I read some terrible reviews, but realised most had not actually watched more than 1 or 2 episodes at the most. I liked the premise so gave it a go. So glad I did. It was gripping, a roller coaster. Pretty violent but some great twists. Strong female characters. Give it a go, I'm glad I watched it!
215 Reviews
mind less fun
mageh31 January 2022
Weird, plain weird
Turanic29 January 2022
Obviously people come expecting Jason Bourne, but they get some strange mix of Nikita, Fringe Black Widow and Ghost in The shell ... The show is deliberately trying to be weird or different and there are a lot of genre mixes from drama to sci fi and even comedy, if the show was plain spy action it would win big time, unfortunately it is trying multiple genres at the same time...
Absolutely a decent watch
blukaerzen3 February 2022
Don't mind the reviews and give this show a go. It is different from others and obviously not perfect, but it's a good watch.
I loved the flashbacks, getting to know the history of an ordinary spy-mom. The show is full of action, (kinda obvious) twists and the story is just fine.
Ending got me wanting to watch more.
I loved the flashbacks, getting to know the history of an ordinary spy-mom. The show is full of action, (kinda obvious) twists and the story is just fine.
Ending got me wanting to watch more.
Manage your expectations and have a good time (minor spoilers only)
morcego29 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I have seen some people talking about how this isn't how Russian spying works, or doesn't correctly reflect the roles US and Russia played and blah blah.
Ok, the ex-spy can turn into someone else that she casually touched and "absorbed" their DNA, and make herself invisible with "camo mode" (only naked, but hair is ok), and people complain about it not being historically realistic?
Lets take it down several pegs.
This is just some easy entertainment. Plenty of cheep tricks and common places.
Ok? Got your expectations under control?
Then get ready for some entertaining time based on a very interesting (if not new) premisse.
I never expected a masterpiece, just something that could keep my attention, and it mostly managed that. The acting is competent, if not brilliant, for the most part.
Ok, the ex-spy can turn into someone else that she casually touched and "absorbed" their DNA, and make herself invisible with "camo mode" (only naked, but hair is ok), and people complain about it not being historically realistic?
Lets take it down several pegs.
This is just some easy entertainment. Plenty of cheep tricks and common places.
Ok? Got your expectations under control?
Then get ready for some entertaining time based on a very interesting (if not new) premisse.
I never expected a masterpiece, just something that could keep my attention, and it mostly managed that. The acting is competent, if not brilliant, for the most part.
Could have been better
Plazeebo28 January 2022
Didn't really care for the shape shifting. She could have been a master of disguise like a real spy, but I reckon in this day and age, every hero needs to be a super hero.
The spy stuff is why I watched this. We've seen that a female protagonist works well in Atomic Blonde, so I was hoping for some great action and great acting.
The flash backs are nice, but the current events are.. well, she's supposedly a soccer mom, and the choreography looks like they been briefed to "make it look like a soccer mom would fight".
I'm sure Margarita Levieva could pull off some nice moves, being a gymnast and all, but it's not really showing in the action scenes.
The CIA dude is not really selling it, nor is the tech dude. Looks like two people straight out of a heist movie.
The spy stuff is why I watched this. We've seen that a female protagonist works well in Atomic Blonde, so I was hoping for some great action and great acting.
The flash backs are nice, but the current events are.. well, she's supposedly a soccer mom, and the choreography looks like they been briefed to "make it look like a soccer mom would fight".
I'm sure Margarita Levieva could pull off some nice moves, being a gymnast and all, but it's not really showing in the action scenes.
The CIA dude is not really selling it, nor is the tech dude. Looks like two people straight out of a heist movie.
Gets better
erinapdx30 January 2022
Ok, it's definitely one that could BE better, but if you can make it to ep 4 I think you'll enjoy it. It's a quirky premise, so not for everyone, but like an onion, layers reveal new and intriguing bits. A couple of the actors are pretty bad, which is unfortunate, but I got past that. All in all, it has potential and definitely entertaining if you have a lil patience.
Doesn't live up to potential due to bad writing
jandersh-128 January 2022
The show seems like it could be good, but the writing is just plain poor. It seemed like the only focus was on the action, which led to largely ignoring plot development. There are just too many instances where things make no sense with the show spending no time trying to make the audience understand.
Somewhat campy, but ultimately very exciting spy/superhero story - the ending leaves questions though
AristarchosTheArchivist29 January 2022
People should finish the series before reviewing, let alone rating it 1 star.
