Directed by Gavin Hood (Ender's Game; X-Men Origins: Wolverine; Rendition) and starring Helen Mirren (The Queen; The Madness of King George), Aaron Paul (Exodus: Gods and Kings; Breaking Bad (tv series); Need for Speed), Alan Rickman (Harry Potter...; Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; Alice in Wondeland; Love Actually),

Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips).

Thriller; 102 mins; 12+

Set in various locations, with a target in Kenya, the storyline of Eye in the Sky is about war-time rules of engagment.

Colonel Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren) is in charge of a top secret operation in which technology - remote surveillance courtesy of an eye in the sky - plays a crucial role in not only identifying wanted terrorists, but also in determining suicide bombs and accompanying vests. From here operational base she is in contact with an agent on the ground, Jama Farah (Barkhad Abdi), the pilot of an armed drone, Steve Watts (Aaron Paul), and the command centre in London, the latter where she liaises with Lieutenant General Frank Benson (Alan Rickman). He, in turn, has the Attorney General, a Government Minister and various others in attendance, all with different motivations and concerns.

The knife-edge tension is exacerbated when a young girl comes into view, setting up a stall to sell bread. This is where the issue of civilian casualties and collateral damage becomes a game of political ping-pong, with nobody wanting to see the girl killed by the force of the explosion. However, they weigh this up against the potential carnage that the suicide bombers could cause if they are not stopped in their tracks right now. The dialogue reaches the highest levels of both the US and British governments

A unique and gripping thriller set in the world of modern-day war against terrorism that is set in real-time and has the audience sitting on the edge of their seats in suspense. It also asks searching questions about risk analysis and civilian casualties. It allows the audience to see the behind-the-scenes decision-making process in time of conflict, including from both military and political perspectives.