Berlin Wall, 1989 – Setting the Stage
The film “Atomic Blonde,” directed by David Leitch, takes place against the backdrop of the falling Berlin Wall. However, it is important to note that the movie is not centered around this historical event. From the very beginning, the audience is introduced to James Gascoigne, an MI6 agent, who is being chased by an unknown assailant. Eventually, Gascoigne is found by a Soviet man named Yuri Bakhtin, who kills him and retrieves an important item known as “The List.” Gascoigne’s photograph is later discovered in Lorraine Broughton’s drawer, a bruised MI6 agent.
The Debriefing & the Beginning
Lorraine attends a debriefing regarding her recent mission in Berlin. She is accompanied by her superior, Eric Gray, and a CIA operative named Emmett Kurzfeld. The head of MI6, referred to as “C,” observes the debriefing from behind a glass pane. It is evident that Lorraine is in trouble for her actions. Given that every word is being recorded, she must be cautious and provide truthful details. Gray asks, “What happened?” and thus begins the story.
C and Eric inform Lorraine that she is needed in Berlin to retrieve “The List.” This document, held by the rogue Soviet national Spyglass, contains crucial information about active clandestine officers. It has the potential to prolong the Cold War. Lorraine’s mission is to make contact with the British station head in Berlin, David Percival, and retrieve the list.
Lorraine Lands in West Berlin, Percival the Feral, & the Mission
Percival, described as a party animal with no inhibitions, is tasked with assisting Lorraine. However, it is made clear that trust should not be placed in anyone, including Percival. Spyglass requests safe passage in exchange for the list but is unable to produce it. Percival refuses to comply without the list and denies Spyglass and his family a chance to escape.
Under the alias Elizabeth Lloyd, Lorraine poses as a lawyer retrieving Gascoigne’s body on behalf of his parents. However, her true mission is to make contact with Percival and retrieve the list. Lorraine realizes she is being followed by Delphine, a woman whose intentions remain unclear. Lorraine encounters a watchmaker who provides her with a timepiece and instructs her to return before closing time, granting her access to a network in East Berlin.
A Game of Chess with Russians on the Sidelines
Lorraine meets with Percival, wearing a wire to record any potential evidence. She shares her suspicions about his true intentions, expressing doubts about his loyalty. Lorraine encounters Bremovych, a figure with ambiguous motives, at a bar. Delphine joins them and shows romantic interest in Lorraine. Later, Lorraine visits the watchmaker again, only to notice Percival’s surveillance.
Using the coordinates found behind the watch, Lorraine meets her contact in East Berlin to gather information about her adversaries. She is met with fierce opposition from Bremovych’s men but successfully escapes. Lorraine’s contact, Merkel, reveals that there is talk about the list on the black market. Merkel is revealed to be the same man Lorraine encountered with Percival earlier.
Percival meets the watchmaker and discovers Bakhtin selling Gascoigne’s watch, which contains hidden secrets. Lorraine listens to her recordings