The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)

Last updated:
September 23, 2025

The Spy Who Dumped Me is a 2018 action-comedy directed by Susanna Fogel. It blends buddy comedy with espionage thrills, centering on two best friends who get caught in a whirlwind of international spy drama after a painful breakup.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Breakup and the Twist

Audrey (Mila Kunis) is dumped via text by her boyfriend Drew (Justin Theroux). While Audrey is heartbroken, her best friend Morgan (Kate McKinnon) does her best to cheer her up. Audrey soon learns that Drew wasn’t just a jerk—he was also a CIA spy. This discovery pulls Audrey and Morgan into a dangerous world of espionage.

From LA to Europe

The women quickly find themselves pursued by assassins and intelligence agents. Drew reappears briefly, revealing that he left behind a crucial item in Audrey’s apartment: a second-place fantasy football trophy, which actually contains vital information. Now, every major intelligence agency wants it. Audrey and Morgan, despite having zero spy training, are forced to fly to Vienna and hand it off.

Escalating Chaos

As they stumble through Europe—from Vienna to Prague and finally Berlin—they encounter a mix of dangerous operatives, including the suspicious British agent Sebastian (Sam Heughan) and a deadly gymnast-assassin named Nadedja (Ivanna Sakhno). Throughout it all, Morgan’s chaotic energy and Audrey’s reluctant cleverness help them survive ridiculous situations, including car chases, torture attempts, and high-stakes double-crosses.

Movie Ending

The climax unfolds at the Vienna Opera House, where Audrey and Morgan must deliver the trophy to the right person while multiple spies close in. Drew reveals his true colors—he’s not only alive but also working for the enemy. His betrayal confirms that he never had Audrey’s best interests at heart.

Sebastian, the MI6 agent, proves his loyalty and helps the women survive. Audrey ultimately shoots Drew, proving she’s grown from a passive girlfriend into a capable, decisive woman. With the villains defeated and the trophy safely recovered, Sebastian and Audrey share a romantic spark, suggesting the beginning of a new, healthier relationship.

Morgan and Audrey return to their “normal” lives, though normal will never be the same again. Their friendship is stronger than ever, and they’ve proven they can handle just about anything—accidentally or not.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes. The film features a short, fun post-credits scene. Audrey and Morgan are shown celebrating Morgan’s birthday in Tokyo, only to once again stumble into a dangerous situation. This leaves the door open for more adventures while keeping the comedic tone alive.

Type of Movie

The film is an action-comedy with strong buddy-movie vibes. It combines high-octane chase scenes and espionage intrigue with lighthearted humor, leaning heavily on the chemistry between Kunis and McKinnon.

Cast

Mila Kunis as Audrey
Kate McKinnon as Morgan
Justin Theroux as Drew
Sam Heughan as Sebastian
Ivanna Sakhno as Nadedja
Gillian Anderson as Wendy, Sebastian’s MI6 boss
Hasan Minhaj as Duffer, Sebastian’s competitive MI6 partner

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Tyler Bates, known for his work on Guardians of the Galaxy and John Wick. The soundtrack also features a mix of pop tracks that emphasize the film’s comedic tone, balanced with suspenseful music during action sequences.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed in multiple European cities, including Budapest, Vienna, and Berlin. These locations were chosen to give the film a classic spy-thriller atmosphere. Budapest served as a versatile backdrop, doubling for multiple European cities to add variety and style without moving the production across too many countries.

Awards and Nominations

While the movie didn’t score major awards, it did earn praise for McKinnon’s comedic performance and the female-led buddy dynamic. It was often highlighted in discussions about the lack of women-driven action comedies.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Director Susanna Fogel co-wrote the script, aiming to create a female-led twist on the traditional spy genre.
Kate McKinnon improvised many of her lines, adding unpredictable humor to scenes.
Mila Kunis performed some of her own stunts, particularly during chase scenes.
The production leaned into practical effects for action sequences, using stunt doubles for dangerous moments but avoiding excessive CGI.

Inspirations and References

The film draws inspiration from classic spy thrillers like the James Bond series and action comedies like Spy (2015). It also owes some stylistic influence to Mr. & Mrs. Smith, blending romance and betrayal with shootouts and international intrigue.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No official alternate endings were released, but extended scenes reportedly included more of Morgan’s wild antics, which were trimmed for pacing. Test audiences responded better when the film kept its momentum tight.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie is not based on a book. However, it plays with and satirizes tropes from spy novels and films, especially the idea of the “ordinary person thrown into espionage.”

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Drew’s sudden reappearance in Audrey’s apartment, which flips the story on its head.
The chaotic car chase through Vienna, with Audrey barely keeping control of the vehicle.
The opera house climax where loyalties are revealed.
Morgan pretending to be a professional trapeze artist to distract enemies.

Iconic Quotes

Morgan: “If we’re gonna die, let’s die knowing we’re the hottest we’ve ever been.”
Audrey: “I’m the bad-ass who shot her ex-boyfriend.”
Morgan (to Gillian Anderson’s MI6 boss): “Can I just say, you are the Beyoncé of the government.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Morgan often makes meta-references to spy movies, directly poking fun at genre clichés.
Audrey’s trophy (the McGuffin) is deliberately mundane, a nod to the silliness of spy gadgets and secret objects in classic thrillers.
The Tokyo post-credits scene is a wink at the idea of endless spy sequels.

Trivia

Kate McKinnon’s character was written with her in mind, making Morgan’s personality very close to McKinnon’s improv style.
Sam Heughan filmed this between seasons of Outlander, marking one of his first big Hollywood movie roles.
Gillian Anderson’s casting was an intentional homage to her The X-Files role, playing another high-ranking intelligence figure.

Why Watch?

Because it’s rare to see a female-led spy comedy that balances action, humor, and friendship. Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon’s chemistry is the movie’s biggest strength, and the globetrotting spy antics keep the pace exciting. It’s perfect if you want something lighter than a James Bond flick but sharper than a typical buddy comedy.

Director’s Other Movies

Life Partners (2014)
Cat Person (2023)

The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)