Closed Circuit

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Closed Circuit

R

2013

1h 36m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

43%

Tomatometer

131 Reviews

31%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

A terrorist attack in London results in the capture of suspect Farroukh Erdogan (Denis Moschitto). The attorney general appoints Claudia Simmons-Howe (Rebecca Hall) as special advocate on Erdogan's legal team. On the eve of the trial, Erdogan's lawyer dies, and a new defense attorney, Martin Rose (Eric Bana), steps in. Martin and Claudia are former lovers, a fact which must remain hidden. As Martin assembles his case, he uncovers a sinister conspiracy, placing him and Claudia in danger.

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Critics Consensus

Slick and well acted, Closed Circuit unfortunately never quite works up a full head of steam, with a plot that's alternately predictable and full of holes.

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Geoffrey Macnab

Independent (UK)

Feb 21, 2014

3/5

The film's attempts to expose flaws in the criminal justice system or give insights into the war against terror seem superficial, but Closed Circuit is entertaining in a sub-Hitchcock way.

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David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

Feb 18, 2014

3.5/5

This is a genre I usually enjoy and while CLOSED CIRCUIT has some shortcomings it's a thought-provoking thriller.

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Oct 28, 2013

2/5

Some moody night-time London location work from cinematographer Rob Hardy almost saves the day, but overall it's a losing battle.

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

Feb 12, 2021

In any event, artistically incomplete though it may be, Closed Circuit is a chilling, disturbing film.

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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Aug 23, 2019

Closed Circuit isn't so much of a misstep as a missed opportunity to say something noteworthy.

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Frank Ochieng

SF Crowsnest

Nov 14, 2018

2/4

Circuit had the potential for conveying its cinematic trade as an emotional vacuum for insinuation, interrogation, infiltration and ideology. Instead, it swoops up the lint of an arbitrary character-driven thriller that tediously talks

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Barbara B

@barbfrmrp Mar 2, 2026

It was a good thriller. It did have shome holes in the plot. It wasn't a waste of tiem I loved the actors.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Sep 25, 2025

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Steve D

@RT35616104 Oct 18, 2023

Passable entertainment only.

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jelisije j

@jjosifovic Dec 26, 2022

An underrated film that took the subject matter seriously and left a lasting realistic impression upon the viewer.

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jane

@RT76195475 Jul 14, 2021

I'm always looking for a good thriller! Glad to find one! A great cast that includes Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall in understated performances, as well as Ciaran Hinds and Julia Stiles. Highly recommend!

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Nov 16, 2020

After a terrorist attack at a crowded London market the worlds' attention is drawn to the ensuing court case and the two defense lawyers tasked with defending the mastermind behind the attack. From the very start the lawyers feel like they are being played by another government agency who are orchestrating the direction in which the case will lead. When they discover the man arrested for the crime may not be who he says he his they find their lives and the life of the man they are defending are all in danger. I quite liked this thriller. It's a slow burner that drops subtle hints throughout at the intentions of numerous characters conspiring in the background against the greater good. Both the leads worked well but the standout characters for me were those played by Jim Broadbent and Riz Ahmed. To reveal any more about their intentions would reveal spoilers but they were certainly the most memorable. An enjoyable paranoid thriller that is well worth seeing.

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John Crowley

Director

Eric Bana

Martin

Rebecca Hall

Claudia

Ciarán Hinds

Devlin

Jim Broadbent

Attorney General

Riz Ahmed

Nazrul Sharma

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Synopsis

A terrorist attack in London results in the capture of suspect Farroukh Erdogan (Denis Moschitto). The attorney general appoints Claudia Simmons-Howe (Rebecca Hall) as special advocate on Erdogan's legal team. On the eve of the trial, Erdogan's lawyer dies, and a new defense attorney, Martin Rose (Eric Bana), steps in. Martin and Claudia are former lovers, a fact which must remain hidden. As Martin assembles his case, he uncovers a sinister conspiracy, placing him and Claudia in danger.

Director: John Crowley
Producer: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Chris Clark
Screenwriter: Steven Knight
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Focus Features, Working Title Films
Rating: R (Language|Brief Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 28, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.7M
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital

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