All cinema lovers know that there is only one character in the history of movies that can be identified by the way he likes his cocktails — ‘Shaken, not stirred.’ The main character of one of the longest and most profitable movie franchises, James Bond, the famous 007, has dominated the spy genre. However, recent years have seen some very different spies portrayed in movies, from Charlize Theron in Atomic Blonde to even Taron Egerton and the eccentric cast of the Kingsman franchise; these secretive agents may be different, but their adventures are always entertaining.
The Apple TV+ series Slow Horses is a spy tale that is not quite what one would expect from a group of MI5 agents. Following the books by British author Mick Herron, the viewer is transported to Slough House, a place where agents who are not very good at their job are sent to do useless work. With a great cast and written mainly by English comedian and writer Will Smith (who has won Emmy Awards for his work on Veep), the series is a new depiction of spies in our current society. It is not the first time that the iconic Gary Oldman has played a decanted spy: 11 years ago, he did it perfectly in the movie Tinker Soldier Spy. The actor has been highly praised for his performance in Slow Horses, and for good reason.
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After an agent in training, River Cartwright (Jack Lowden), makes a deadly mistake and places a lot of people in danger, he is sent to Slough House to work under the command of Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman). When it is announced that an extreme-right wing political group is holding a person hostage and will live stream his decapitation in the morning, River cannot stand still and go through pointless activities such as looking at a journalist’s garbage (quite literally). The Slough House agents are more involved in the kidnapping than they would have thought.
Slow Horses has been renewed for a second season; before then, here is why anyone who likes complex and compelling spy stories should watch the show.
Gary Oldman is a Different Kind of Spy
Apple TV+
Spy stories, especially movies, have been adored around the world for decades. There is a certain charm associated with leading a double life and saving the country every other day. This leads very austere types of characters to be related to this profession. There is almost always the same association between these characters: they are good at their job. Except in Slow Horses, not so much.
Following what their boss calls ‘MI5 fu*king useless,’ this show is not about the greatest, but rather the ones that messed up. The invigorating premise combined with impeccable writing makes the show entertaining and innovates the genre. There is a relatable element that makes the story so enjoyable; even when the scenes are so tense the viewer can barely breathe, it’s entertaining watching the characters struggle to complete their jobs.
Contemporary Issues in Slow Horses
Many famous spy stories are set in the past, especially during the Cold War and elements of World War II. However, Slow Horses is contemporary and flirts with very current problems: racism and extreme political groups. The main case the slow horse spies are trying to solve is to save an English-Pakistani comedian that is kidnapped by an extreme-right wing group. They broadcasted the kidnapping online and has given the agency a few hours until they will behead him to make a statement. Extreme political groups that act in the name of their convictions to do violent acts have become more popular over the last few years around the world.
The source material of Mick Herron’s book is closely followed, which surprised many fans since that is not what always happens with book to film adaptations. Surprisingly, six episodes almost felt too short, given the complexity of the case and all the serious topics discussed. Fortunately (and surprisingly), Slow Horses has already been renewed for a third and fourth season.
Slow Horses Has the Best Parts of Spy Stories
Even though Slow Horses diverges from a few elements that are usually seen in these types of movies, it still has various exceptional factors that everyone loves about spy movies. One of them is an incredible action sequence which opens the show, and of course, that’s when the audience meets the protagonist, River Cartwright. An airport chase goes wrong when the suspect that has a bomb is wrongly identified, and the series cleverly introduces River with his own failures.
The plot twists start from the get-go, and they keep coming in almost every episode of the first season. Nothing is what it seems in the best possible way, utilizing visually stunning camerawork and exciting editing to persuade the audience to make certain assumptions when they are the opposite of what’s happening.
Even in the most serious spy movies, there are a few funny moments to break the tension of both characters and the audience. Because things are so high stakes all the time, it can become quite intense to watch this thriller unfold. Nevertheless, there are some funny moments present in the show, mostly coming from Lamb’s character.
Slow Horses innovates enough to be interesting and keep the viewer hooked while still paying homage to classic elements of spy stories. The season is over, and so is the case they were investigating, but there is more than meets the surface regarding these fascinating characters. And season two will be the perfect way of expanding them.
