The Informer
Performance & Direction: The Informer Review
Last updated: February 18, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Informer (2019) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Informer features a noteworthy lineup led by Joel Kinnaman . Supported by the likes of Rosamund Pike and Common , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Informer
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2019, The Informer is a Drama, Crime, Thriller film directed by Andrea Di Stefano. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Joel Kinnaman.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. In New York, former convict Pete Koslow, related to the Polish mafia, must deal with both Klimek the General, his ruthless boss, and the twisted ambitions of two federal agents, as he tries to survive and protect the lives of his loved ones. The screenplay takes time to develop Joel Kinnaman's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Joel Kinnaman's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: The Informer
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Andrea Di Stefano, The Informer concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Joel Kinnaman, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Informer reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Informer Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Informer incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a drama, crime, thriller film directed by Andrea Di Stefano, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Joel Kinnaman's character.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Informer adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Informer?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Joel Kinnaman or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: The Informer
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $60.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $2.9M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Informer Budget
The estimated production budget for The Informer is $60.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Informer
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Informer Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoThe Informer Parents Guide & Age Rating
2019 AdvisoryWondering about The Informer age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Informer is 109 minutes (1h 49m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Informer is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2019 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Informer worth watching?
The Informer is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Informer parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Informer identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Informer?
The total duration of The Informer is 109 minutes, which is approximately 1h 49m long.
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How The Informer Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Informer
At times, this is quite an engrossing crime drama about a convict who goes back into prison to help the FBI tackle a dodgy European drug lord and in so doing confronts his fair share of betrayal and authority corruption too. Joel Kinnaman holds this violent thriller together quite well but the rest of the cast really struggle to make much impact and it does dip in the middle somewhat. Somebody, somewhere, has clearly decided that Ana de Armas is one to watch - thus far in her career, however, the reasons why are escaping me and Rosamund Pike - even in "Gone Girl" - always seems a bit too detached to me; whatever her role.
59/100 A guy, who got an early parole to inform for the FBI, unwittingly gets involved in the killing of an undercover officer. Things go down hill from there. So does the movie, in a way. It's very sluggish with a complicated series of events that's vastly overwhelmed with the drama of it all. The acting is exceptional (except, perhaps, his wife who only appears to have one expression), the writing is good, and it's a well made film. But it is squarely a drama and not a very active one at that. Plus, they left a couple of pretty important story lines dangling. Good, but needs energy. -- DrNostromo.com
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
