Robert Redford’s recent passing has deeply impacted the Hollywood community, prompting colleagues to share heartfelt tributes and fans to revisit his iconic work, particularly “Spy Game,” which has seen a resurgence in popularity on video-on-demand (VOD) platforms globally. Released in 2001, “Spy Game” is an intense espionage thriller that united Redford with fellow star Brad Pitt. The film follows a veteran CIA agent who reflects on his past training of an operative he is now tasked with freeing from Chinese captors.

“Spy Game” has unexpectedly become a VOD hit this week, climbing into the top 10 charts in over ten countries, including France, Italy, and Poland. Despite this international success, the film is currently unavailable for streaming in the United States, though its surging popularity overseas suggests it may soon return to a major American streaming service. Critically, “Spy Game” received generally positive reviews, holding a 64% rating from critics and a 75% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, its box office performance was modest, grossing $143 million against a substantial $115 million budget, making it one of the most expensive films in Redford’s career, excluding his roles in Marvel productions like “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”

The script for “Spy Game” was penned by Michael Frost Beckner and David Arata, with Tony Scott at the helm as director. Tony Scott, the brother of renowned filmmaker Ridley Scott, tragically passed away in 2012. His final directorial effort was “Unstoppable” in 2010, starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine. Throughout the 2000s, Scott frequently collaborated with Washington on films such as “Man on Fire” and “Déjà Vu.” His most celebrated work, however, remains the 1986 classic “Top Gun.”

Regarding Robert Redford’s passing, his publicist confirmed in an official statement that the legendary actor died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 89. While the natural curiosity about the cause of death often arises, Redford lived an exceptionally full and successful life. Beyond his captivating on-screen performances, where he embodied dozens of iconic characters, Redford also made a profound impact off-screen as a dedicated activist and the visionary behind the renowned Sundance Film Festival. “Spy Game” is rated R and falls into the Action, Crime, and Thriller genres, with a runtime of 126 minutes, released on November 18, 2001. Its cast included Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Catherine McCormack, and Stephen Dillane.