XPLORER'S ARCHIVE: Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2024)

Christopher Roche
May 23
8 min read

Updated: May 25

Introduction

There's an undeniable sense of style to 2024's adaptation of Mr and Mrs. Smith. It's a fresh take on the spy vs. spy love story. Maya Erksine and Donald Glover step into the titular roles of John and Jane. The Amazon hit revitalizes the iconic couple using sharp humor, explosive chemistry, and plenty of firepower.

Created by Donald Glover and Francesca Sloane (Atlanta), the show is more than a simple rehash of the 2005 blockbuster movie. This time around, the story dives deeper into the complications and quirks of leading a high-stakes double life while delving deep into the emotional weight involved in living a fake marriage.

Does the show live up to its promise of high-stakes action, spy-fueled thrills, and a dash of emotional storytelling?

Absolutely.

Mission Briefing (the story)

In this reimagined Mr. & Mrs. Smith, the stakes are high—but the marriage is fake. Maya Erskine’s “Jane” and Donald Glover’s “John” are paired up not just as covert operatives, but as husband and wife in an arranged, cover-identity partnership set up by a shadowy organization known only through its anonymous handler: “HiHi.” The couple navigates high-risk missions around the world—all while trying to figure out if their connection is professional, personal… or something dangerously in between.

Unlike the 2005 film that leaned into bombastic action and brash energy, the 2024 series slows things down. It trades explosive set pieces for intimate moments and lets the relationship build in real time. That pacing allows John and Jane’s motivations, insecurities, and pasts to surface gradually, giving the story an emotional complexity that feels both earned and refreshingly modern.

Each episode plays like its own self-contained vignette, anchored by a mission-of-the-week format that ranges from ski chases in the Alps to high-tension jobs in Manhattan. It’s a smart choice—one that lets the series experiment with tone, setting, and stakes while still threading in long-term emotional arcs and narrative tension. There’s continuity, but no filler.

Most impressively, the show balances its genre-blending ambitions without losing control. There’s romance, yes—but it’s never sentimental. The action lands, but it’s grounded and stylish rather than over-the-top. The comedy? Razor-sharp. Whether it’s awkward post-mission dinners or the absurdity of attending couples therapy for a fake marriage, the show constantly surprises with how much heart it sneaks in between gunfire and gadgets.

And while the story evolves slowly, it does evolve, building to a tense and open-ended finale that feels like both a payoff and an invitation. Whether or not there’s a second season, this one proves itself as a bold, fresh mission worth accepting.

Partners in Crime and Chaos (the characters/the cast)

The heart of Mr. & Mrs. Smith isn’t in the shootouts or espionage—it’s in the strange, slow-burning dynamic between its leads. Donald Glover and Maya Erskine bring an uneasy chemistry to the screen that feels more honest than most on-screen romances. Their relationship unfolds with the kind of messy realism that can’t be faked: awkward silences, conflicting emotional needs, and subtle power shifts that play out over candlelit dinners and covert operations alike.

Glover’s John is deeply emotional, earnest, open, and driven by a desire for connection. On the other hand, Erskine's Jane is guarded, strategic, and emotionally compartmentalized. It’s a classic opposites-attract setup, but the show subverts the usual clichés by letting their differences create genuine friction. Their push and pull isn't just romantic tension—it’s a study in how two broken people might try (and sometimes fail) to build something real in a world designed to keep them isolated.

Some of the most compelling scenes come from the quieter episodes: the early missions where they try to feel each other out like chess opponents, or the later, standout couples therapy episode, where a fake marriage is laid bare in the most vulnerable and revealing way. These moments are when both Glover and Erskine really shine, bringing depth and humor to roles that could’ve easily slipped into caricature.

The supporting cast is no less stacked. From Wagner Moura and Michaela Coel to Paul Dano, John Turturro, Parker Posey, Ron Perlman, and Sarah Paulson, each appearance feels less like a cameo and more like a hand-placed character within this surreal spy universe. The characters aren’t just distractions—they’re mirrors and foils that reflect key truths about John and Jane. Ron Perlman’s hardened “Toby” and Sarah Paulson’s disturbingly effective couples therapist are particularly memorable, grounding their episodes in real emotional weight.

Throughout the season, John and Jane evolve—not through dramatic flashbacks or exposition dumps, but through tension-filled dinners, compromised missions, and quiet emotional reckonings. Their growth isn’t linear, and that’s what makes it feel earned. By the finale, you may not be certain where their relationship stands, but you believe in its complexity.

Tradecraft & Tension (Direction, Cinematography, Action)

In Mr. & Mrs. Smith, the action isn't just spectacle—it's strategy. Each sequence feels carefully considered, creative, and tailored to the emotional state of the characters. Rather than relying on the bombastic shootouts of traditional spy thrillers, the show opts for a stylized, almost restrained approach. Action scenes are laced with tension and personality, never overshadowing the story but enhancing it. Even the quieter moments—those long silences between missions—carry a sense of danger, like something’s always just about to explode.

Visually, the show leans into a minimalist aesthetic that makes the drama feel intimate and grounded. The color palette is muted, cool-toned, and deliberate. Long, lingering shots let the tension breathe, especially during emotionally charged conversations that feel so personal, you start to feel like an intruder. It’s a subtle, sharp directorial style that trades flash for feeling—and it works.

