Written Nynoshka Vasquez Suazo
Noah Centineo, known for his role as Peter Kavinsky in the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy, puts on his multifaceted hat as he stars and executive produces the new Netflix original series The Recruit.
The eight-episode series follows a 24-year-old newbie lawyer, Owen Hendricks (Centineo), working for the CIA. During his first week, Owen discovers a legit graymail threat that puts him at the center of a dangerous investigation. In addition to his issues at work he also struggles to balance and maintain his friendships and love life — in all categories he is in way over his head.
From the very beginning of the series each episode is filled with a balance of background context, and action. Owen discovers that the graymail writer is Max Meladze (Laura Haddock). Max is currently in prison for murder, and was a previous CIA asset in Russia; therefore, she has the power to release information on every Eastern European asset. Each episode has at least one flashback scene that gives you a glimpse as to who these characters are and why they are in the position that they are in. The Recruit’s opening sequence is actually a flash forward, as we are given a glimpse of the ending while highlighting the main character.
When we are introduced to Owen he’s taking a piss while singing “I Knew You Were Trouble” by Taylor Swift, a great opening sequence. The soundtrack is a perfect mix of old classics and modern favorites. It also includes various tracks in different languages, which goes perfectly with the many languages that are spoken throughout the film, including Spanish, Mandarin, and Russian. However, it’s not surprising that the money wanting “thugs” were Latinx, but that’s just Hollywood.
Centineo’s performance is one to be noted. His charm and relatability make him fun to watch. He also made an impression by whipping out his language skills, and his shirtless scenes did not disappoint. Vondie Curtis-Hall’s performance is exceptional in the role of Walter Nyland. While he’s the boss, his seriousness is balanced with wit and sarcasm adding a sense of comedic relief. The guest appearance of Angel Parker is also one to be admired, as she adds so much power to the ensemble.
The Recruit’s storyline is one to be admired, as it takes a handful of favorite aspects from mafia films and combines it with the classic and beloved coming of age story. The mix of action, thriller, comedy, and mystery make it attractive to various audiences. However, it is not without its flaws. The use of modern slang felt awkward and out of place. The random moments of nudity were uncomfortable and the intimacy between Owen and Hannah (Fival Stewart) at times feels forced — which is disappointing because their love story gives viewers lots of hope. However, Owen’s in office romance with Amelia (Kaylah Xander) is hard to follow as it originally started as a way to sabotage Owen.
Each episode title is an initialism for a phrase used in its respective episode. This tiny detail adds a sense of audience engagement and makes it so the viewers are actively looking for the phrase. It adds to the CIA/classified information aesthetic.
The Recruit has something for every type of viewer. While not perfect, it’s a fun little binge watch. I look forward to seeing how it ends and where the future leads.
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