The story begins in March 2018, when former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia collapse on a park bench in Salisbury, England – a quaint, historic city where nothing normally happens. But what starts as a local incident explodes into a geopolitical crisis, which exposes the covert espionage war being raged between Russia and the West. A cinematic portrait of loyalty and betrayal and a story that resonates amid ongoing tensions with Russia, the documentary explores the collision of two men: Sergei Skripal and Vladimir Putin, the dictator determined to settle an old score by sending assassins to Salisbury armed with the deadly nerve agent Novichok.

The Salisbury Poisonings: A Spy Next Door (2026)

★ 6.3/10 March 14, 2026 79 min

Documentary

Director: Daniel Vernon

The story begins in March 2018, when former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia collapse on a park bench in Salisbury, England – a quaint, historic city where nothing normally happens. But what starts as a local incident explodes into a geopolitical crisis, which exposes the covert espionage war being raged between Russia and the West. A cinematic portrait of loyalty and betrayal and a story that resonates amid ongoing tensions with Russia, the documentary explores the collision of two men: Sergei Skripal and Vladimir Putin, the dictator determined to settle an old score by sending assassins to Salisbury armed with the deadly nerve agent Novichok.

Where to watch

HBO Max Amazon Channel

Trailer

Director

Daniel Vernon

Cast

Neil Basu Self Richard Dearlove Self Meg Edgar Self Christo Grozev Self Theresa May Self Charlie Rowley Self Amber Rudd Self John Sawers Self Mark Sedwill Self