Idris Elba's Hijack (2023) is a highly effective wake-up call that breaks the summer drowsiness. Feeling down in the scorching summer? Don't worry, Idris Elba will wake you up from the hazy state of warm weather.
This beloved actor is the perfect pillar of Apple TV+'s new thriller series Hijack (2023), which is both refreshing and familiar enough to make you feel comfortable. Hijack (2023) is a classic action TV show that revolves around a plane hijacking, a rarity in today's television landscape.
It is a truly eventful series. It features movie stars, gripping plot twists, intense action, and symbolic countdowns. It is a great combination, proving that television can be thrilling.
Idris Elba portrays Sam, a high-level corporate negotiator who is accustomed to achieving the results he wants no matter how much effort it takes. In other words, he is the kind of person you would want to sit next to in first class when a flight from Dubai to London is hijacked by criminals.
The series quickly dives into the story, similar to the first season of the Fox series 24 Season 1 (2001) starring Kiefer Sutherland. At the start of the story, the flight Sam is on is hijacked by a group of impatient British individuals armed with guns. Led by the neurotic Stuart (played by Neil Maskell), the hijackers' intentions are unclear, while Sam tries to gradually regain control of the plane. Meanwhile, the British government slowly realizes the plane has been hijacked and rushes to respond. The government is composed of a group of vaguely defined bureaucrats, with the most important role played by Yachi Pangabi.
Hijack (2023) is a constantly evolving story in terms of action and drama, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Idris Elba is incredibly captivating, which is quite an achievement considering his character is not particularly likable throughout the seven-hour flight (a seven-episode miniseries). He benefits from a well-written script by co-creator George Kay, with scenes alternating between the plane and the ground, providing some relief from the tense atmosphere. However, when it comes to action, violence, and chaos, the series shows no mercy, reaching its peak in terms of storytelling with shocking twists and spine-chilling suspense.
Hijack (2023) is not without its flaws. Sam's ex-wife and son occasionally appear in the story, but they don't have much impact other than helping convey the problems with the flight to the authorities. There are some moments of stupidity, particularly in the government's response to the hijacking, which require significant leaps of logic that can be confusing or downright ridiculous. The hijackers' motivations are absurd, and the revelation of the mastermind behind everything is disappointing.
However, these disappointing moments are scattered amidst tense and genuinely terrifying scenes. When the camera returns to the plane, the audience is enveloped in sweat, claustrophobia, and a tense atmosphere. Every decision could be a matter of life and death. Many series on television today are too long, too serious, too complex, and too boring. Hijack (2023) is neither excessive nor lacking. It jolts you awake from your slumber, breaking the passive attitude towards television viewing. It grabs your attention.