dotdailydose
If you have been scrolling on social media lately, you have probably caught wind of a new Mr. & Mrs. Smith being made. Well, the first season just dropped on Prime Video! Now a series, this version takes inspiration from the original movie starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Co-creators Donald Glover and Francesca Sloane came up with an update to the original messaging and offers a unique take on this marriage between two lethal spies. As the series’ poster hints, this version indeed hits differently, and here are a few reasons why:
1. Engage on Bite-Sized Thrills with Binge-Worthy Length
Just like any movie, the original ran for more or less two hours. The first season of the series, on the other hand, unfolds across eight 45-minute episodes. Francesca Sloane, co-creator of the reimagined series, said “We really wanted to sort of lean into the perspective of the vulnerability of a relationship and kind of follow that in terms of being the antithesis of sort of a Bond-type film in terms of the way
we normally see spies. And so as we were talking about that, that’s when I was like, “Oh, that’s something I can sink my teeth into, that can get really weird. That’s a show that I could definitely do.”
Each installment gives its audience-focused action and interesting character development, allowing space to savor the intricacies of the plot to truly connect with John and Jane. Expect simmering tension, surprising twists, and a microscopic look at the couple’s dynamics and you’ll find yourself constantly wanting “just one more episode.”
2. Marriage: More Action-Packed Than You Think
Co-creator Donald Glover elevates the narrative of the series by giving more than the typical action film and diving deep into the complexities of marriage. Compared to the original movie, watching the new Mr. & Mrs. Smith isn’t just about two assassins trying to outsmart each other. The creators’ vision is to explore “Why do people get married? Why do people partner up? And it’s because it’s just harder to do things alone.” Glover and Sloane’s vision adds emotional depth, making John and Jane more than just spies. We get to see their vulnerability, their fears, and their desires, giving the viewers enough bandwidth to foster empathy which results in a more compelling narrative.
3. Redefining Roles, Exposing Characters
According to Glover, “John really wants to be a hero. He likes being the superhero type. Because he probably saw his dad do that on some level. But also I think he just craves structure.” But as time passes, his facade starts to crumble, slowly revealing vulnerability and self-doubt. Despite all his resistance, he learns to rely on Jane, highlighting that even the seemingly strong characters can admit that things are easier when you have a partner.
Jane is a juxtaposition to John’s character. Maya Erskine who plays Jane reveals, “Jane is someone who has come from a really broken family, a broken background, and is not very trusting of this world. And she’s a person who’s not trusting, entering a partnership that’s fully based on trust. And it’s something that she has to learn and sort of uncover and really become vulnerable and learn to rely on another person, which she hasn’t done her whole life, which I think she gets to at a certain point in this series. And it’s really fun to see her open up in that way.” A few episodes in, Jane slowly evolves, she starts to open up and allows herself to be vulnerable around John – adding a layer of emotional complexity to the story. Their opposing personalities and journeys toward self-discovery are a captivating push-and-pull dynamic that keeps you invested.
4. Witness Female Power Behind the Scenes and On the Screen
With a writing team mostly comprised of females, the Mr. & Mrs. Smith series redefines “hotness” both in narrative and visual storytelling. We are bidding goodbye to the days of thigh-high slits defining female allure. Here, attractiveness is beyond the physical by showing emotional depth, strength, and intelligence. The female gaze of the writers directly challenges conventional tropes, presenting Jane not as objects of desire but as a multifaceted individual with her own agency and power. Just wait for the “hot neighbor” moment and you’ll see what we’re talking about.
5. Letting Love Fuel The Fire…and the Mess
Just like in the original version, John and Jane start spiraling out of control when they realize that feelings are now involved. Sloane as the co-creator reveals the main conflict, “John starts to feel like he is diminished in his role. He feels maybe even emasculated by the fact that Jane is constantly saving his butt. So it’s this notion of, like any relationship, if two people are living together, working together, doing the exact same profession, there’s a competition that starts to come. Then that therefore wears down on the love. Not only that, they start to realize that they want different things.
Jane is really encouraged by sort of living this fast-paced, very exciting life, and John starts admitting to her that he wants a family and that’s something really important to him, just like any relationship except they’re high-risk spies and assassins.
So what does that conversation look like when you want to have children? John starts sort of pulling away. Jane starts sort of spiraling, and we watch these two fall in love to get to a point where they are now at odds. Just like in the film, where they now have to kill each other because they’ve become a liability to the company, things get messy, and it takes us to the end of the season where these two may actually have to take each other out. Will they do it or won’t they? That’s sort of the question by the end of the season.”
It’s bloody, it’s messy, and watching the reprised series will keep you at the edge of your seats, repeatedly asking yourself, “Will they or won’t they?”
With its binge-able format and unique take on modern relationships, the new Mr. & Mrs. Smith is not just an action-packed rehash. So, forget the mindless scrolling and watch as this captivating story of love, betrayal, and espionage unravels – get invested in the journey of John and Jane Smith as they redefine the meaning of partnership in a world of secrets and lies. Watch the first eight episodes, available on Prime Video starting February 2, 2024!
