The Night Manager (2016)
Based on John le Carré’s novel, The Night Manager (2016) is a gripping espionage thriller that blends luxury, betrayal, and high-stakes international crime. Directed by Susanne Bier, the six-part BBC/AMC miniseries delivers a stylish and suspenseful narrative, led by an outstanding cast.
Tom Hiddleston stars as Jonathan Pine, a former British soldier turned hotel night manager who gets drawn into the world of arms dealing after an encounter with a woman in Cairo. When British intelligence officer Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) recruits him to infiltrate the empire of the ruthless arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie), Pine embarks on a dangerous undercover mission.
Navigating deception, shifting loyalties, and his own moral dilemmas, Pine must earn Roper’s trust while maintaining his cover.
Hiddleston is magnetic as Pine, blending charm with quiet intensity, while Laurie delivers a chilling performance as the sophisticated yet sinister Roper. Olivia Colman brings emotional depth to her role, adding a strong counterbalance to the high-stakes game of deception. The supporting cast, including Elizabeth Debicki as Roper’s conflicted girlfriend Jed, enhances the series’ intrigue.
Visually, The Night Manager is stunning, with lavish settings from the Swiss Alps to Mediterranean resorts, reinforcing the contrast between opulence and corruption. The series thrives on tense, slow-burning storytelling, heightened by an evocative score and sharp cinematography.
While some deviations from the novel modernize the plot, they don’t diminish its intensity. The pacing builds steadily, delivering a satisfying mix of espionage, action, and psychological drama. The final episodes are particularly tense, leading to a resolution that—while slightly altered from the book—remains impactful.
Overall, The Night Manager is a sophisticated, well-crafted thriller with powerhouse performances, making it one of the finest spy series in recent years.