Okay, let's talk about the *Above Suspicion* movie. Honestly, I stumbled upon this one late one night scrolling through streaming options. The title grabbed me – "Above Suspicion"? What does that even mean? Is it about someone untouchable? Turns out, it's way darker and more messed up than I expected. This isn't your glossy Hollywood thriller; it’s a grimy, uncomfortable dive into a real-life scandal that rocked a small town. If you're searching for info on "Above Suspicion movie", chances are you've heard whispers about the true crime angle, or maybe you're wondering if Emilia Clarke can pull off a Southern accent (she kinda does, surprisingly!). Whatever brought you here, this guide aims to be the *only* resource you'll need. We'll crack open the case file, look at where it was shot, how it stacks up against the book, and frankly, whether it's worth your time. Spoiler: It's more fascinating trainwreck than masterpiece, but boy does the story stick with you.
The Real Story Behind Above Suspicion: Susan Smith & Mark Putnam
Forget fictional serial killers for a second. The *Above Suspicion movie* is terrifying because it actually happened. It's based on Joe Sharkey's book, meticulously detailing the unbelievable case of Susan Smith and FBI agent Mark Putnam. Picture this: Pikeville, Kentucky. Early 1980s. A small, struggling coal town. Enter Mark Putnam (played by Jack Huston), a fresh-faced, ambitious FBI agent hungry to make his mark. Then there's Susan Smith (Emilia Clarke), a local woman trapped in a cycle of addiction and bad relationships, desperate for any way out. Putnam recruits her as an informant. Standard procedure, right? Wrong. It becomes a cliché – the handler and the informant entangled in a volatile affair. Power imbalance? Check. Mutual manipulation? Double check. It’s a recipe for disaster from day one.
Things spiral quickly. Susan, feeling used and discarded as Putnam tries to end things, makes the fatal mistake of threatening his career and family. In a moment of rage during a confrontation in June 1989, Putnam strangled Susan, killed her, and dumped her body. The kicker? Putnam initially got away with it. He was *literally* above suspicion. An FBI agent. A family man. Who would believe he could do this? It took over a year, the discovery of Susan's body (based on Putnam's eventual confession!), and a mountain of circumstantial evidence for the truth to surface. Putnam confessed and became the first FBI agent convicted of murder. He served just 10 years. Think about that.
Where Was Above Suspicion Filmed? Getting the Kentucky Grit Right
Getting the atmosphere right was crucial for this Above Suspicion movie. They needed that oppressive, economically depressed, Appalachian feel. While the real events happened in Pikeville, filming actually took place mostly in and around the Cincinnati area (Ohio) and parts of Northern Kentucky. Why? Probably logistics and tax incentives, honestly. But they nailed the look. I visited some of these spots out of curiosity last year – places like Newport, KY, and small towns along the Ohio River. You can feel the history and hardship. They used real locations – gritty bars, worn-down houses, those winding mountain roads that feel both beautiful and isolating. It adds a layer of authenticity you can't fake. The setting isn't just backdrop; it's a character driving the desperation.
Above Suspicion Movie Cast: Bringing the Tragedy to Life
Casting was... interesting. Let's break down who played who:
| Actor | Character | Real-Life Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emilia Clarke | Susan Smith | Susan Smith | Big departure from Daenerys! Clarke embraces Susan's volatility and vulnerability. Her accent effort is commendable, though occasionally inconsistent. She captures the desperation well. |
| Jack Huston | Mark Putnam | Mark Putnam | Plays Putnam with a simmering intensity beneath the clean-cut facade. You see the ambition slowly get corrupted. Does well showing the conflict, maybe less so the pure menace. |
| Sophie Lowe | Jolene | Composite/Fictional? | Represents Susan's troubled world and connections. Serves as a contrast and anchor to Susan's chaos. |
| Johnny Knoxville | Cash | Based loosely on Susan's husband? | Knoxville is surprisingly effective as the volatile, unreliable husband. Brings a raw physicality and menace. Casting against type works. |
| Thora Birch | Kathy Putnam | Kathy Putnam | Portrays the increasingly suspicious wife with quiet strength. You feel her world unraveling. A solid, grounded performance. |
| Omar Benson Miller | Agent Robinson | Composite/Fictional | Represents the FBI perspective and growing unease within the office regarding Putnam and Susan. |
Clarke’s performance is divisive. Some find it over-the-top. I get it – Susan *was* chaotic. Was it too much? Maybe sometimes. But she makes you feel the tragic absurdity of Susan's life and choices. Huston nails the arrogant blindness of Putnam – you believe he thought he was untouchable. Knoxville? Genuinely unsettling, which fits.
