A bit over three months in the past, Netflix launched The Recruit, an action-thriller collection starring Noah Centineo as a younger worker on the CIA who will get in over his head when he is involuntarily thrust into a world conspiracy. Hitting the streamer this week is The Evening Agent, an action-thriller collection starring Gabriel Basso as a younger worker on the FBI who will get in over his head when he is involuntarily thrust into a world conspiracy. There’s undoubtedly a sample right here.
It is arduous to not examine these two exhibits — not solely are each Netflix originals, however the plots of each really feel extraordinarily comparable. Simply swap out one US intelligence and safety service for an additional. You may’t actually fault both collection or make the declare that The Evening Agent is a ripoff of The Recruit, as these had been each doubtless shot throughout the identical timeframe. Prime Video has espionage-themed titles similar to Jack Ryan, Reacher, and The Terminal Listing which have all drawn in huge numbers, so why cannot Netflix get in on the enjoyable and construct out its personal slate?
The Evening Agent, which is predicated on the novel of the identical title by Matthew Quirk, facilities on Peter Sutherland (Basso), a younger FBI worker who works within the basement of The White Home throughout a graveyard shift the place his primary job is to reply an emergency line that hardly ever rings. Months earlier than the beginning of the collection, Peter survived a terrorist assault on a subway system, with a number of conspiracy-minded people believing him to be concerned. Proper when Peter’s once-promising profession appears to be turning into an uneventful slog, he receives an pressing name from tech CEO Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan), who bears witness to the assassination of her aunt and uncle. Peter quickly finds himself tasked with defending Rose and begins to uncover the reality that ties collectively the terrorist assault in addition to the assassinations that time to there being a mole throughout the White Home. Sadly for him, he is additionally a suspect.
Picture by way of Netflix
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One could be fast to think about The Evening Agent to be yet one more conspiracy thriller collection stuffed with the identical clichés and contrivances that you simply’d anticipate. It is true that this is not essentially the most unique present of the 12 months, however on the similar time, that does not forestall it from being an extremely partaking watch. With 10 episodes, every clocking in round 45 to 50 minutes, The Evening Agent is thrilling, addicting, and efficiently in a position to steadiness a storyline that might have simply grow to be over-complicated. We have seen exhibits like this that begin off promising however then fall sufferer to an overcomplicated plot the place should you even blink, you might be lacking a key plot element. That is not what The Evening Agent is. The storyline is concise and straightforward to observe with out ever descending into simplicity. Whereas there are definitely moments that are not essentially the most practical, it by no means takes you out or makes you cease caring.
Identified for creating and co-creating collection similar to The Protect, Timeless, and S.W.A.T., Shawn Ryan is an knowledgeable at crafting thrilling programming, and The Evening Agent isn’t any totally different. In reality, the present’s brisk pacing virtually makes it really feel extra like a film, and that is one of many primary the reason why the collection works in addition to it does. The cliffhangers on the finish of every episode virtually demand that you simply keep seated and watch the subsequent episode. There’s hardly ever a boring second, and it has the appropriate steadiness of motion, political intrigue, and familial drama — all whereas by no means dropping deal with the plot at massive, leading to greater than a satisfying first season.
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Amidst all of the chaos, The Evening Agent additionally has a robust coronary heart; via the course of the season, we be taught not solely about Peter’s relationship together with his late father and his reasoning behind becoming a member of the FBI, however we additionally get to attach with Rose and perceive her story. Basso and Buchanan are completely forged as Peter and Rose, elevating their characters past simply the archetypes you may anticipate from a collection like this. They’ve a pure chemistry with each other and whereas their relationship does go in some sudden instructions, it is their supply that makes you in a position to go together with it. Hong Chau, who seems to be lastly getting her due together with her lately acclaimed roles in The Whale, The Menu, and Poker Face, continues her profitable streak within the function of Diane Farr, the U.S. Chief of Employees. Chau is clearly the largest stand-out; her character is likely one of the extra sophisticated ones among the many ensemble, typically current in a grey space and both at odds with our heroes or making an attempt to help them. Chau exhibits a transparent understanding of her character, proving as soon as once more that she’s one of the versatile actresses working at the moment. There are points of Diane which might be a bit underwritten, however luckily, Chau’s appearing overshadows her character’s shortcomings.
At instances, the present borders on turning into too melodramatic in its writing. The plot, whereas compelling, is as predictable as you’ll anticipate, with not plenty of surprises. A few of the twists additionally aren’t practically as surprising or stunning because the script clearly thinks they’re. That is to not say that the execution is boring, however it does have a really acquainted sense to it. Within the pantheon of action-thrillers on streaming, The Evening Agent is unquestionably one of many extra memorable ones. Those that fell in love with The Recruit will really feel proper at dwelling with the brand new collection, and people in want of one other motion title as they await the return of Reacher may also be greater than happy. This is not breaking any new floor by way of its style, however it does handle to take what works in earlier exhibits and run with it —which in actuality, is all one can ask for. If it ain’t broke, do not repair it.
Ranking: B
All episodes of The Evening Agent at the moment are streaming on Netflix.