Owen Hendricks, a CIA lawyer becomes involved in massive international conflicts with dangerous parties after an asset tries to expose her relationship to the agency.Owen Hendricks, a CIA lawyer becomes involved in massive international conflicts with dangerous parties after an asset tries to expose her relationship to the agency.Owen Hendricks, a CIA lawyer becomes involved in massive international conflicts with dangerous parties after an asset tries to expose her relationship to the agency.
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Summary
Reviewers say 'The Recruit' is lauded for its engaging drama, comedy, and mystery, with standout performances, especially from Noah Centineo. The show's fresh spy genre approach, focusing on CIA lawyers, and its blend of action, humor, and character-driven storytelling are celebrated. However, some criticize its predictability, lack of realism, and implausible plot and character development. The writing and dialogue receive mixed reviews, with some finding it clever and others tacky. Despite these issues, many find it entertaining and hope for more seasons.
Featured reviews
This was, simply put, an extremely entertaining series. Episode after episode, you can't imagine where it's going except that the lead character Owen Hendricks, played by Noah Centineo, will get into trouble, more and more trouble and best of all, he'll get everyone else into trouble as well. It doesn't matter that he works for the CIA, he's not CIA material, but he's the only honest to god good person the agency appears to have. He's no Jack Ryan, but he's got more luck than the Michael Connelly character, most of it bad.
The character and how well Centineo plays the part is basically what drives you to watch. He's so endearing, you'll keep calling him names but you can't help to root for him despite the character's poor choices. Why? Because he's a good person who cares for others while he's surrounded in the agency by no one who gives a crap about others. Thankfully he has two friends who care about him and whose best advice is to get the hell out of the CIA. I can think of so many reasons why this is not a typical spy thriller; not typical is key here. How is this entertaining? For the same reason we like ice cream; we just do.
As season ending episodes go, it is not, absolutely not a typical cliffhanger either. By the time the last episode ends, you find yourself so interested in Owen's future you need there to be a season two. You got to have it. A lot of people will be upset at Netflix if there isn't a season two; and I'm one.
The character and how well Centineo plays the part is basically what drives you to watch. He's so endearing, you'll keep calling him names but you can't help to root for him despite the character's poor choices. Why? Because he's a good person who cares for others while he's surrounded in the agency by no one who gives a crap about others. Thankfully he has two friends who care about him and whose best advice is to get the hell out of the CIA. I can think of so many reasons why this is not a typical spy thriller; not typical is key here. How is this entertaining? For the same reason we like ice cream; we just do.
As season ending episodes go, it is not, absolutely not a typical cliffhanger either. By the time the last episode ends, you find yourself so interested in Owen's future you need there to be a season two. You got to have it. A lot of people will be upset at Netflix if there isn't a season two; and I'm one.
Season one was amazing. But season two just makes absolutely no sense. The story is very complicated and the exaggeration is sooooo boring.
I do appreciate a little exaggeration à la James Bond but this was something else. There is no way Owen Hendricks could have survived 20 minutes into the first episode let alone the whole season two. Just takes out the fun of it all!!
Dude makes all the stupid decisions but somehow some way gets away with every single one of them. Keep in mind that he is a lawyer with no field training and no resources but still manages to fight and defeat experienced field agents and military personnel. Ok!
I do appreciate a little exaggeration à la James Bond but this was something else. There is no way Owen Hendricks could have survived 20 minutes into the first episode let alone the whole season two. Just takes out the fun of it all!!
Dude makes all the stupid decisions but somehow some way gets away with every single one of them. Keep in mind that he is a lawyer with no field training and no resources but still manages to fight and defeat experienced field agents and military personnel. Ok!
Some things like the tiny lady with skinny arms throwing high impact punches is extremely, extremely silly, but the comedic tone of this otherwise serious show works very well. In many ways this is a comedy as much as it is a spy genre show.
The plot is interesting enough, and other than a heavy fixation with rap music for the soundtrack, and some silly action sequences as described it's very good and pretty entertaining.
Basic premise is 'fish out of water novice in high tension spy scenarios' but delivered with a bit of wit, and some pretty decent acting.
I recommend this show, with the couple of flaws mentioned in mind of course.
The plot is interesting enough, and other than a heavy fixation with rap music for the soundtrack, and some silly action sequences as described it's very good and pretty entertaining.
Basic premise is 'fish out of water novice in high tension spy scenarios' but delivered with a bit of wit, and some pretty decent acting.
I recommend this show, with the couple of flaws mentioned in mind of course.
Wow. The Recruit was even better than I was hoping for. It follows a new CIA recruit who's a lawyer and before he knows it he's in deeper than he ever thought. He gets caught up in an international political thriller when a former CIA asset threatens to expose her relationship with the agency that will cause major problems for everyone. This is directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Edge of Tomorrow, Mr. And Mrs. Smith, American Made, Swingers, etc) who's an absolute terrific director. He usually does major blockbuster movies so this has to be good for him to do. I'm so glad that this is on Netflix so we don't have to wait a week between episodes. I hate that now. This show is definitely a show to binge. I've liked it so much that I already binged the entire first season in the first weekend it came out! I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who's a fan of political action thrillers.
I saw this highlighted on Netflix and assumed it was another US teen show, but I was so wrong.
The characters really work and it's well written and fast paced so takes you on the journey with effortless ease.
Nothing negative to say as really enjoying this and would recommend giving this a try. Nothing too demanding and easy to follow so sure you will love it.
Laura Haddock is great and sooooo want her to actually be from Belarus as she nails this role.
It does not take itself too seriously and I am finding myself really starting to root for these characters
Not finished the series yet so curious to see where this ends.
Enjoy.
The characters really work and it's well written and fast paced so takes you on the journey with effortless ease.
Nothing negative to say as really enjoying this and would recommend giving this a try. Nothing too demanding and easy to follow so sure you will love it.
Laura Haddock is great and sooooo want her to actually be from Belarus as she nails this role.
It does not take itself too seriously and I am finding myself really starting to root for these characters
Not finished the series yet so curious to see where this ends.
Enjoy.
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Did you know
- TriviaEpisode title acronyms stand for:
Episode 1: "I.N.A.S.I.A.L." - "I'm Not a Spy, I'm a Lawyer" Episode 2: "N.L.T.S.Y.P." - "Never Let Them See You Pucker" Episode 3: "Y.D.E.K.W.Y.D." - "You Don't Even Know What You Do" Episode 4: "I.Y.D.I.A.A.C." - "If You Do It as Anderson Cooper" Episode 5: "T.S.L.A.Y.P." - "That Sounds Like a You Problem" Episode 6: "I.C.I.N.C." - "I'm Clenching, I'm Not Clenching" Episode 7: "I.M.F.T.B.S." - "It's My First Time Being Sexpionaged" Episode 8: "W.T.F.I.O.H." - "Who the F*ck Is Owen Hendricks?"
Each quote is also said in the mentioned episode.
- GoofsThroughout the show, Marine Security Guards are shown wearing dress blues with blood stripes. Problem is, most are below the rank of Corporal. Only Corporals and above are authorized to wear the blood stripes. Also, the width is wrong. NCO's wear 1-1/8" stripes. Officers wear 1-1/2" stripes. Generals wear 2" stripes.
- How many seasons does The Recruit have?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Graymail
- Filming locations
- Montréal, Québec, Canada(Grandé Studios - Pointe St-Charles)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
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