This multinational effort is certainly worthwhile and keeps you hooked, once you find your way into the story. I had the time to binge it and it didn't disappoint.
The execution is very stylish and effective, there's a lot of campy comic book stuff though. Some suspension of disbelief is advised.
The only problem I see is the very ending. It leaves so many questions open after the story had just been wrapped up... I hope this will result in a second season which I would certainly watch.
If you're into spy/superhero stuff and/or a fan of the city of Madrid, this is for you.
This multinational effort is certainly worthwhile and keeps you hooked, once you find your way into the story. I had the time to binge it and it didn't disappoint.
The execution is very stylish and effective, there's a lot of campy comic book stuff though. Some suspension of disbelief is advised.
The only problem I see is the very ending. It leaves so many questions open after the story had just been wrapped up... I hope this will result in a second season which I would certainly watch.
If you're into spy/superhero stuff and/or a fan of the city of Madrid, this is for you.
Terrible acting by one character ruin whole series
abwetman-1-81732831 January 2022
The wooden acting of Kincaid as Becca bring the action and drama To a screeching halt every time she appears on screen. The producers seem to figure this out and have minimized her appearance. The rest of the series is well handled with an obvious twist ending it's an enjoyable weekend bingeing.
Corny, outrageous sci-fi plot! :-(
stevebondi12 February 2022
See it through!
sarahmattina30 January 2022
I watched all 8 episodes between last evening and this morning as it's a nice contained story (or is it?!). There were some very decent plot twists. The body morphing technology seems pretty nuts but this is a fictional story so I just went with it.
I read some reviews criticizing the flashbacks but I think they were important to shape the characters although it's not until they all wrapped up that the significance is clear. Hence, my advice to stick it out if you have got the time and the interest after the first couple episodes.
I could have done without the teenage drama which was kinda messy insofar as the storyline behind it but it was minor so I'll let it go too. I literally feel that way about every show/movie with whiny teenagers.
Main characters were very entertaining. Supporting were a little cheesy at times but served their purpose.
Overall, a fun little distraction for a cold January weekend!
I read some reviews criticizing the flashbacks but I think they were important to shape the characters although it's not until they all wrapped up that the significance is clear. Hence, my advice to stick it out if you have got the time and the interest after the first couple episodes.
I could have done without the teenage drama which was kinda messy insofar as the storyline behind it but it was minor so I'll let it go too. I literally feel that way about every show/movie with whiny teenagers.
Main characters were very entertaining. Supporting were a little cheesy at times but served their purpose.
Overall, a fun little distraction for a cold January weekend!
Classic
hakan-aydin145330 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Türkçe
The sleeping giant wakes up again classic spy story A very successful young agent in Russia at a young age, maybe the best in the country, maybe his job will turn everything upside down. A formula made by a scientist after losing track of 30 years, he finds himself in the field again, albeit unintentionally and exciting moments begin.
The sleeping giant wakes up again classic spy story A very successful young agent in Russia at a young age, maybe the best in the country, maybe his job will turn everything upside down. A formula made by a scientist after losing track of 30 years, he finds himself in the field again, albeit unintentionally and exciting moments begin.
Ruined My Marriage
shwinner-915474 February 2022
I could not stand this show. The writing was unintelligible. The characters were sorely underdeveloped and the plot was lacking any interesting depth. My wife for some reason liked it. What started as a probe into how she could like something like this devolved into realizing I did not know this person at all. Long story short we are now separated and I think it is for the best. If she likes "In From The Cold" we were not meant to be. The action in the show is fine.
Insane Garbage
jackbaumel5 February 2022
The actors try, but this is just weird. The writers just strung tropes and cliches together hoping something would emerge. Nothing did. What we got is a terrible mashup of The Americans, Homeland, Killing Eve, Mission Impossible, and Manimal.
Give it a Go!
synchtapper130 January 2022
Levieva et al do an admirable job of carrying this series forward. The action sequences are equally endearing. The story line and some of the supporting cast (less skilled players stood out) must have been a heavy lift for the lead and her 2 sidekicks. I hope they don't shelve the project based on some of these reviews. The Russian contingent was solid as well but again weighed down by dialogue and a story line that dragged behind. I earnestly watched them all, admittedly napping through some of the storylines, only to awake with no problem connecting the predictable story. The Spanish players need not try so hard but again, that was a lot to carry.
