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Characters & Themes

The November Man (2014) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2014 · 108 min · English
JustWatch #8,885 17
Directed by
Roger Donaldson
Starring
Olga Kurylenko, Luke Bracey, Pierce Brosnan, Bill Smitrovich, Amila Terzimehic

A retired CIA operative, known as The November Man, is reactivated for a dangerous, off-the-books assignment. Peter Devereaux must protect Alice Fournier, a key witness connected to a past conspiracy, while confronting enemies from his former life. He finds himself in a web of deception and betrayal, unsure who he can trust as he races to complete his final mission.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The November Man
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The November Man (2014)

Where can you watch The November Man? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV and Paramount Plus Essential: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

The November Man Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The November Man (2014), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Peter Devereaux

    played by Pierce Brosnan

    A veteran CIA officer, Peter Devereaux is haunted by his past failures, particularly the tragic outcome of a mission that resulted in a child's death. Throughout the movie, he navigates a complex web of betrayal while fighting to protect those he loves. His character embodies a mixture of toughness and vulnerability as he confronts moral dilemmas.

    • 🕵️‍♂️ Agent
    • 🥷 Survivor
    • 💔 Father
  • David Mason

    played by Luke Bracey

    As Devereaux's protégé, David Mason is driven but reckless, ultimately leading to severe consequences during a critical operation. His actions create a rift between him and Devereaux, showcasing the struggle for reconciliation while also highlighting his internal conflicts. His character explores themes of loyalty and the impact of poor choices.

    • 🧑‍✈️ Protégé
    • ⚡ Impulsive
    • 😓 Conflicted
  • Alice Fournier

    played by Olga Kurylenko

    Alice Fournier is a tenacious New York Times reporter who delves into war crimes, driven by a personal connection to the stories she investigates. Her determination to uncover the truth showcases her bravery as she becomes deeply intertwined with Devereaux's quest for justice. As the plot unfolds, her character evolves, facing moral quandaries that challenge her integrity.

    • 📰 Journalist
    • 🔍 Investigator
    • 💪 Resilient
  • Arkady Fedorov

    A former Russian Army General with a dark past, Arkady Fedorov embodies the threat that drives the movie's conflict. His character is intricately connected to war crimes, demonstrating the moral decay often found in power. Fedorov's manipulations create intense scenarios where survival and justice collide.

    • 👮‍♂️ General
    • 💼 Corrupt
    • 🚨 Antagonist

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:52

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Setting

Where and When Does The November Man Take Place?

The setting of The November Man (2014): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

2008

Set in 2008, the movie reflects a tumultuous period marked by complex geopolitical tensions and the ongoing fallout from international conflicts. The dynamics of the Cold War era still resonate, influencing the operations of intelligence agencies and shaping the characters' decisions fraught with moral ambiguity and loyalty.

Location

Montenegro, Switzerland, Russia

The film traverses multiple key locations, starting in Montenegro, known for its stunning landscapes and a backdrop of political intrigue. Switzerland serves as a serene retreat for Devereaux, where he opens a quaint coffee shop, seeking solace from his past. The action escalates in Russia, a land shrouded in espionage, where the narrative unfolds amidst looming dangers and covert operations.

  • 🌍 Locations
  • 🏔️ Nature
  • 🕵️‍♂️ Espionage

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:52

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3 major themes

The November Man Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The November Man (2014) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Betrayal

    At its core, the film explores themes of betrayal, as trust is fractured among partners and within the CIA itself. Peter Devereaux grapples with personal betrayal when his protégé David Mason inadvertently contributes to Natalia's tragic fate. The complexity of loyalty emerges as characters navigate their hidden agendas and competing allegiances.

  • Redemption

    Redemption is a significant theme within the narrative, as Devereaux seeks to rectify his painful past and protect those who matter most to him. His journey towards redemption is fraught with obstacles, as he simultaneously battles his inner demons and external enemies.

  • Truth

    The pursuit of truth fuels Alice Fournier's investigative efforts and serves as a catalyst for the film's tension. As various characters seek to uncover war crimes and political conspiracies, the struggle to reveal the truth drives the narrative forward, culminating in revelations that challenge longstanding power structures.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:52

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Character & theme questions

The November Man Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The November Man (2014): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is The November Man set?

The movie takes place across three key locations: Montenegro, where the story begins with political intrigue; Switzerland, where Peter Devereaux runs a coffee shop in retirement; and Russia, where the main action unfolds amid espionage and danger.

  • montenegro
  • switzerland
  • russia
  • setting
  • locations
Q2

What time period does The November Man take place in?

The film is set in 2008, a period still influenced by Cold War tensions and the fallout from international conflicts. This era shapes the moral ambiguity and espionage operations that drive the narrative.

  • 2008
  • time period
  • cold war
  • era
Q3

What are the main themes in The November Man?

The film explores three central themes: betrayal, as trust fractures within the CIA and between partners; redemption, as Devereaux seeks to rectify past failures and protect those he cares about; and truth, as characters pursue war crimes investigations that challenge powerful institutions.

  • betrayal
  • redemption
  • truth
  • themes
  • meaning
Q4

Who is Peter Devereaux in The November Man?

