Why ‘The 355’ Missed the Mark: A Spy Thriller That Failed to Impress
Spy action remains a beloved genre in cinema, and when you have stars like Sebastian Stan, Penélope Cruz, and Jessica Chastain, success should be almost guaranteed. However, ‘The 355’ struggled to draw audiences to theaters. But here’s the good news: you can catch it on TV tonight.
A Promising Start Turned Flop:
At first glance, ‘The 355’ seemed poised for success. Spy action, exemplified by franchises like ‘James Bond’ and ‘Mission: Impossible,’ still commands a significant following in the cinema world. Moreover, director Simon Kinberg (‘X-Men: Dark Phoenix’) assembled an impressive ensemble cast. Despite all these factors, the film performed dismally at the box office, earning a meager $27.8 million against estimated production costs ranging from $40 to $75 million.
Streaming and TV Redemption:
Given the film’s star-studded cast and its potential, it’s surprising how few people ventured to theaters to watch it. Fortunately, for those with subscriptions to streaming platforms like Sky/WOW or Amazon Prime Video, there was an opportunity to enjoy the film from the comfort of home. However, it’s worth noting that ‘The 355’ is no longer included in subscription packages and is available only as an additional paid option. Alternatively, you can catch it on TV tonight as ZDF is airing ‘The 355’ on Monday, October 2, 2023, at 10:15 PM.
A Missed Recommendation:
Unfortunately, we can’t wholeheartedly recommend this spy action thriller. ‘The 355’ not only struggled financially but also fell short creatively.
Clichés and Passable Action: What ‘The 355’ Offers:
In ‘The 355,’ Jessica Chastain portrays Agent Mason Brown, a CIA operative frequently assigned to high-stakes missions. Her latest mission revolves around a group of mercenaries who have obtained a top-secret weapon. Should the operation fail, it could lead to a potential third world war.
Brown doesn’t tackle this mission alone; she assembles a team of seasoned professionals, including computer specialist Khadijah (Lupita Nyong’o), German spy Marie (Diane Kruger), and Colombian psychologist Graciela (Penélope Cruz).
Why ‘The 355’ Failed:
The film, released on January 6, 2022, wasn’t a victim of pandemic-related theater closures, as it arrived before films like ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ which went on to become a billion-dollar hit. Instead, poor word-of-mouth seemed to be the culprit. It quickly became evident that ‘The 355’ didn’t deliver what one would expect from a movie boasting such a high-caliber ensemble.
Critical Reception:
Even our own FILMSTARTS review didn’t paint a rosy picture. It earned just 2 out of 5 stars, with the reviewer, Nikolas Masin, highlighting the “inherent lack of substance in characters and plot.” He labeled it a “passable action film” that grew increasingly tedious towards the end. While the gender-swapping approach was intriguing, the film ultimately fell into the same clichés that have long dominated male-driven spy cinema. The “barely passable action” only partially compensated for these shortcomings. In the end, you might find ‘Red Sparrow’ a more engaging watch.
Despite its potential and star-studded cast, ‘The 355’ failed to make a mark, both at the box office and among critics. While spy action continues to enthrall audiences, this film somehow missed the mark. Whether it was due to the story’s shortcomings or other factors, it remains an underwhelming addition to the genre.