Above Suspicion Movie vs. The Book: How Faithful Is It?
Joe Sharkey’s book "Above Suspicion" is the definitive account, meticulously researched. So, how does the Above Suspicion movie measure up? It hits the major beats: the affair, the informant relationship spiraling out of control, the murder, the cover-up, the eventual confession. The core facts are there. But movies always compress and dramatize.
- Timeline Squeeze: Real events unfolded over years. The movie condenses this significantly, heightening the sense of rapid, inevitable collapse.
- Character Simplification: Real people are complex. The movie streamlines motives and backgrounds (e.g., Susan's children are largely absent, Putnam's FBI work is simplified). Characters like Jolene feel like composites.
- Tone & Atmosphere: The book is journalistic, detailed. The movie amps up the Southern Gothic grit and the sense of impending doom. It’s more visceral.
- The Murder Scene: The book details the confrontation based on Putnam's confession. The movie depicts it pretty closely – brutal, sudden, messy.
Does it capture the essence? Yes, especially the toxic dynamic and the shocking abuse of power. Does it replace the book? No way. The book gives you the chilling procedural details and broader context the movie skips.
Here’s a weird thing I noticed: The movie makes Pikeville feel incredibly isolated and decaying (which it partly was). Reading the book, you get more sense of the town's social fabric and how the FBI office operated within it. The movie focuses intensely on the central duo, which works for drama but loses some societal context.
Above Suspicion Movie Review: The Good, The Bad, and The Uncomfortable
Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. Should you watch Above Suspicion movie? Here's my take, warts and all:
What Works
- The Core Story: It’s inherently gripping. A true story about an FBI agent murdering his informant? That’s bonkers. The power imbalance and inevitable downfall are morbidly fascinating.
- Emilia Clarke's Commitment: She throws herself into Susan – the accent, the desperation, the volatility. It’s not subtle, but Susan wasn’t a subtle person. It’s a brave performance.
- Atmosphere: They absolutely nail the grimy, desperate feel of the setting. You can almost smell the stale beer and coal dust. It feels authentic and oppressive.
- Johnny Knoxville: Seriously, he’s good. He brings genuine menace and unpredictability as Cash.
- The Unflinching Look: It doesn’t shy away from the ugliness – the addiction, the poverty, the toxic relationships, the brutal murder. It’s not glamorized.
What Doesn't Work As Well
- Pacing Issues: Man, the pacing is uneven. The first act feels rushed setting everything up, then it slows, then hurtles towards the end. It doesn't always flow smoothly. I found myself checking the time midway.
- Character Depth (Beyond Susan & Mark): Supporting characters feel thin. Kathy Putnam (Thora Birch) is sympathetic but underdeveloped. The FBI colleagues are mostly background.
- Direction & Script: Directed by Phillip Noyce (known for thrillers like "Clear and Present Danger"), it sometimes leans into genre clichés. Some dialogue feels clunky ("I know things!"), pulling you out of the realism.
- Underutilized Aftermath: The conviction and Putnam's short sentence feel rushed. The impact on the town and families deserved more weight.
Overall? It’s a solid for me. Compulsively watchable because of the true story and Clarke's performance, but held back by pacing and some uneven execution. It’s less a great film and more a fascinating, disturbing dramatization of an unbelievable true event. Worth watching? Yes, especially for true crime fans. A masterpiece? Nah. But it *will* make you Google the real story afterwards.
Above Suspicion Movie Release Date, Availability, and Where to Watch
This movie had a bit of a bumpy road. Filming wrapped way back in 2014! Why the delay? Who knows – studio shuffles, distribution issues? It finally saw the light of day:
- Theatrical Release: May 2019 (Limited release in the US). Don't blink, you probably missed it in cinemas.
- Digital/Streaming: Became widely available later in 2019.
Looking to watch the Above Suspicion movie now (mid-2024)? Here's your best bet:
- Digital Rental/Purchase: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube Movies, Vudu. Usually around $3.99 to rent, $9.99-$14.99 to buy.
- Subscription Streaming: Availability changes constantly. Check platforms like Hulu, Peacock, Tubi (which often has free ad-supported movies), or your cable provider's on-demand service.
- Physical Media: DVD and Blu-ray are available, often bundled or in discount bins.
