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The Game

The Game

2014–2015Miniseries1 season6 episodes~59 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

"The Game" is a 1970s Cold War spy thriller set in the world of espionage. It tells the story of the invisible war fought by MI5 as it battles to protect the nation from the threats of the Cold War.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Game?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Game to rent or buy on Apple TV, and on no subscription service.

Rent / Buy

Buy

Highlights

What stands out about The Game?

The Game earns 4 badges, led by Atmospheric and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is The Game worth watching?

The Game's Midcredits score is the 82nd percentile of all shows, from 4.2K ratings across 2 sources. 86% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

82nd percentile

Better received than 82% of shows

83rd percentile among Drama80th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)74th
Approval (how many liked it)85th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

76 /100

74th percentile of all shows

76th percentile among Drama72nd percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

Approval

How many liked it

86% liked it

85th percentile of all shows

85th percentile among Drama84th percentile among 2010s
86% rated it 7–1014% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

77th percentile

4.2K ratings across platforms

71st percentile among Drama78th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 28% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A deliberately slow-burn Cold War spy thriller with strong period atmosphere and a talented supporting cast, undermined by implausible plot mechanics and uneven writing.

Fans praised

  • Superb ensemble cast delivering nuanced performances
  • Authentic 1970s period detail in costumes, vehicles, and sets
  • Tense, brooding atmosphere with moody cinematography

Detractors panned

  • Laughable tradecraft and amateurish operational blunders
  • Derivative of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy without its subtlety
  • Miscast lead lacks charisma and emotional range

What stands out

Atmosphere82

Authentic 1970s London, moody and paranoid tone

Acting78

Supporting cast (Brian Cox, Victoria Hamilton, Paul Ritter) universally praised; lead Tom Hughes divisive

Cinematography78

Stylish visual palette evoking 1970s spy films, asymmetric angles

TensionDivisive72

Effective suspense despite plot holes, especially in later episodes

CharactersDivisive60

Well-acted but thin or stereotyped writing, weak lead arc

PacingDivisive55

Deliberate slow burn that accelerates in later episodes; polarizing

Plot and storyDivisive52

Intriguing premise but riddled with logical gaps and implausible twists

OriginalityDivisive35

Heavily derivative of Le Carré; seen as a pastiche

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 15 points higher than women.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Episodes

1 season

Season 1 · 2014 · 6 episodes

  • S1E1

    Episode 1

    Nov 5, 201459 min
  • S1E2

    Episode 2

    Nov 12, 201459 min
  • S1E3

    Episode 3

    Nov 19, 201459 min
  • S1E4

    Episode 4

    Nov 26, 201459 min
  • S1E5

    Episode 5

    Dec 3, 201459 min
  • S1E6

    Episode 6

    Dec 10, 201459 minFinale

Watch experience

What is The Game like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, dark and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you wrung out and released.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
TenseCold
Heaviest: late
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Cold and cerebral · 6% of shows: Detached and precise; keeps the viewer at arm's length.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.SerializedSingle-season story
ToneThe series plays its material completely straight, treating Cold War espionage with the gravity of a Le Carré novel.
The rideSustained paranoia throughout with the emotional weight building toward a climax as the operation's stakes escalate.
StructureThe story unfolds in a conventional beginning-middle-end structure across six episodes, with a slow build to a climax.
Episode formatA single continuous story across all six episodes, each chapter advancing the MI5 operation.
Season formatThe series is a concluded limited run with one self-contained story arc.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Cathartic · 3% of showsBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe conclusion resolves the complex conspiracy and delivers emotional closure tinged with loss.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestMission
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% (this title) · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Mission: Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).

6% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe series follows MI5's mission to uncover and stop a Soviet operation, with the mole hunt providing a secondary mystery.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfDeception
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11% (this title): Justice 14% · Duty 2% (this title) · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6% (this title)
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Morality

Deception · 6% of showsSurvival · 12% of showsDuty · 2% of shows
Warns its theme: Presents its theme as a danger or a coming cost.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe series explores the pervasive deception required in espionage, where loyalty, survival, and duty are constantly tested.
StanceThe series presents the Cold War espionage game as a dangerous moral quagmire, warning of the costs of deception and duty.

The world

Late 20th centuryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernAmbientSupportive music · original score · Daniel Pemberton
SettingMI5 headquarters and Cold War London
MusicA tense, electronic-tinged orchestral score that underpins the cold war paranoia.

Content guide

Is The Game okay for kids?

TV-14

The Game is rated TV-14. As of August 29, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (67/100), sexual content at moderate (53/100) and drug and alcohol content at moderate (56/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 6 other countries
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • South Korea15
  • MexicoB-15
  • Spain13
  • Türkiye13+
Overall
Moderate · 3 of 5 categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Intense
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (9 votes across 3 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does The Game have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Game?

Cast

1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Tom Hughes
as Joe Lambe
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jonathan Aris
as Alan Montag
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Victoria Hamilton
as Sarah Montag
Shaun Dooley
as DC Jim Fenchurch
Brian Cox
as Daddy
Established: A standing when this show came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Paul Ritter
as Bobby Waterhouse
Chloe Pirrie
as Wendy Straw
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Zana Marjanović
as Yulia
Yevgeni Sitokhin
as Odin
Judy Parfitt
as Hester Waterhouse

Crew

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What are shows like The Game?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like The Game include Foyle's War (2002), The State Within (2006) and Reilly: Ace of Spies (1983).

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What other shows share a tag with The Game?

191 other shows share the rarest tag below, follows: spy. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.