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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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Above Suspicion

Above Suspicion is a 2019 American crime thriller film directed by Phillip Noyce and written by Chris Gerolmo.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Above Suspicion is a 2019 American crime thriller film directed by Phillip Noyce and written by Chris Gerolmo. It is based on Joe Sharkey's non-fiction book and dramatizes the relationship between FBI agent Mark Putnam and informant Susan Smith, which ended in Smith's murder and Putnam's conviction. The film stars Emilia Clarke and Jack Huston and was released in the United States in 2021.

Plot and subject matter

The film dramatizes the relationship between a newly assigned FBI agent and a local woman who becomes his informant. Their relationship develops into an affair and ends in tragedy, following the real-life case that inspired the film.

Production and release

Above Suspicion is an American production directed by Phillip Noyce and written by Chris Gerolmo. Although produced in 2019, it was released in the United States by Lionsgate on May 7, 2021.

Source material

The film is based on Joe Sharkey's non-fiction book Above Suspicion. The book and film are tied to the case of Susan Smith and FBI agent Mark Putnam.

Cast

The principal cast includes Emilia Clarke, Jack Huston, Sophie Lowe, Austin Hébert, Karl Glusman, Chris Mulkey, Omar Miller, Kevin Dunn, Thora Birch and Johnny Knoxville.

Key facts

  • The film is adapted from Joe Sharkey's non-fiction book of the same name.
  • It centres on FBI agent Mark Putnam and informant Susan Smith.
  • The story is based on real events involving the murder of Susan Smith and the first murder conviction of an FBI agent.
  • Phillip Noyce directed the film, with Chris Gerolmo as screenwriter.
  • Emilia Clarke plays Susan Smith and Jack Huston plays Mark Putnam.
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Canadian context

The film has no clearly documented Canada-specific production or release significance in the provided sources; it is mainly relevant to Canadian readers as an internationally distributed English-language crime thriller.

Frequently asked questions

What is Above Suspicion about?
It is a crime thriller about an FBI agent and a local informant whose relationship ends in murder and scandal.
Is Above Suspicion based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on Joe Sharkey's non-fiction book about the Susan Smith and Mark Putnam case.
Who directed Above Suspicion?
Phillip Noyce directed the film.
Who stars in Above Suspicion?
The film stars Emilia Clarke and Jack Huston, along with Sophie Lowe, Austin Hébert and others.
When was Above Suspicion released?
It was released in the United States on May 7, 2021.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Above_Suspicion_(2019_film)
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, basis on Joe Sharkey's book, and U.S. release date.
  2. FilmAffinity — https://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film240348.html
    Supports: Original title, year, and Spanish-language synopsis identifying the story and informant relationship.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/above_suspicion_2021
    Supports: True-story premise, cast, genre, rating, and release date.
  4. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/above-suspicion/umc.cmc.6fo9z5chj1aimfhhzqwqkvhk1?l=es
    Supports: Synopsis, cast, director, and runtime.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5688068/
    Supports: Basic film identification, cast, and plot premise.