Russell Crowe, Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe spy thriller streaming [Image Source: COLLIDERIMAGES]
The Russell Crowe spy thriller streaming on Pluto TV, Body of Lies, will soon be leaving the platform as its free availability ends this month. This marks the last chance for fans to watch the acclaimed collaboration between Crowe and director Ridley Scott without a paid subscription.
A Look Back at the Crowe-Scott Partnership and Their Acclaimed Thriller
Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott forged a notable partnership, producing a series of four films starting with Gladiator in 2000. Their creative alliance, however, concluded after Robin Hood, as their professional relationship appeared to cool, particularly following comments related to Gladiator II, a project Crowe did not join. The actor openly criticized the sequel, expressing disappointment with its direction and suggesting it detracted from the original film’s acclaim. Despite speculation over future collaborations, their existing body of work includes Body of Lies, a film often regarded as underappreciated in their joint filmography.
Body of Lies was released in 2008, featuring Russell Crowe as the handler to Leonardo DiCaprio’s undercover operative in the Middle East. The film’s narrative structure kept the two stars apart for much of the story, drawing comparisons to iconic pairings like Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in Heat. Though the production carried a significant budget of $70 million, its box office return was modest, with global earnings just under $120 million. The film faced a range of critical responses, currently holding a 55% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. According to critics,
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“Body of Lies relies on the performances of Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio to elevate it beyond the conventional espionage thriller.”
– Critics, Rotten Tomatoes
Crowe and DiCaprio Amid Awards Season Buzz
This year, both Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio find themselves in the award season’s spotlight, albeit in different capacities. Crowe’s recent film, Nuremberg, set during World War II, appeared early on as a possible awards contender. However, momentum shifted, and attention moved toward Michael Shannon in the Best Supporting Actor category for the same release. Consequently, Nuremberg is no longer seen as likely to clinch major awards honors.
Leonardo DiCaprio, in contrast, remains a frontrunner for Best Actor at the Oscars, praised for his role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. The film has garnered critical acclaim and is projected to secure multiple nominations across several categories. Audiences have options to watch One Battle After Another from home, while Nuremberg is available in theaters. For those seeking to revisit Body of Lies, time is limited, with the film departing Pluto TV’s free library by month’s end.
Details on Body of Lies and Its Main Cast
Body of Lies brought together two celebrated actors, with Leonardo DiCaprio portraying the embedded operative and Russell Crowe acting as his stateside handler. Their dynamic and separate arcs helped distinguish the film from more traditional espionage thrillers, providing strong performances that critics noted as its main strength. Set against Middle Eastern backdrops and tense international scenarios, the movie’s storyline and high-profile cast continue to attract interest among fans of the genre.
With Body of Lies soon leaving Pluto TV’s free offerings, viewers still have a brief window to stream this Russell Crowe spy thriller before it becomes unavailable without subscription or purchase.
The limited time to watch Body of Lies reflects changing availability in streaming, and as Oscar season highlights Crowe’s and DiCaprio’s ongoing impact in cinema, fans of the actors and the genre are encouraged to catch this gripping film while they still can.