Compared to its peers, Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a leaner, more focused operation. Where shows like Killing Eve spiral into increasingly tangled storylines, and others like Reacher stretch a single plot over too many bloated hours, this one stays tight. The mission-of-the-week structure is a tactical advantage—it keeps the pacing fresh, allows for stylistic experimentation, and gives the show room to breathe between high-stakes operations and personal revelations. Never feeling bogged down by the weight of an overstuffed arc, there’s a clear throughline connecting everything.

Episode 6, “Couples Therapy (Naked and Afraid),” stands out. Framed through a series of therapy sessions, it cleverly uses a clip-show format to revisit a string of past missions where John and Jane’s clashing personalities are on full display. What starts as comedic tension escalates into raw emotional conflict, peeling back the layers of their relationship in real time. It’s a masterclass in structure, editing, and character-driven storytelling—all held together by Sarah Paulson’s nuanced turn as a therapist simply trying to make sense of it all.. The episode is funny, painful, revealing, and wildly effective.

The direction throughout the season never tries to overshadow the characters—it amplifies them. In a genre often defined by style over substance, that kind of craft is rare.

Sounds of Spycraft (the soundtrack)

If Mr. & Mrs. Smith feels timeless, that’s partly because of its soundtrack. The series pairs modern storytelling with a bold, unexpected mix of music, blending classic romantic ballads, gritty electronic beats, and orchestral flair to create a soundscape that’s both emotionally resonant and pulse-pounding.

From the opening episodes, it’s clear that music is treated as more than background noise. Needle drops like Patsy Cline’s “You Belong to Me” and Mina’s “Il Cielo in Una Stanza” add a haunting, nostalgic quality to intimate scenes—echoing a love that feels just out of reach. These older tracks ground the series in a dreamlike, almost noir tone, even as the story unfolds in the present day.

On the flip side, action-heavy moments tap into an entirely different energy. Songs like “Tukuntazo” by Tokischa, El Cherry Scom, and Haraca Kiko bring high-octane chaos to chase scenes and standoffs, infusing them with swagger and adrenaline. It’s a genre-jumping approach that somehow works—because every choice feels intentional.

One standout moment? The first trailer’s use of Al Green’s “Love and Happiness.” That single needle drop instantly set the tone: playful, stylish, and deeply layered. It’s rare for a trailer to feel that in sync with the final product, but this one nailed it.

And then there’s David Fleming’s original score. Rather than trying to compete with the soundtrack’s curated selections, his compositions blend right in, mixing orchestral cues with synth textures and spy thriller motifs that feel equal parts James Bond and Mission: Impossible, without ever falling into parody. The result is a sonic landscape that supports the show’s tension, playfulness, and emotional weight without overwhelming it.

In a series where mood matters as much as mission, the music is a key player. It guides the emotional undercurrent while keeping things cool, classic, and unexpected.

The Human Factor (Themes & Emotional Core)

For all its gadgets, disguises, and covert missions, Mr. & Mrs. Smith is, at its core, a story about connection—and how terrifying it can be to let someone truly see you.

Beneath the layers of espionage and satire, the show explores trust, vulnerability, and the fragile dance of intimacy. What starts as a contract marriage between strangers slowly becomes something more complicated: two people unsure if what they’re feeling is part of the mission or something real. Watching John and Jane navigate this confusion is one of the series’ greatest strengths. Their trust builds in fits and starts, earned not through grand gestures but through quiet moments, sharp dialogue, and the slow erosion of their emotional walls.

Even in the middle of shootouts or high-speed chases, the show finds room for vulnerability. Whether it’s in a pause before pulling a trigger or the awkward silence after a failed mission, these in-between beats carry emotional weight. The writers thread these moments with care, revealing character through behavior rather than exposition, and letting emotion seep through the cracks of even the tensest scenes.

It’s in this emotional complexity that the show truly distinguishes itself. The romance doesn’t follow a clean arc—it wavers, stumbles, and threatens to implode. And it’s that unpredictability that makes it feel real. As the season progresses, John and Jane’s relationship both develops and deteriorates, depending on your perspective. The final episode doesn’t offer easy answers or forced resolutions. Instead, it leaves viewers with a question: What happens when love and survival are at odds?

It’s a bold choice. And frankly, it works. Whether this is the end of their story or just the beginning, Mr. & Mrs. Smith succeeds in turning a sleek spy thriller into something far more surprising: an honest portrait of modern relationships disguised in gunpowder and espionage.

Final Debrief (Closing Thoughts & Verdict)

As far as re-imaginings go, Mr. & Mrs. Smith doesn’t just stick the landing—it rewrites the mission entirely. Rather than retreading the glossy explosiveness of the 2005 film, this version chooses intimacy over spectacle, character over chaos. The result? A fresh, emotionally grounded spy series that stands firmly on its own while still tipping its hat to the original.

It’s a show built for those who appreciate slow-burn storytelling, genre mashups, and performances with depth. Fans of Atlanta will feel right at home with the tonal shifts and sharp writing. Spy drama enthusiasts will enjoy the inventive missions and stylish direction. And for those who just want something different—a story that feels personal in a world built on deception—this is it.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024) is a stylish reinvention that blends action, comedy, and emotional nuance with ease. It’s confident, well-crafted, and full of surprises.

No score here—just a wholehearted recommendation. If you’ve made it this far, I hope you check it out. It’s worth your time.