The Recruit
2003 · 115 min · Director: Roger Donaldson
Show plot summary (may contain spoilers)
In an era when the country's first line of defense, intelligence, is more important than ever, this story opens the CIA's infamous closed doors and gives an insider's view into the Agency: how trainees are recruited, how they are prepared for the spy game, and what they learn to survive. James Clayton might not have the attitude of a typical recruit, but he is one of the smartest graduating seniors in the country - and he's just the person that Walter Burke wants in the Agency. James regards the CIA's mission as an intriguing alternative to an ordinary life, but before he becomes an Ops Officer, James has to survive the Agency's secret training ground, where green recruits are molded into seasoned veterans. As Burke teaches him the ropes and the rules of the game, James quickly rises through the ranks and falls for Layla, one of his fellow recruits. But just when James starts to question his role and his cat-and-mouse relationship with his mentor, Burke taps him for a special assignment to root out a mole. As the suspense builds toward a gripping climax, it soon becomes clear that the CIA's old maxims are true: "trust no one" and "nothing is what it seems."
Emotional fingerprint
The Recruit (2003) — Movie. Top emotional signals: Tension 30%, Anxiety 25%, Confusion 20%. Source: AI estimate. Shares describe emotional signal, not percentages of people. Your experience may differ. How we measure
- Tension30%
- Anxiety25%
- Confusion20%
- Excitement15%
- Surprise10%
AI estimate · no viewer votes yet
How we measure
AI estimate
Share of emotional signal, not the percentage of people or a probability of enjoyment.
Each viewer contributes one response, split equally across their selected emotions. When available, an automated estimate supplies a prior that is blended with those responses. Counts include distinct viewers, not automated estimates or archived anonymous votes. Fewer than 3 viewers is an early estimate; more responses do not guarantee certainty.
Why it feels this way
The strongest emotional signals are Tension, Anxiety, Confusion. Genres: Thriller, Action. AI estimate.
Is it worth watching?
Consider this title if you are looking for Tension, Anxiety and Confusion. Its IMDb rating of 6.6/10 suggests a generally positive audience reception. For these leading emotions, its Feel Score is 69/100.
How did it make you feel?
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Pick up to three · 0/3
Emotional journey
- Tension
- Curiosity
- Relief
Not enough subtitle evidence
No dominant emotion
Dominant emotion: Curiosity
Dominant emotion: Tension
Dominant emotion: Relief
Dominant emotion
| % | Approximate minute | Dominant emotion | Overall intensity | Tension | Curiosity | Relief |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 % | ≈ 3′ | Curiosity | 45 % | 28 % | 45 % | 5 % |
| 7.5 % | ≈ 9′ | Curiosity | 49 % | 30 % | 51 % | 3 % |
| 12.5 % | ≈ 14′ | Curiosity | 49 % | 32 % | 49 % | 3 % |
| 17.5 % | ≈ 20′ | Curiosity | 49 % | 37 % | 45 % | 4 % |
| 22.5 % | ≈ 26′ | Curiosity | 49 % | 39 % | 45 % | 6 % |
| 27.5 % | ≈ 32′ | Curiosity | 50 % | 40 % | 44 % | 7 % |
| 32.5 % | ≈ 37′ | Tension | 61 % | 55 % | 46 % | 6 % |
| 37.5 % | ≈ 43′ | Tension | 73 % | 70 % | 50 % | 7 % |
| 42.5 % | ≈ 49′ | Tension | 72 % | 65 % | 57 % | 11 % |
| 47.5 % | ≈ 55′ | Curiosity | 64 % | 55 % | 62 % | 9 % |
| 52.5 % | ≈ 60′ | Curiosity | 55 % | 48 % | 55 % | 4 % |
| 57.5 % | ≈ 66′ | Curiosity | 48 % | 41 % | 44 % | 3 % |
| 62.5 % | ≈ 72′ | Curiosity | 49 % | 40 % | 41 % | 4 % |
| 67.5 % | ≈ 78′ | Curiosity | 57 % | 50 % | 42 % | 3 % |
| 72.5 % | ≈ 83′ | Tension | 68 % | 65 % | 42 % | 2 % |
| 77.5 % | ≈ 89′ | Tension | 77 % | 74 % | 48 % | 4 % |
| 82.5 % | ≈ 95′ | Tension | 82 % | 79 % | 63 % | 6 % |
| 87.5 % | ≈ 101′ | Tension | 85 % | 82 % | 64 % | 12 % |
| 92.5 % | ≈ 106′ | Tension | 79 % | 66 % | 43 % | 32 % |
| 97.5 % | ≈ 112′ | Relief | 68 % | 34 % | 27 % | 50 % |
Riches to rags
Rags to riches: The emotional tone rises from negative to positive.
Riches to rags: The emotional tone falls from positive to negative.
Man in a hole: The tone falls, then recovers.
Icarus: The tone rises, then falls.
Cinderella: The tone rises, falls, then rises again.
Oedipus: The tone falls, rises, then falls again.
AI reading of the film’s English subtitles (dialogue and sound cues) — not viewer votes. How we measure ↗
Kadri — your film companion
AIAsk anything about The Recruit. From the film’s own dialogue and FeelDB data, at your spoiler level.
Afterward Reveal viewer responses · may contain spoilers
Viewer responses about feelings after the title ended, separate from feelings while watching. No AI estimates.
0 responses so far
Feeling details appear after at least 3 viewers respond, to protect privacy.
Cast
Instructor #1
Co-Ed #1
Cab Driver
Polygraph Interrogator
Instructor #2
Guard
Elliot
Details
- Directed by
- Roger Donaldson
- Written by
- Mitch Glazer, Kurt Wimmer, Roger Towne
- Type
- Movies
- Released
- 2003
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Country
- United States, Switzerland
- Ratings
- Feels mostly
- Tension
- Data updated
Where to watch
Rent
Feels similar
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