While he may be more notable for Doctor Strange these days Benedict Cumberbatch already established himself in great roles like Sherlock and voicing the dragon Smaug in The Hobbit. I must admit though I like seeing him in the non-genre roles even more like his more recent film The Mauritanian and his latest The Courier co-starring Merab Ninidze, Rachel Brosnahan, Jessie Buckley, and Angus Wright. Could this film do justice to the incredible true story of a British spy and Russian sleeper agent or will it fail to make the drop?

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The Courier follows unassuming British businessman Greville Wynne becomes entangled in one of the greatest international conflicts in history. Recruited by MI6 and a CIA operative, Wynne forms a covert partnership with Soviet officer Oleg Penkovsky, and both men risk everything in a danger-fraught race against time to provide the intelligence needed to prevent nuclear confrontation and end the Cuban Missile Crisis.

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This is a slow burn movie that is pretty compelling despite not being overly exciting. This is the kind of film you have to just watch and let it happen. The performances carry the story as it moves along and everyone here does a good job at keeping you engaged throughout. Cumberbatch is excellent here bringing a somewhat proper but bumbling persona initially that grows in confidence as the film progresses without ever coming off as anything other than serious.

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The first half of the film is all about the set up per usual and then shifts into the espionage. I kind of expected it to be a bit more exciting here, but it is pretty subdued while still being well executed end interesting. For me it was that last half of the film that really gives Cumberbatch the chance to flex his acting muscles. He is put through the ringer emotionally, mentally and physically and knocks it out of the park. This is where the film really shines and brings it home just as it should.

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In addition to the film this release offers up bonus content including a behind the scenes featurette. Step into the world of espionage when The Courier available now on Blu-ray and DVD from Lionsgate Home Entertainment.