I'd say return to the states, our fractured community is ripe for an undercover kick ass woman and her men. Or Canada, that community offers diverse skilled supporting cast options and top notch production teams.
I'd say return to the states, our fractured community is ripe for an undercover kick ass woman and her men. Or Canada, that community offers diverse skilled supporting cast options and top notch production teams.
20% quality, 80% filler
natehale8 February 2022
This could have been a decent 2hr movie or 2 part story. No need to be 6 1/2 hours long. Too much back and forth between past and present. It is like they set out for a series but did not have a strong enough story. So they made a great opening and then 5 episodes worth of dialogue before the end.
It was nice!
nastasia_g81 February 2022
This of course was not "The Americans " which in my opinion is at the top of the series of its type but it was nice. Some plot holes of course and a bit lighter on the acting but it gets you through a rainy weekend in a good way..
A waste of my time
numet-591294 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The story line is ok... The only thing that really bothers me is that they keep portraying the EUROPOL as an organization with jurisdiction. Is not like the FBI or other form of agency. The EUROPOL provide expert knowledge to the individual countries police and helps coordinate any form of co-investegation between 2 or more countries in Europe. But they have absolutely no right to inveterate any crime on their own, what do ever.
I know it's fiction, but at least get the facts right.
I wouldn't call binge-worthy... I really had no problem stopping mid episode and resuming the day after.
The English speaking between the Spanish actor also got me.... Why do they speak English even though no English speaker is around? Sounds really amatuer-ish and silly.
The only good thing is the locations. Beautiful city scenery.
The main characters don't really impress. Mediocre performance.
I feel I wasted time... And I'm not going to wait for a 2nd season.
I know it's fiction, but at least get the facts right.
I wouldn't call binge-worthy... I really had no problem stopping mid episode and resuming the day after.
The English speaking between the Spanish actor also got me.... Why do they speak English even though no English speaker is around? Sounds really amatuer-ish and silly.
The only good thing is the locations. Beautiful city scenery.
The main characters don't really impress. Mediocre performance.
I feel I wasted time... And I'm not going to wait for a 2nd season.
An Assassin On Thin Ice
Pairic14 February 2022
In From The Cold: US mom Jenny Franklin is acting as chaperone to her teen daughter Becca's figure skating team in Madrid where she is abducted by a CIA team and it's revealed that Jenny is a Russian assassin who adopted a new identity in the 1990s. She is blackmailed into working for the Company, the alternative being a berth in a Supermax. She hasn't lost her skills and we soon discover that she has additional talents. I won't give away all of her powers as some of them are crucial to the plot development. We enter a world of smoke and mirrors, plots, counter-plots, red herrings and conspiracies. Spy-Tech observation is ubiquitous, no one knows who really watching them not even the watchers. Some convincing well choreographed fights and flash backs to the young Jenny on her first mission. Family loyalty as well as betrayal and infighting is important to the spies and assassins across agencies and secret societies. An enjoyable twist on the female assassin trope with quite a few plot twists and surprises. Created and Written by Adam Glass, Directed by Ami Canaan Mann and Birgitte Stærmose. Eight episodes on Netflix. 8/10.
Could have been an 8
doug2go21 February 2022
This Netflix series has almost everything - Action, Science Fiction, Crime drama , Thriller - good acting and tantalizing dialog - why not an 8 instead of a 6 - the missing piece is realistic nudity ( not erotic ) , but just realistic - this show had the promise of something special and with each episode it seemed to be trying for a TV 14 rating and syndication on CBS after NCIS - the only reason that won't happen and why the UK rated it a 15 instead of a 12 was a few F words and suggestive dialog . I watch America TV where women take showers in their Bra , sleep in them and make love in their underwear and nobody swears - I expect more realism from Netflix and that is why this is a 6 in my book. The teenage side bar was distracting and unnecessary - The flash backs were also distracting but necessary - we got to know who Jenny was and why without devoting a whole episode to it. If you like American sanitized TV - enjoy.
Extremely poor writing
lovettstough28 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This just came out today and I've watched it. It is terrible. Extremely poor writing. She could've easily killed Chauncey right away as he and his people are no match for her. It's description says it's supposed to be about her past life as a Russian spy exposed and she has a daughter. It would've been so much better if she had just killed Chauncey and anymore of his people that came after her and she protect her daughter. This show is not entertaining at all.
