'Spy' a 'Hidden Gem,' Rose Byrne Says: 'Statham Is So Funny'

Rose Byrne, an Academy Award nominee for her 2025 role in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, singled out her 2015 film Spy as a "hidden gem." When asked by Magic FM which of her past films deserved that label, she named Spy and praised Melissa McCarthy and Jason Statham, saying, "Statham is so funny." Written and directed by Paul Feig, Spy stars Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Jude Law, Miranda Hart, Bobby Cannavale and Byrne.

The film follows CIA analyst Susan Cooper (McCarthy), who moves from desk duty into the field to capture an arms dealer and avenge the death of the agency's top agent. Byrne plays the sophisticated villain Rayna Boyanov, while Statham undercuts his action-hero persona as superspy Rick Ford.

Ford's outlandish claims — immune to 179 different poisons, breaking both legs and still performing in a Cirque du Soleil show, reattaching one arm with the other, and appealing convincingly in front of Congress as Barack Obama — provide much of the film's comedic bite.

rose byrne, spy, jason statham, melissa mccarthy, paul feig, jude law, susan cooper, rayna boyanov, rick ford, academy award