Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2023) – Spies, Schemes, and Slick Style Collide

Saving the world requires style, sarcasm, and just a touch of blackmail

Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2023) delivers a high-octane blend of espionage, comedy, and slick sophistication courtesy of director Guy Ritchie. With Jason Statham in the lead as elite super-spy Orson Fortune, the film spins a globe-trotting tale of covert operations, stolen tech, and a reluctant Hollywood star thrown into the world of international crime. It’s a modern spy romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously—yet still manages to pack a punch.

The plot kicks off when a dangerous new weapons technology is stolen and put up for sale by a flamboyant billionaire arms dealer, Greg Simmonds (played with scene-stealing charm by Hugh Grant). Tasked with retrieving it before it falls into the wrong hands, Fortune assembles a quirky team of operatives, including cyber expert Sarah (Aubrey Plaza), who brings biting sarcasm to every mission. But their most unexpected weapon? Danny Francesco, a famous actor (Josh Hartnett), blackmailed into using his celebrity status to infiltrate Simmonds' circle.

True to Guy Ritchie's style, the film crackles with sharp dialogue, clever editing, and a non-stop stream of stylish set pieces. From luxury yachts to exotic cities, every location oozes opulence, danger, and a hint of absurdity. But beneath the glitz is a fast-moving plot filled with double-crosses, disguises, and enough dry wit to fill a Bond film with a hangover. Jason Statham delivers exactly what audiences expect: icy cool, fists of fury, and zero patience for nonsense.

What sets Operation Fortune apart is its tongue-in-cheek tone. While other spy thrillers dive deep into moral complexity or gritty realism, this film embraces the absurdity of its world. Hugh Grant, in particular, seems to relish playing against type, giving Simmonds an oily charm that’s both funny and menacing. And Aubrey Plaza adds a much-needed injection of modern sarcasm and unpredictability into the genre.

Ultimately, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre is popcorn entertainment at its slickest. It may not revolutionize the spy genre, but it doesn’t need to—it knows exactly what it is: fast, flashy, and unapologetically fun. If you’re looking for sharp suits, cooler-than-you agents, and enough banter to fill an MI6 briefing, this mission is worth accepting.