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Ex-CIA Officer Breaks Down More Spy Movies

GQ | September 29, 2026



Former CIA intelligence officer John Kiriakou rewatches 11 more spy movies and reveals just how accurate Hollywood’s take on the covert really is. From Angelina Jolie’s double-agent thriller _Salt_ to the true-to-life award-winning historical drama _Bridge of Spies,_ Kiriakou breaks down scenes from the most popular spy movies.

_You can check out John’s new podcast John Kiriakou’s Briefing Room here: https://www.youtube.com/@realjohnkiriakou_

GQ recommends:
https://youtu.be/WRJzaHMj2IY

Watch more from GQ | The Breakdown: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0hKMB1-xkc8bPJ_N9BoGNnPBOFG1ZSZf&si=JbPebbDNlaS34CJy

#CIA #Spy #Salt

00:00 – John Kiriakou breaks down more spy movies
00:24 – The Equalizer 3 (2023)
03:38 – Bridge of Spies (2015)
07:08 – Salt (2010)
09:25 – Snowden (2016)
12:27 – The Courier (2020)
16:05 – Prison Break (2005 – 2017)
16:58 – Burn Notice (2007 – 2013)
18:42 – Spy Game (2001)
21:06 – Central Intelligence (2016)
22:05 – The Blacklist (2013 – 2023)
23:53 – Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018)

*Credits:*
Director: Jeremy Clowney
Director of Photography: Jack Belisle
Editor: Phil Ceconi
Talent: John Kiriakou
Senior Producer: Michael Beckert
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Production Manager: Evie Roop
Camera Operator: Carlos Araujo
Gaffer: David Djaco
Sound Mixer: Sean Paulsen
Production Assistant: Quinton Johnson
Post Production Supervisor: Jess Dunn
Post Production Coordinator: Stella Shortino
Supervising Editor: Rob Lombardi
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds
Talent Booker: Jenna Caldwell
Executive Producer: Cara Marceante
Director, Creative: Nick Collett
Associate Director, Programming: Jeremy Clowney

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Written by GQ

Comments

This post currently has 32 comments.

  29. @jatilq

    September 29, 2026 at 1:19 am

    You would think someone explain or ask him to know the context of the first scene. John i snot a walk in and it ruins what could have been a briliant breakdown of E3

  32. @ChacaCB4

    September 29, 2026 at 1:19 am

    Was this one of the "operatives" who was spying on American politicians and creating lies about Russian collusion? Do an episode where he talks about being a traitor and a political hack.

Comments are closed.

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