Tip: Use a service like JustWatch or Reelgood to track where it's streaming near you right now.
Beyond the Movie: The Real Case's Aftermath and Legacy
The *Above Suspicion movie* ends, but the real story echoes. Mark Putnam served roughly 10 years in federal prison (released in 2000). He avoided state murder charges due to his confession deal. Today, he reportedly lives a quiet, anonymous life under parole restrictions. Where's the justice?
Susan Smith’s murder exposed shocking flaws within the FBI's handling of informants. Rules were tightened regarding agent-informant relationships, emphasizing professionalism and oversight. The "Above Suspicion" case became a grim cautionary tale taught at Quantico. Susan's children grew up without their mother. The tragedy permanently scarred Pikeville.
Watching the film, I couldn't help but think how Putnam's light sentence feels like a final insult. Susan, flawed as she was, didn't deserve to be discarded like trash. The system protected its own, initially. That lingering injustice is perhaps the most chilling part of the whole "Above Suspicion" saga.
Your Above Suspicion Movie Questions Answered (FAQs)
Q: Is the Above Suspicion movie based on a true story?
A: Absolutely, yes. It's directly adapted from journalist Joe Sharkey's bestselling true crime book "Above Suspicion," which details the shocking 1989 murder of Susan Smith by her FBI handler, Agent Mark Putnam, in Pikeville, Kentucky.
Q: Who was Susan Smith in real life?
A: Susan Smith was a Pikeville, Kentucky native. Before becoming an FBI informant, she struggled with addiction and turbulent relationships. She was a mother. Her life was chaotic, but her murder by the agent she trusted remains a profound betrayal and tragedy.
Q: What happened to Mark Putnam?
A: Mark Putnam confessed to Susan Smith's murder in 1989 after leading authorities to her remains. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and obstruction of justice. Despite being the first FBI agent convicted of murder, he served only approximately 10 years in federal prison and was released in 2000. He remains on parole.
Q: Where can I watch Above Suspicion?
A: As of mid-2024, your best options are digital rental/purchase (Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, etc.) or checking subscription/ad-supported streams like Hulu, Peacock, or Tubi. Use JustWatch.com to find current availability.
Q: Is the Above Suspicion movie worth watching?
A: If you're interested in disturbing true crime stories or Emilia Clarke's performance beyond "Game of Thrones," it's worth a watch. Manage expectations: it's more compelling due to the real events than due to flawless filmmaking. It's gritty and unsettling, not slick entertainment. Be prepared for a slow burn.
Q: How accurate is the Above Suspicion movie?
A: It follows the major facts of the case closely: the affair, the informant relationship, the murder, the cover-up, and Putnam's confession. However, it compresses timelines, simplifies secondary characters, and heightens the Southern Gothic atmosphere for dramatic effect. Read Joe Sharkey's book for the most comprehensive, factual account.
Q: Did Emilia Clarke do her own accent in Above Suspicion?
A: Yes, Clarke worked on a Southern Appalachian accent for the role of Susan Smith. Opinions vary on its consistency and authenticity throughout the film, but most agree it's a noticeable departure from her natural British accent and shows significant effort, even if not perfect.
Q: Why is it called Above Suspicion?
A: The title reflects the central irony of the case. Mark Putnam, as an FBI agent, was initially considered "above suspicion" when Susan Smith disappeared. His position and badge shielded him from serious investigation until the evidence (and his own confession) became impossible to ignore. It highlights the dangerous privilege his status afforded him.
Final Thoughts on Above Suspicion
Look, the *Above Suspicion movie* isn't going to win Best Picture. It's flawed. The pacing drags, some scenes feel forced, and you might wince at a line of dialogue here and there. But here's the thing: the core story is so inherently powerful, so disturbing in its banality and abuse of power, that it stays with you. Emilia Clarke gives it her all, diving headfirst into the tragic mess that was Susan Smith. The setting feels painfully real. And knowing this *actually happened*, that an FBI agent thought he truly was "above suspicion" and almost got away with murder? Yeah, that’s chilling.
Watch it for the true crime angle. Watch it for Clarke's committed performance. Watch it to understand a dark footnote in FBI history. Just don't expect a polished thriller. Expect a gritty, uncomfortable, and ultimately tragic slice of real life that makes you question how thin the veneer of authority really is. And then, maybe pick up Joe Sharkey's book to dive even deeper down the rabbit hole. The real story behind the "Above Suspicion movie" is one you won't easily forget.