Backstabbing for Beginners (2018)

In the autumn of 2002, young and ambitious Michael Sullivan, a 24-year-old lobbyist, takes a leap of faith into the intricate world of diplomacy at the United Nations. Despite a shaky interview, he lands the job, spurred by a family legacy of diplomats, and the memory of his father, a casualty of the US Embassy bombing in Beirut. Sullivan is eager to make his mark on the world, to bring about change. As the newly appointed assistant to Costa Pasaris, known as Pasha, the Undersecretary of the colossal Oil for Food program, Sullivan finds himself plunged into a world of high-stakes humanitarian efforts. Designed to sell Iraqi oil at market value, the program's proceeds are intended to provide food and medicine to the Iraqi people, not to line the pockets of Saddam Hussein's regime. Initially, Pasha values Sullivan as a trusted aide, especially in the face of opposition from skeptics like Christina Dupre, the Field Director in Iraq, who suspects rampant corruption within the program. During his time in Baghdad, Sullivan begins to notice disquieting signs of corruption, such as expired medications in hospitals and clinics. His suspicion deepens when he meets Nashim Hussani, his Iraqi interpreter, who hints at sinister machinations behind the fate of Sullivan's predecessor—a man who allegedly perished in a car accident, but who Nashim suggests was murdered for information he possessed about the program. Torn between conflicting accounts from Nashim and Pasha, Sullivan must decide whom to trust. As the truth gradually unravels, he faces a grave decision—how to bring about justice and initiate change, knowing the potential repercussions could end his diplomatic career. "Backstabbing for Beginners" takes the viewer on a thrilling journey through the labyrinth of global politics, where every decision could mean life or death.

Backstabbing for Beginners is a drama movie featuring Theo James and directed by Per Fly.

Backstabbing for Beginners is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Cinemax Amazon Channel and DIRECTV.

It is also possible to buy Backstabbing for Beginners on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube or rent it on Spectrum On Demand.