Mr. & Mrs. Smith review: A heartfelt, surprising spy thriller

Mr. & Mrs. Smith’s most appealing thrills aren’t found in its gun-toting action scenes, high-octane chases in stunning locales, or undercover spying. No, in Prime Video’s new drama, which premieres February 2, the true adventure lies in the dissection of a nuanced, somewhat cursed relationship. Against all odds, Mr. & Mrs. Smith works because of this. Despite a measured start and a bunch of predictable twists, the story clicks into place as the show slowly but endearingly builds on its strengths over eight episodes.

One of its biggest assets is how it shares nothing more than the name of Doug Liman’s 2005 film, led by Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie. The show is a totally and tonally different type of emotional beast that gradually creeps up on you. Here, the central couple isn’t in the midst of a drab marriage before finding out they’re competing contract killers and now must eliminate each other. Instead, John (Donald Glover) and Jane (Maya Erskine) are paired up by a mysterious agency to play a fake couple whose relationship turns scarily genuine. They go from strangers to people who lovingly build a life together while juggling unbelievably challenging job demands. Everything is layered in truth, whether it’s an awkward first meeting, honest conversations, irresistible lust, or the kind of heart-puncturing fights that only happen when you know a person inside out.

If that sounds surprisingly normal, that’s because it is. Mr. & Mrs. Smith’s primary goal is to let audiences know John and Jane aren’t a version of James Bond; they’re regular folks. They could be anybody—so much so that, while running around New York City after an assignment goes awry, they complain about blisters and keep stopping to catch their breaths.

The catch, obviously, is that their professional hurdles aren’t relatable at all. Most people (let’s hope) aren’t spending time hiding a dead body, hacking someone with an axe, or using a honeymoon in the snowy mountains to follow a high-value target. Those aspects are both expected and entertaining to a degree, although they move along at an uneven pace. There’s a lack of urgency in John and Jane’s tasks, and that’s because Mr. & Mrs. Smith isn’t devoted to making them feel extraordinary. It’s simply a part of the basic genre package.

However, here’s where the show excels: The espionage is used as a biting tool to examine John and Jane’s feelings, insecurities, trigger points, and backstories. Each installment zeroes in on a different operation, often featuring notable guest stars, and crucially informs a relationship milestone like their first kiss, their first “I love you,” going on double dates, talking about children, fights over secrets, and discussing infidelity.

The second half especially feels rooted in reality. And that’s what makes M&MS successful, even if it pales compared to other dramas of this ilk, like The Americans. The performances are equally raw, and the credit goes to the lead duo. Glover and Erskine leave no stone unturned to enliven John and Jane’s internal and external dilemmas—and their sexy chemistry. Their exceptional comedic talent has been on display with hits like Community and Pen15. A weighty script like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, even if it’s bumpy, gives them a lot of dramatic wiggle room. Erskine is a marvel, going from playing her teenage self in that aforementioned Hulu series to a total force of nature here. She’s the star, through and through. As for Glover, who co-created the show with Atlanta’s Francesca Sloane, the project allows him work with heartfelt sensibilities, just like he did in that FX gem.

It’s not all glorious, though. Mr. & Mrs. Smith is inconsistent in its first half. The banter between Jane and John initially feels rushed, whereas the missions are hasty and confusing (especially in episode two, which features a kooky, fun turn by John Turturro). The show requires patience because M&MS doesn’t blend those spy and romance angles effortlessly, and it takes a while to make their dynamic both believable and gut-wrenching. Once that happens, though, it’s easy to get immersed in their world and forgive the early mistakes. (It’s to the show’s benefit that all episodes drop on the same day.)

As a bonus, the show is chock-full of cameos, including Parker Posey, Wagner Moura, Michaela Coel, Alexander Skarsgård, Paul Dano, Ron Perlman, and Sarah Paulson, who plays John and Jane’s therapist in an episode smartly framed around their sessions. It’s creative choices like this that help the series land and go against any expectations you might have from the 2005 film that inspired it. Mr. & Mrs. Smith doesn’t always embrace its strengths, but when it does, it’s perfectly effective.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith premieres February 2 on Prime Video