Heart of Stone (2023)

Overview

In Heart of Stone, Gal Gadot leads as Rachel Stone, a mysterious intelligence operative working undercover within MI6. But Stone’s true allegiance lies with an ultra-secret global peacekeeping agency known as The Charter. Her mission? Protect a powerful artificial intelligence called The Heart—a quantum system capable of predicting and controlling global outcomes.

When a rogue hacker named Keya Dhawan (played by Alia Bhatt) attempts to steal The Heart for her own motives, Rachel is drawn into a deadly game of betrayal, trust, and survival that spans multiple countries and organizations.

Plot Summary

Rachel Stone must balance her dual identity as a tech analyst and a highly trained field agent. As her cover is blown and her loyalty tested, she must track down and stop a threat from within her own ranks before The Heart falls into the wrong hands. The story moves swiftly across dazzling international locations—from the snowy Alps to Lisbon, Iceland, and beyond.

Cast & Characters

• Gal Gadot delivers a solid performance as the lead, combining charisma with physical intensity.

• Jamie Dornan plays Parker, a charming yet dangerous agent whose motives blur the lines between ally and enemy.

• Alia Bhatt, in her international debut, brings energy and complexity to her role as the young hacker Keya.

• Matthias Schweighöfer provides comic relief as Jack of Hearts, the Charter's eccentric tech genius.

• Sophie Okonedo lends gravitas as Nomad, the head of Rachel’s organization.

Production & Action

The film boasts high production value, with impressive location work and fast-paced action scenes. From skydiving stunts to high-speed chases, the film echoes the tone of Mission: Impossible and James Bond—but with a tech-savvy, AI-driven edge.

Despite its sleek visuals and promising concept, some critics felt the plot leaned on formulaic spy-thriller tropes and didn’t fully explore its AI themes.

Themes

• Technology vs. Humanity – Can the future of peace be entrusted to an algorithm?

• Trust in a Broken System – Who really has the world’s best interest at heart?

• Identity and Sacrifice – Rachel struggles between duty and personal cost.

Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes: 31% (critics), ~50% (audiences)

• Common Praise: Gadot’s presence, production scale, and pacing.

• Common Criticism: Generic storyline, underdeveloped characters, and lack of emotional depth.