Peter Devereaux is a veteran CIA operative known as 'The November Man' who has retired to Switzerland to run a coffee shop. Haunted by past missions that resulted in a child's death, he is pulled back into the field to protect a key witness, confronting both external enemies and his own demons.

  • peter devereaux
  • cia
  • november man
  • retired agent
Q5

Who is David Mason in The November Man?

David Mason is Peter Devereaux's former protégé, a CIA agent who is driven but reckless. His poor decisions during a critical operation create a rift with Devereaux and contribute to tragic consequences, exploring themes of loyalty and the cost of ambition.

  • david mason
  • protégé
  • cia
  • loyalty
Q6

Who is Alice Fournier in The November Man?

Alice Fournier is a tenacious New York Times reporter investigating war crimes who becomes the target of dangerous forces. Her determination to uncover the truth about political conspiracies makes her a crucial figure in Devereaux's mission.

  • alice fournier
  • reporter
  • ny times
  • war crimes
  • journalist
Q7

Who is Arkady Fedorov in The November Man?

Arkady Fedorov is a former Russian Army General with a dark past connected to war crimes. He serves as the primary antagonist whose manipulations create the film's central conflict, representing the moral decay found in positions of power.

  • arkady fedorov
  • russian general
  • villain
  • war crimes
Q8

What role does Montenegro play in The November Man?

Montenegro serves as the opening setting, featuring stunning landscapes that provide a backdrop for political intrigue. The location establishes the film's European espionage atmosphere and sets the stage for the dangerous mission that reunites Devereaux with his former life.

  • montenegro
  • opening
  • europe
  • political intrigue
Q9

Why is Russia important to The November Man's story?

Russia serves as the primary location for the film's action and represents the world of espionage and covert operations. The setting embodies the Cold War-era tensions that influence the characters' decisions and the moral ambiguity that defines their missions.

  • russia
  • espionage
  • cold war
  • covert operations
Q10

How does The November Man portray the CIA?

The film presents the CIA as a morally ambiguous institution where trust is fractured and allegiances are unclear. Characters navigate hidden agendas and competing loyalties, reflecting the film's tense and paranoid tone about not knowing who can be trusted.

  • cia
  • moral ambiguity
  • trust
  • espionage
  • betrayal
Q11

What haunts Peter Devereaux in The November Man?

Devereaux is haunted by a past mission failure that resulted in a child's death. This trauma drives his desire for redemption and shapes his complex character, mixing toughness with vulnerability as he confronts moral dilemmas throughout the film.

  • past trauma
  • redemption
  • guilt
  • child death
Q12

How does betrayal drive The November Man's plot?

Betrayal is central to the narrative, manifesting as trust fractures among CIA partners and within the organization itself. Devereaux experiences personal betrayal through his protégé David Mason's actions, which contribute to tragic outcomes and drive the story's emotional weight.

  • betrayal
  • trust
  • cia
  • protégé
  • david mason
Q13

What is the truth investigation in The November Man about?

The pursuit of truth centers on Alice Fournier's investigation into war crimes and political conspiracies. Her efforts to expose hidden truths about powerful institutions drive the narrative tension and challenge longstanding power structures.

  • truth
  • investigation
  • war crimes
  • conspiracy
  • journalism

Movie threads

More Movies Like The November Man, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The November Man tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Paranoid Spy Thrillers like The November Man

Espionage stories where trust is the greatest threat and betrayal is constant. If you liked the tense, deceptive world of The November Man, explore more movies like it. This collection features gritty spy stories with high-stakes action, constant betrayal, and morally complex operatives struggling to discern friend from foe in a shadowy world of conspiracy.

  • tense
  • paranoid
  • gritty
  • suspenseful
  • cynical
  • urgent
  • Tone: tense, cynical
  • Pacing: fast, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread typically follow a professional operative—often pulled back into the game—who must complete a dangerous mission while their support system crumbles. The plot is driven by a series of shocking betrayals, forcing the protagonist to rely on their instincts in a world where institutional trust is broken.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a tense, cynical tone and a fast-paced, high-intensity structure built on suspense and the threat of betrayal. The mood is consistently gritty, paranoid, and urgent, creating a coherent experience for viewers who enjoy high-stakes espionage where no one can be trusted.

Action Thrillers with Bittersweet Endings like The November Man

Stories where skilled professionals achieve a costly victory that leaves them scarred. For viewers who appreciated the heavy emotional weight and bittersweet conclusion of The November Man, this list curates similar movies. These stories feature protagonists who succeed in their goals but are left emotionally scarred, blending high-intensity action with a melancholic, thoughtful payoff.

  • melancholic
  • gritty
  • suspenseful
  • urgent
  • somber
  • thoughtful
  • Tone: melancholic, tense
  • Pacing: fast, driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist confronting a painful past or personal trauma through the course of a violent mission. While the immediate threat is neutralized and justice is served, the journey exacts a heavy price, often through the loss of allies or a reaffirmation of their isolation, resulting in a victory that feels hollow or tempered with sadness.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their blend of high-intensity action with a heavy emotional core, leading to conclusions that are more contemplative than celebratory. They share a mix of fast pacing, serious themes, and a final feeling that is fundamentally bittersweet, appealing to viewers who want stakes that matter beyond the immediate action.

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Movies Like The November Man

Similar movies to The November Man: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

The November Man (2014) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The November Man in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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