Murder, the Mafia and Political Corruption Abound in 'Backstabbing for Beginners' Trailer (Exclusive)

Ben Kingsley and Theo James star in the political thriller from the screenwriter of 'The Manchurian Candidate,' and ET has your first look.

"My name is Michael Sullivan and I have a story I think you're gonna want to hear."

In Backstabbing for Beginners, the new political thriller from The Manchurian Candidate screenwriter Daniel Pyne and filmmaker Per Fly, Theo James plays Michael Sullivan, an idealistic young man who wants to make a difference with his work at the United Nations. Instead, he uncovers the apparent murder of his predecessor and begins to unravel a global conspiracy involving humanitarian relief, political scandal and oil in the Middle East.

ET has the exclusive trailer for the drama, which is based on the true story detailed in Michael Soussan's memoir of the same name. The movie co-stars Jacqueline Bisset and Sir Ben Kingsley as Sullivan's corrupt boss. "You and me, kid, we can save the world," Kingsley's diplomat, Pasha, says. "Trust me."

A24

Backstabbing for Beginners will be available exclusively on DIRECTV on March 22 before opening in theaters and On Demand on April 27

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