The Hook: A24's Next Big Gamble?
Hollywood doesn't make mid-budget thrillers anymore—at least, not like it used to. In an industry obsessed with billion-dollar franchises and nostalgia-bait reboots, A24's Enemies is an anomaly. A $25 million, star-powered spy flick? With an indie director who hasn't worked in years? It's the kind of risk that could either shake up the genre—or disappear into the cinematic abyss.
But here's why Enemies might be the unexpected revolution of modern spy thrillers.
The Setup: What We Know So Far
A24's Enemies brings together two of Hollywood's most talked-about stars—Austin Butler (Elvis) and Jeremy Allen White (The Bear)—for a psychological game of cat and mouse. The plot is tantalizingly simple:
A loner contract killer (Butler) takes on a new assignment, attracting the attention of a detective (White). As the two cross paths, they realize they might have more in common than they'd like to admit.
This isn't just another “spy vs. spy” action flick. The description hints at something deeper—a psychological duel rather than an explosion-fueled spectacle.
And then there's the director: Henry Dunham. If that name doesn't ring a bell, you're not alone. Dunham's debut film, The Standoff at Sparrow Creek, was a slow-burn thriller that thrived on paranoia and tension. Now, after seven years away from the director's chair, he's back with Enemies.
A Hollywood comeback. A fresh take on the genre. A24's unique touch. This has all the ingredients of something special.
The A24 Factor: What Makes This Different?
If you see A24's logo before a film, you expect something unconventional. They don't do cookie-cutter blockbusters. They make films that linger in your brain long after the credits roll. Uncut Gems, The Green Knight, Everything Everywhere All At Once—these weren't just movies. They were experiences.
So what does that mean for Enemies?
For one, don't expect your typical James Bond or Jason Bourne fare. A24's approach will likely strip away the glossy, high-tech spy fantasy and replace it with something raw and unsettling. If Sparrow Creek is anything to go by, Dunham will focus on slow-building tension, moral ambiguity, and razor-sharp dialogue over mindless shootouts.
It also means Enemies could reinvent the “spy thriller” label. Instead of globe-trotting espionage, we might get something more claustrophobic, psychological, and emotionally charged.
Austin Butler & Jeremy Allen White: The Perfect Match?
On paper, Butler and White might seem like an odd pairing. Butler, fresh off his transformative turn in Elvis, has been pivoting toward dramatic, weighty roles (Dune: Part Two). White, meanwhile, has become Hollywood's favorite blue-collar everyman, thanks to The Bear.
But that contrast could be exactly what makes Enemies compelling. Butler as a cold, calculating hitman? White as a scrappy, determined detective? That's the kind of character dynamic that can turn a good thriller into a great one.
And let's not forget: Both actors have serious range. Butler already proved he can disappear into a role. White has that unpredictable, kinetic energy that keeps you glued to the screen. Together, they could create something truly electric.
What Could Go Wrong?
For all its promise, Enemies faces some serious hurdles:
- Dunham's Long Absence – Can a director who hasn't worked in seven years handle the pressure of an A24 production?
- The Budget vs. Expectation Problem – $25 million is a solid budget for an indie, but peanuts for an action-heavy spy film. Will audiences expecting a John Wick-style spectacle be disappointed?
- The A24 Formula – As much as people love A24's unique style, it's not foolproof. Some of their more ambitious projects (Men, The Green Knight) have left audiences divided.
If Enemies leans too hard into slow-burn psychological tension, it risks alienating mainstream thriller fans. But if it tries to be too conventional, it could lose what makes A24 films special.
Final Take: Why This Could Be a Sleeper Hit
Hollywood needs more mid-budget thrillers. It needs films that take risks without relying on nostalgia or CGI spectacle. Enemies has the potential to be one of those films—a gripping, intelligent, character-driven thriller in an era dominated by superhero excess.
But will audiences show up? That's the real question.
If Enemies strikes the right balance—blending slow-burn tension with enough action to keep viewers on edge—it could be the surprise hit of the year. If not? Well, at least A24 keeps swinging for the fences.
Would you watch Enemies? Or is the spy thriller genre too played out? Let's hear your take in the comments.
Can’t wait to see it. I good spy drama is always great – just as long as the focus on tons of explosions & fighting. It’s at its best when the subject has weight.