Black Doves (2024)

The six-part Black Doves is a smooth, light and entertaining spy drama written by Joe Barton (Giri/Haji, The Lazarus Project). We see Keira Nightley as Helen Webb in her first full-fledged series lead role, with the solid Ben Wishaw (This is Going to Hurt, Fargo) at her side as Sam. In an improbably quiet London - in a warm Christmas atmosphere - executive Sam is working on a job for a secret organization: The Black Doves. And that leads to action, chases, settlements and hassle at the Chinese takeaway.

The pace slows down considerably when the obligatory relationship problems of Helen and Sam are shown. For example, Sam has something to look for with his former friend Michael. Will it also be a real Christmas film with these lovebirds? Black Doves is unpretentious entertainment for fans of James Bond, Jack Ryan, Jason Bourne and Kingsman: The Secret Service.

Translated from Dutch · View original

With the subtlety of a claw hammer. In itself, 'Black Doves' knows how to get the most out of immensely charismatic actors like Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw. Their continuous role-playing in which civilian desires and life-threatening situations become intertwined. Constantly switching between those different personas, even to the point that Helen and Sam start to doubt who they really are. But their inner quest never becomes truly original or innovative. 'Black Doves' still opts for sentimental clichés and predictable conflicts of loyalty too often. Even the answer to Jason's murder has already been seen in so many different forms. It also doesn't help that the hyper-violent comic book violence feels out of place in a series that actually thrives on the characters. I enjoyed watching it, but little of it has stuck with me.

Translated from Dutch · View original