The Confidant (2012)
A Slovak historical thriller about a newlywed man who strikes a dangerous bargain with a totalitarian state's secret police — and pays a devastating price.
The Confidant - Movie Information
- Original Title: eŠteBák
- Release Year: 2012
- Directed by: Juraj Nvota
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, History, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 48m
- Original Language: Slovak
- Spoken Languages: Czech, Slovak
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 19, 2012 (SK), July 5, 2012 (United States - PG-13)
- Alternative Titles: The Confidant (UK), Konfident (PL), Eštebák (SK)
- Production Companies: Attack Film, Česká televize, RTVS, MaxiFilm & TV, Apple Film Production
- Production Countries: Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia
The Confidant - Plot
New husband Adam reluctantly takes a job with state security in a totalitarian country, thus becoming a secret police agent. This "contract with the devil" helps secure a flat for the happy couple, as well as a prosperous future. However, he soon finds out that he too is under surveillance.
The Confidant - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the moral tension of Adam's dangerous double life unfold:
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The Confidant - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Juraj Nvota
Main Cast
- Jiří Mádl
- Ondřej Vetchý
- Jan Budař
- Michaela Majerníková
- Marek Geišberg
- Arnošt Goldflam
- Tatiana Pauhofová
- Maciej Stuhr
- Marko Igonda
- Szidi Tobias
Writers
- Ľubomír Slivka
Producers
- Katarína Vanžurová
The Confidant - FAQs
Who are the main actors in The Confidant?
The Confidant features Jiří Mádl in the lead role as Adam, alongside Ondřej Vetchý as Commander Dravec and Jan Budař as Commander Rybarik. Michaela Majerníková plays Eva, with further support from Tatiana Pauhofová, Arnošt Goldflam, Maciej Stuhr, and Marko Igonda.
Is The Confidant based on a true story?
The Confidant is not based on a single documented true story, but it draws heavily on the real historical reality of communist-era secret police operations in Czechoslovakia and Slovakia. The film reflects the lived experiences of countless individuals who were coerced or recruited into collaborating with state security services during that period.
What is The Confidant about?
The Confidant follows Adam, a newlywed who reluctantly signs on as a secret police informant in a totalitarian state to secure housing and a stable future for himself and his wife. As he sinks deeper into the system's moral compromises, he discovers that even he is being watched and manipulated by the very apparatus he serves.
Where can you stream The Confidant online?
You can watch The Confidant on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads as part of a subscription, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video. It's also available for free on Tubi TV, Plex, Plex Channel, and Fawesome, so there are plenty of ways to catch it without spending anything.
Does The Confidant have a morally ambiguous ending?
Yes, The Confidant leans into moral ambiguity throughout and especially at its conclusion. Adam's journey never resolves into a clean redemption arc — the film deliberately leaves viewers sitting with the weight of his choices and the systemic corruption that shaped them, making it one of the more unsettling aspects of the story.
Who directed The Confidant and what language is it in?
The Confidant was directed by Slovak filmmaker Juraj Nvota. The film is primarily in Slovak and Czech, reflecting its Central European co-production roots spanning Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland. English subtitles are available for international audiences watching on streaming platforms.
What is the age rating and runtime of The Confidant?
The Confidant carries a PG-13 rating in the United States, making it accessible to most audiences while still tackling mature themes of surveillance, coercion, and moral compromise. The film runs for 108 minutes — just under two hours — giving the story enough room to develop its tense, layered narrative.
What films are similar to The Confidant?
If The Confidant resonated with you, you might enjoy The Operative (2019), Terra Nova (2008), or 24 Days (2014) for their similarly taut espionage and moral tension. The Quiller Memorandum (1966) and Protégé (2007) are also worth exploring for fans of Cold War-era intrigue and complex double-agent dynamics.
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