be funny even when he’s not trying to be. Achieving this balance is challenging, but Bloom excels in this role, delivering a performance that deserves recognition, and for me, this is his best role to date.
VERDICT
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Deep Cover. The film capitalises on the brilliance of its cast and its exceptional talent behind the camera to deliver the surprise package of the year. It takes a tried-and-tested formula and throws the rulebook out the window to inject something fun and fresh that deserves to be seen on the big screen. Sadly, after its big-screen world premiere, the film is headed straight to streaming, but this gives audiences the chance to gather around the TV and settle in for a true delight.
With its brilliant performances, carefully curated soundtrack, incredible writing, and expert directorial vision, Deep Cover is a non-stop rollercoaster ride from start to finish. While it might not reinvent the wheel, it works wonders with its fresh take on the genre. Especially if you go in cold and avoid every trailer. So, grab a couple of beers, call your friends over, and settle in for a hilarious night of fun and frolics on the streets of London. A new gem of British cinemas has arrived. Enjoy!
Deep Cover is now available to stream on Prime Video.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
