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5.7/10 · 1,118 ratings20053h 10mWeirdness 4/10Bingo card

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The premise

On the eve of the elections in Russia, there's an outbreak of a mysterious disease. The British are curious to find out what's going on, so they need to send someone. An official knows someone, Jason Monk, an American Agent who worked deep cover in Russia during the Cold War. He approaches Monk, who initially refuses till he tells Monk that he can help him settle some old scores and to see his daughter whom he left when he was pulled out. So Monk goes and makes contact with an old friend and a Russian policewoman. They learn that someone is trying to manipulate the election.

How unusual is it?

A fairly classic Hallmark setup with a quirk or two.

A rare specific

Tap to find the other Hallmark movies that share it.

Who’s in it

Behind the camera

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Wait, what?

The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.

  • The film features a plot about state-sponsored ethnic cleansing and biological warfare, which is extremely dark for Hallmark.
  • The protagonist is an ex-CIA agent who specializes in 'turning' people to betray their country.
  • The 'vaccine' is actually a tool for a genocidal conspiracy.
  • A corrupt CIA official helps a Russian dictator for 'two extra zeros' on his paycheck.

Every trope, all in one place

Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 24 to find more movies that do the same thing.

How it all plays out

Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.

Full story (spoilers)
The film opens with Jason Monk, a former CIA agent with a 'gift' for turning double agents, investigating a series of bombings involving Hexogen and Semtex H explosives. He discovers that the FSB is using GPS tracking to eliminate witnesses and suspects that Igor Komarov, a former KGB officer and current presidential candidate, is orchestrating terrorist attacks to bolster his anti-terrorist campaign. Monk's former handler, Jordan Blackledge, is dismissive of these claims due to the US government's support for Komarov, but Monk is driven by a personal vendetta; Komarov was the supervisor who ordered the execution of Monk's five double agents years prior. While in Russia, Monk reunites with his friend Viktor and seeks out his estranged daughter, Elena. Elena, who was told her father was a dead traitor, is initially hostile. Meanwhile, a biological outbreak of the R-81 virus (a mutated Ebola strain) occurs in a Muslim village in Dagestan. Komarov uses the tragedy to his advantage, claiming terrorists stole the virus and then appearing as a hero by providing a 'vaccine' his company supposedly developed. Monk and FSB agent Sonia Astrova discover a 'Manifesto for a New Russia' on a hidden hard drive, which reveals Komarov's true plan: the 'Rising,' a program of ethnic cleansing targeting Muslims, Jews, and other minorities using genetically engineered viruses. Monk is eventually betrayed by Jordan Blackledge, who is revealed to be in league with Komarov for financial gain. Monk is captured and confronted by Komarov, who boasts about his plan to restore Russian pride through 'order out of chaos.' Monk manages to escape, kills his captors, and secures evidence of the ethnic cleansing map. On the day of Komarov's inauguration, the secret services and the public learn of the conspiracy. Massive protests erupt in Moscow. Komarov orders General Nikolahev to fire on the crowds to maintain order, but the General, a man of principle, refuses to be a 'butcher' and orders the soldiers to stand down. Komarov is arrested, and the biological threat is neutralized. The film ends with Monk reconciling with Elena and Sonia Astrova, now the head of the FSB, offering him a job to help rebuild the agency.

Beat by beat

  1. Opening

    Jason Monk identifies FSB involvement in biological weapon thefts and links them to presidential candidate Igor Komarov.

  2. Inciting Incident

    A biological outbreak in Dagestan allows Komarov to pose as a national hero by providing a pre-made vaccine.

  3. Midpoint

    Monk and Sonia discover the 'Manifesto for a New Russia,' revealing Komarov's plans for genocide and ethnic cleansing.

  4. Rising Action

    Monk is captured by his corrupt CIA handler, Jordan Blackledge, but escapes after a confrontation with Komarov.

  5. Climax

    During the inauguration, General Nikolahev refuses Komarov's order to fire on protesters, leading to the military standing down.

  6. Resolution

    Komarov is arrested, and Monk reconciles with his daughter Elena while being offered a new role in the FSB.

Did you know?

A few things that make this one stand out once you stack it up against every other Hallmark movie.

  • At 3h 10m it's a genuine epic by Hallmark standards — only about 58 of their movies run two hours or longer.

24 tropes in one movie

We counted 24 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.

The backstory

  • Based on Icon.
  • Filmed in Bulgaria.
Icon is a 2005 made-for-television thriller film directed by Charles Martin Smith and very loosely based on the 1997 novel by Frederick Forsyth. The film premiered on Hallmark Channel May 30, 2005. It is set in the period 1985 to 1999.
From Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

How it stacks up

Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.

Rating 5.7 vs every rated Hallmark moviemedian 6.4This movie · 5.7567

Among the lower-rated Hallmark movies — the median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog Icon belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

Lines worth quoting

The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.

  • “I had the ability to make people to betray their government. I alone had five double agents in Russia.”
    — Jason MonkExplaining his past to Sonia.
  • “Journalists, liberals, homosexuals, Jews, Muslims... So this is what his new Russia looks like.”
    — Jason MonkReading Komarov's manifesto.
  • “I command soldiers, not butchers.”
    — General NikolahevRefusing to fire on the crowd (referenced by Monk).
  • “You may have won the Cold War, but the real battle now begins.”
    — Igor KomarovThreatening Monk after his capture.

Meet the characters

Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.

  • Jason Monk

    Lead

    Ex-CIA Operative

    principledhauntedskilleddetermined
  • Igor Komarov

    Antagonist

    Presidential Candidate / Former KGB

    Former nemesis and current target

    genocidalcharismaticruthlessmanipulative
  • Jordan Blackledge

    Antagonist

    CIA Handler

    Former boss and betrayer

    corruptgreedycynical
  • Sonia Astrova

    Supporting

    FSB Agent

    Ally and professional contact

    loyalbraveintelligent
  • Elena

    Supporting

    Student

    Estranged daughter

    resentfulstrong-willedforgiving

Questions people ask about Icon

Where can I watch Icon?

Icon is available via fuboTV. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

Is Icon based on a book?

Yes. Icon is based on Icon.

How long is Icon?

Icon runs about 3 hours and 10 minutes, and was released in 2005.

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Data and sources

HallmarkDB catalogue. How we research filmsData refreshed .

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Sources:IMDbTMDBWikipedia