The film is set in the early 1970s during the Cold War and follows George Smiley (Gary Oldman), a retired intelligence officer who is brought back into service to uncover a Soviet mole within the highest echelons of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6).
The story begins with an operation gone wrong, leading to the resignation of Control (John Hurt), the head of MI6. Smiley is then tasked with investigating the possibility of a mole, identified by Control as one of four high-ranking officials: Percy Alleline (Toby Jones), Bill Haydon (Colin Firth), Roy Bland (Ciarán Hinds), and Toby Esterhase (David Dencik).
Smiley works in secret, employing the help of Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Ricki Tarr (Tom Hardy) to gather information. The narrative unfolds through flashbacks and present-day investigations as Smiley pieces together the puzzle of the mole’s identity.
The climax of the film occurs when Smiley confronts the true identity of the mole and unveils the extent of the betrayal within the intelligence community. The revelation has profound consequences for the characters involved, and the film explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of Cold War espionage.
The movie concludes with the exposure of the mole and the reshaping of the intelligence service. Smiley’s investigation has far-reaching consequences, and the film ends on a reflective note as he contemplates the nature of the world he has been a part of.
“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” received critical acclaim for its atmospheric direction, meticulous storytelling, and the exceptional performance of Gary Oldman. The film captures the complexity and moral ambiguity of le Carré’s source material, making it a notable entry in the espionage genre.