When it was first announced in 2021 that multi-hyphenate artist Donald Glover (Atlanta) was coming out with a new version of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, the eye-roll reception was to be expected. People love to hate remakes, believing that revisiting previous stories and concepts and approaching them from a different perspective lacks originality. Well, this is Donald Glover, and no one should expect him to simply remake the 2005 Brangelina action rom-com. He told EW, “I hope some people are like, ‘This is better than the original,’ and some people are like, ‘This is far worse.’”
Co-created by Francesca Sloane (Fargo, Atlanta), Prime Video’s eight-episode series reimagines a decidedly more grounded, relatable Jane (Maya Erskine) and John Smith (Glover). The action-packed opening scene may be more along the lines of a spy thriller. But there’s a distinct shift in tone to a sleeker, more corporate setting where we meet the titular spies. Their interviews look like they’re taking place in an episode of Black Mirror, which creates an immediate sense of unease and excitement. The two are strangers to each other, paired by an unknown agency that gives them new identities and a set of wedding rings.
The newlyweds/partners have their unconventional, extremely awkward meet cute in their new home, a beautiful Manhattan brownstone decked out with high-end everything and the best mood lighting. They also now live right next to Paul Dano’s charming character, accurately credited as “Hot Neighbor.” I was immediately invested in this marriage and eager to see how two expert liars open up to a new spouse, or if it is even possible for them to do so. Their relationship is tested as they discover each other’s appealing traits and annoying habits (gross mouth sounds, adorable laughs, etc.).
Both Erskine and Glover have perfected being endearingly weird and awkward characters. With similar senses of humor and fearless vulnerability when it comes to acting, their incredible chemistry and comedic timing are what makes the series compelling from beginning to end. This series allows them to play into their natural comedic talents while providing genuinely dramatic moments and surprisingly intense action scenes. Whether they’re on the streets of New York arguing over how to intercept packages or laying in bed exchanging hilarious observations, Jane and John enjoy a lot of awkward intimacy, which either has you feeling anxious or joining in on their infectious laughter, usually both.
The two share the screen with an impressive roster of guest stars including John Turturro, Parker Posey, Wagner Moura, Michaela Coel, Ron Perlman, Sharon Horgan, Billy Campbell, Alexander Skarsgård, and Eiza González. Whether they’re in multiple episodes or only one scene, the actors all deliver mesmerizing performances as characters varying in eccentricity and threat level.
And as seen in the trailer, the Smiths go see a couples’ therapist played by the wonderfully talented Sarah Paulson. At the center of the series is the growing relationship between Jane and John as colleagues and as a real couple. These scenes remind me of You, Season 3, when Joe and Love go to therapy and have to talk about her “breaking a vase” that was actually her killing someone again.
Speaking of body disposal, a similar incident occurs early on in this series and it’s one of the best scenes. Getting rid of a dead body is usually horrific and messy or presented with slapstick silliness, but Mr. & Mrs. Smith has it both ways, which feels more realistic. Authenticity is consistent throughout the series, especially when it comes to relationships. They experience the good and the bad and go through the usual things that couples have to deal with. They just happen to be figuring it out while they’re surrounded by constant danger.
Glover and Erskine each wrote and starred in semi-autobiographical TV shows, Atlanta and PEN15, respectively, both of which can be just as relatable as they are surreal. And the two get to tap into some of that surrealist comedy here. Real life is often bizarre in general. But their job requires pretending to be other people and surviving life-or-death situations. They’re thrown into intense shootouts and have masked assassins on motorcycles chasing them in beautiful locales around the world. But this isn’t James Bond or even Austin Powers for that matter. John and Jane aren’t the suave spy and femme fatale. The specificity in their personalities — John’s laid back optimism and Jane’s coldness and need for control — feels familiar and relatable.
Fans of Atlanta will recognize the similarities in cinematography — off-center shots, close-ups, voyeuristic ’70s-era horror angles — because Glover shares directing credits with directors and DPs who also worked on his series — Hiro Murai, Christian Sprenger, Amy Seimetz, Stephen Murphy, Cody Jacobs, along with Karena Evans (Dead Ringers). More behind-the-scenes talent includes writers Stephen Glover (Swarm, Atlanta), Adamma and Adanne Ebo (Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul), Carla Ching (Home Before Dark), Yvonne Hana Yi (Raising Dion), and Schuyler Pappas.
For all the skeptics: this isn’t a remake, reboot, or requel; it’s a new story inspired by Donald Glover’s own viewing experience of the 2005 film. There are more differences than similarities, and honestly, if the character names and the series title weren’t Mr. & Mrs. Smith, it probably wouldn’t have been compared to the film at all. It wasn’t created as a race-swapped version, either. (Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge was originally slated to be Jane before exiting because of creative differences).
Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a fun comedy with high-stakes action and realistically imperfect romance. The series subverts the crime thriller and rom-com genres, taking a look at the reality behind the spectacle of espionage, the mundane moments post-mission when all they want to do is take off their shoes, wash off the blood, and watch cartoons. Jane and John don’t calmly walk away from explosions; they faceplant and disorientedly flee the scene.
Between the exceptional writing and direction, composer David Fleming’s (The Last of Us) mix of modern beats and retro doo-wop music, costume designer Madeline Weeks’ (Armageddon Time) stylish fits, and the absolutely stacked cast, Mr. & Mrs. Smith is an undeniable hit that more than deserves another season or five.
Some may feel like the series isn’t something they need but they’ll sure want it.
All eight episodes of Mr. & Mrs. Smith debut February 2, 2024, on Prime Video.
