The Salisbury Poisonings: A Spy Next Door

2026 1h 19m EN

😐

6.3

MID

★6.3TMDB · 3

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

The story begins in March 2018, when former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia collapse on a park bench in Salisbury, England – a quaint, historic city where nothing normally happens. But what starts as a local incident explodes into a geopolitical crisis, which exposes the covert espionage war being raged between Russia and the West. A cinematic portrait of loyalty and betrayal and a story that resonates amid ongoing tensions with Russia, the documentary explores the collision of two men: Sergei Skripal and Vladimir Putin, the dictator determined to settle an old score by sending assassins to Salisbury armed with the deadly nerve agent Novichok.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Neil Basu
Self
Richard Dearlove
Self
Meg Edgar
Self
Christo Grozev
Self
Theresa May
Self
Charlie Rowley
Self
Amber Rudd
Self
John Sawers
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Daniel Vernon
Languages: English, Russian
Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 79-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released this year — you're seeing it while it's still in the cultural conversation.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Russian.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: United Kingdom, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Daniel Vernon, shot by Toby Lloyd. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Shane McCormack shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Neil Basu and Richard Dearlove and Meg Edgar carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt40233069 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Daniel Vernon directs. Toby Lloyd behind the camera. Shane McCormack cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom, United States of America. Dialogue in English, Russian.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 79-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
2Released this year — you're seeing it while it's still in the cultural conversation.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Russian.
4International production across 2 countries: United Kingdom, United States of America.
5Directed by Daniel Vernon, shot by Toby Lloyd. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Editor Shane McCormack shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Neil Basu and Richard Dearlove and Meg Edgar carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt40233069 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 3 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.