The John le Carré adaptation Our Kind of Traitor is not like 2011’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. In other words, it isn’t slow, plodding or downright boring. The movie, which stars Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgaard, Naomie Harris and Damian Lewis, is an interesting, engaging and unpredictable thriller—though its story doesn’t ultimately amount to a whole lot.

Our Kind of Traitor is a spy thriller that relies on story over action; like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, it’s well made and well-acted, but unlike that “methodically methodical” movie, Our Kind of Traitor at least gives a little back to the audience.

In the form of entertainment value.

Rather than focusing on a bunch of spies speaking in doublespeak, Traitor follows a professor and his lawyer wife who by happenstance are drawn into a dangerous web involving the Russian mafia and MI6. The result is a more accessible albeit less complicated story that chugs along at a reasonable pace and holds your attention from beginning to end.

That said, there’s nothing so remarkable about Our Kind of Traitor that makes the movie a must-watch. As engaging as it is, the story sort of ends with a whimper, despite director Susanna White’s best attempt to eek every last ounce of excitement from the script. The climax is more satisfying than Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’s, but if you’re looking for the next James Bond or Jason Bourne, this is not it.

Our Kind of Tailor isn’t the most amazing and thrilling movie you’ll see all year, but it’s a solidly made and compelling thriller nonetheless.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.