It’s a solid 100 minutes of fun

If you’re after a action thriller to sink your teeth into, Netflix has recently added the perfect film to its ever-growing library. A spy blockbuster starring Angelina Jolie is now available to stream on the platform and is guaranteed to keep you glued to your seat.

In Salt, the titular Evelyn Salt (Jolie) is a CIA operative who finds herself accused of being a Russian sleeper agent, sending her on a desperate mission to prove her innocence.

The action-packed film holds a ‘fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with both audiences and critics agreeing it delivers exactly what you’d hope for — a thoroughly entertaining ride.

The movie’s synopsis reads: “As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt swore an oath to duty, honor, and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a Russian defector accuses her of being a Russian sleeper spy.

“She goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture, protect her husband, and stay one step ahead of her colleagues at the CIA.

“Her efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: ‘Who is Salt?””

Also starring in the movie are Liev Schreiber as Ted Winter, Salt’s CIA colleague and friend, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Darryl Peabody, a counterintelligence officer. Filmmaker Phillip Noyce, best known for his action movies, directed the 2010 film.

Most reviews — whether positive or negative — took aim at the storyline.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics consensus sums it up neatly: “Angelina Jolie gives it her all in the title role, and her seasoned performance is almost enough to save Salt from its predictable and ludicrous plot.”

Despite any reservations, both audiences and critics are largely united in one regard — it’s an absolute blast to watch. Plus, its production was good enough to nab an Oscar nomination for Best Sound Mixing at the 83rd Academy Awards.

The Guardian enthused about the spy thriller: “It’s pacy, smart, subversive and knocked out with such verve and attack that you’re not in the least bit bothered by how far-fetched it all is.”

One enthusiastic IMDb reviewer wrote: “Salt delivers exactly what is promised – a solid 100 minutes of action. It keeps you watching, it keeps you guessing (even when it turns out you were right in some cases), and it entertains from start to finish. If you like the action movie genre, chances are you will enjoy this movie.”

Interestingly, Salt originally had a male lead. Tom Cruise was in talks to take the role before ultimately passing on the project.

As Jolie tells the story: “I was meeting with (Sony Pictures Co-Chairman) Amy Pascal a few years ago when it came up in conversation that she was getting ready to make one of the new James Bond films. I playfully said, ‘I want to be Bond!’ That was our little joke, and then she found this project.”

Salt is currently streaming on Netflix UK.