An Officer and a Spy Review: Roman Polanski Narrates a Story of Injustice

      Note: This review was initially published as part of our 2019 Venice coverage. An Officer and a Spy will be released in theaters on August 8, 2025.

      What approach should one take when it comes to the film An Officer and a Spy? On one side, it serves as a strong, informative, and relevant dramatization of the Dreyfus affair, the notorious political scandal from the late 19th century in which a French Jewish soldier was wrongly accused and imprisoned for treason. Conversely, it tells a story about injustice and persecution directed by, notably, Roman Polanski.

      So, considering that first aspect: a particularly charming and mustachioed Jean Dujardin plays George Picquart, the individual who unravels the threads of the Dreyfus scandal. Polanski structures the narrative similarly to how Mike Leigh did in Peterloo, another film addressing 19th-century social injustices, as it meticulously lays out names, dates, and individuals involved before taking a more intense turn in the final act. The first half of An Officer and a Spy primarily focuses on this groundwork, and viewers who are not well-versed in the intricate details of the events will find much to appreciate in the world Polanski has created, filled with historical espionage and betrayals.

      At times, it can also feel somewhat like an academic exercise. The story begins right after Picquart has assumed his role as head of the army's rudimentary intelligence division, where he will uncover the key evidence in this story: a memorandum used to convict Dreyfus that was, in fact, written by a high-ranking French officer. Polanski takes his time to establish this point. He rarely ventures beyond the dusty confines of his world in the initial two-thirds, yet he still manages to engage the audience, culminating in a third act that is quite exhilarating—transitioning from claustrophobic back rooms to exquisite Parisian streets, lively courtroom scenes, a handwriting expert played by a captivating Mathieu Amalric, and even a sword fight.

      The film was originally titled J’Accuse, referencing Émile Zola’s open letter that accused the French government of antisemitism. Zola features in the film, but the clear and timely implications of his act—one of the most significant examples of a free press confronting power—are somewhat glossed over in favor of the more enticing aspects of the narrative. Polanski adapted the screenplay with Robert Harris from Harris’ own semi-fictional account of the affair, and the story unfolds like a page-turner: filled with heroism, betrayal, and systemic corruption (yes, it reaches the highest authorities). An Officer and a Spy was photographed by Paweł Edelman, who delivers the same darkly grand, wide-angle visuals that he provided for Polanski’s last major thriller, The Ghost Writer. Dujardin excels in his traditional leading man role, appearing dashing and committed, alongside strong performances from Emmanuelle Seigner (as his partner Pauline Monnier) and Louis Garrel (as the unfortunate Dreyfus).

      Then there is that other side: An Officer and a Spy was chosen to compete at the 2019 Venice Film Festival, a decision that was supported by Lucretia Martel, the jury's head. The Zama director mentioned in her opening press conference that while she wouldn't necessarily celebrate the director if he won, the film would be judged just like any other. Her team later awarded it the Grand Jury prize (essentially second place) during a ceremony that some interpreted as a comment against outrage culture (the Gold Lion was given to Todd Phillips’ Joker).

      The press materials for the film included an interview with Polanski, where he candidly acknowledged the film's personal significance, stating, “I can see the same determination to deny the facts and condemn me for things I have not done.” This might be overwhelming for some viewers, but assessed on its own terms, An Officer and a Spy proves that the director can still craft a compelling thriller. Dreyfus was sent to Devil’s Island, a penal colony near the coast of French Guiana, for his misfortunes. Polanski has been a fugitive from U.S. justice for over four decades, residing in arguably more favorable conditions in France. It’s not hard to perceive the director feeling a distorted sense of connection with his protagonist. Interpret that however you wish.

      An Officer and a Spy premiered at the Venice Film Festival.