Manchurian candidate
Programmed political assassin
A Manchurian candidate is a person, especially a politician, secretly controlled by an outside force—typically a foreign power or hidden faction working against the interests they publicly represent.
The term comes from the 1959 novel and subsequent films about a brainwashed assassin.
It now applies broadly to anyone suspected of being a covert agent of hostile interests: Critics called the senator a Manchurian candidate for the oil industry.
Embedded spy awaiting activation
- double agentSpy betraying their side
- covert operativeHidden intelligence agent
- infiltratorOne who enters covertly
- intelligence assetPerson supplying secret information
handler · activation code · deep cover · clandestine · tradecraft · counterintelligence · mole · defector
Directing another's thoughts
- programmingWriting software instructions
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- hypnosisInduced trance state
- sleeperOne at rest
activation · trigger · thought reform · indoctrination · deprogramming · subliminal · mental manipulation · coercion
Scheme to kill a target
- shadow governmentConcealed parallel authority structure
- deep stateCovert governmental power structure
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
hidden agenda · puppet · power play · cabal · disinformation · insider threat · patsy · fall guy
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- psychological thrillerSuspense via mental states
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
political thriller · tension · climax · revelation · betrayal · unmasking · Frank Sinatra · Angela Lansbury
sleeper agent
Embedded spy awaiting activation
- double agentSpy betraying their side
- covert operativeHidden intelligence agent
- infiltratorOne who enters covertly
intelligence asset · handler · activation code · deep cover · clandestine · tradecraft · counterintelligence · mole · defector · spy
mind control
Directing another's thoughts
- programmingWriting software instructions
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- hypnosisInduced trance state
sleeper · activation · trigger · thought reform · indoctrination · deprogramming · subliminal · mental manipulation · coercion · unwitting
assassination plot
Scheme to kill a target
- shadow governmentConcealed parallel authority structure
- deep stateCovert governmental power structure
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
coup · hidden agenda · puppet · power play · cabal · disinformation · insider threat · patsy · fall guy · orchestrated
suspense
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- psychological thrillerSuspense via mental states
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
intrigue · political thriller · tension · climax · revelation · betrayal · unmasking · Frank Sinatra · Angela Lansbury · Denzel Washington
Manchurian candidatefree agent
Unsigned professional seeking employment
mastermind · puppet master · handler · controller · free thinker
Manchurian candidategenuine article
Authentic original item
independent candidate · true believer · what-you-see-is-what-you-get · man of the people · straight shooter
Manchuria, Manchurian, candidate, candidates, candidacy, candidacies, candidature, candid, candidly