The first thing that came to mind when I saw the title The Night Agent—was this another typical spy thriller? Netflix has been rolling out numerous action-packed espionage dramas, and this latest addition follows suit.
Plot Overview
The Night Agent follows Peter Sutherland, a low-level FBI agent working in the basement of the White House. His job? Monitoring a phone that never rings—until one fateful night, it does. That single call catapults him into a dangerous conspiracy reaching the highest levels of power.
Gabriel Basso takes on the lead role, joined by notable names like DB Woodside and Hong Chau, fresh off an Oscar nomination. The series is rated TV-MA for its intense action, political intrigue, and espionage tropes. It’s reminiscent of shows like Reacher on Amazon Prime and Netflix’s The Recruit starring Noah Centineo. However, while those series bring their own unique charm, The Night Agent struggles to reach the same level of distinction.
A Familiar Spy Thriller Formula
The series heavily leans on familiar tropes: an underestimated agent thrown into a high-stakes conspiracy, relentless assassins, and shocking betrayals. The story kicks off with Peter’s connection to a past terrorist attack, leading many to question his loyalty. When he receives a distress call from Rose, a CEO who witnesses an assassination, his life takes a dramatic turn as he becomes both protector and fugitive.
From there, the show delivers non-stop action—chases, hand-to-hand combat, and assassination attempts at every turn. The tension remains high, and while the plot remains easy to follow, it becomes painfully predictable. For seasoned viewers of espionage thrillers, many of the plot twists will be obvious from the start.
Strengths and Weaknesses
One of The Night Agent’s strengths is its pacing. Each of the ten episodes, running 45-50 minutes, ends on a compelling cliffhanger, ensuring viewers stay engaged. However, the series could have benefited from a tighter eight-episode format or shorter runtime per episode to maintain momentum.
The show’s biggest drawback is its predictability. A major twist—one that the narrative builds toward—felt glaringly obvious early on. While the series keeps the action engaging, it lacks the element of surprise needed to elevate it to the level of Netflix’s best thrillers.
Additionally, the dialogue at times feels overly melodramatic. Characters converse in a way that feels scripted rather than natural, making some exchanges less believable. The realism is further strained by the convenience of certain moments—like assassins inexplicably missing perfect opportunities to eliminate their targets.
Final Verdict
Despite its shortcomings, The Night Agent delivers an entertaining espionage experience. It has all the hallmarks of a solid spy thriller—suspense, action, and political intrigue—though it doesn’t quite break new ground. If you’re looking for an engaging, edge-of-your-seat drama, this is a binge-worthy pick. Just don’t expect groundbreaking storytelling.
Rating: 7/10