Underated Spy Thriller
Kenjislamberry1 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It starts off a bit slow in the first two episodes than gets better. The acting was pretty good. Though at times it got a bit cringey especially with the daughter . The writing for Jenny's daughter could have been better. The characters Chris and Chauncey were done well. Cillian O'Sullivan is believable as a hardass disgraced cia agent. Charles Brice is funny as tech guy of the team . Margarita Levieva is badass as Jenny Franklin / Anya Petrova. The fight scenes were cool but could be better . I wish the fight scenes were longer . With Margarita's background as a gymnast they could have done more for the fight scenes. I like scifi twist with Anya's power . It was interesting . I enjoyed the show . I hope there is a season 2 i want to see more of Anya's past . This show has a lot potential . There is a lot of story they can tell with Anya / Jenny . I hope there is a season 2.
Was excited to watch the show boy was I disappointed
eprusulis28 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I was so excited to watch this couldn't wait man was it a disappointment I might because it's just one of my pet peeves when Scripts are written and then didn't not explain things fully so you don't understand why am so for example for the show after 20 years they decide to capture this spy and the CIA decides they want her to work for them her work for them she's been retired for 20 years so it's not like it's only a mission she could do. Do you think they would just use a agent at the house who's been with all the new training and whatever so but they don't explain why they need her. They don't explain because you figure after 20 years they would be a lot of her charges might anything be able to be charged against her . They don't have a time to have her train training to get the rust off and to get into a like shape they throw a right into a mission with you if you think about it I don't care how good of an agent you are but if all the sudden you 20 years later after you've been like a single mother and you know your muscles have lost their memory of how to do certain things you're not is in your endurance is in higher anymore you're strange in agility are way down and that's another thing that didn't make sense about the show LA they don't explain any of this they don't you know they could've even done something as simple as two months later get out and then that's when she goes on the mission after training. Cillian O'Sullivan's acting was terrible awful the rest of the actors were pretty good his acting was awful in this I mean so bad that it's almost like he's reading off of a card when he saying his lines.
rehashed cliched cliche of an overused cliched cliche...with body morphing!
ronan7328 January 2022
Trying to be long kiss goodnight and atomic blonde...and then they threw in some body morphing when they realised how bad it was...thats what I think anyway. A bit of a mess.
Every character is also an over used cliché..the calm under pressure white cia boss who mistreats everyone,yawn! ..the "cool" black hacker who loves and fears his mom and is always there with the help with overused cliched comments " I make this look cool or cracker white man white ass white man this and that etc" , yawn!.. The snotty hard done by daughter who can never see the obvious right in front of her, Yawn!! And Finally the embattled female lead...if you have netflix then you have seen this type of character over used way too much recently..I get it, women can fight too, yawn!. I honestly know because my training partner was a female and a bad ass b!tch..but she still could not throw around a 17 st door man with martial arts background..I can suspend disbelief but at least try and make them look/behave like a bad ass or some kind of reality. The film Nobody does this well. His fight scenes involve lots of weapons and fight knowledge and he gets his arse handed too him..a lot. That is more believable without taking away from the character..but shes a woman so we cant show that.. All the other characters are even worse..way worse.
Then the story..oh my gosh, talk about spoon feeding...try and get through the first two episodes, thats as far as I could get. This was probably made for those who cant play chess...or do jigsaws.lol. Not only show you everything but tell you everything as it happens like a running commentary. Its very annoying.
Every character is also an over used cliché..the calm under pressure white cia boss who mistreats everyone,yawn! ..the "cool" black hacker who loves and fears his mom and is always there with the help with overused cliched comments " I make this look cool or cracker white man white ass white man this and that etc" , yawn!.. The snotty hard done by daughter who can never see the obvious right in front of her, Yawn!! And Finally the embattled female lead...if you have netflix then you have seen this type of character over used way too much recently..I get it, women can fight too, yawn!. I honestly know because my training partner was a female and a bad ass b!tch..but she still could not throw around a 17 st door man with martial arts background..I can suspend disbelief but at least try and make them look/behave like a bad ass or some kind of reality. The film Nobody does this well. His fight scenes involve lots of weapons and fight knowledge and he gets his arse handed too him..a lot. That is more believable without taking away from the character..but shes a woman so we cant show that.. All the other characters are even worse..way worse.
Then the story..oh my gosh, talk about spoon feeding...try and get through the first two episodes, thats as far as I could get. This was probably made for those who cant play chess...or do jigsaws.lol. Not only show you everything but tell you everything as it happens like a running commentary. Its very annoying.
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