Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
Updated spy story is understated, smart, and violent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
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Where to Watch
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Mr. & Mrs. Smith
What's the Story?
MR. & MRS. SMITH is a comedy series featuring two spies who have to live and work together as husband and wife. Maya Erskine and Donald Glover play Jane and John Smith, two complete strangers who've given up their lives and identities to work for an unnamed espionage organization. Now tasked with being a legally married couple in an upscale New York townhouse, Jane and John must figure out how to work well together as spies when sent on assignment, and how to be a couple when they're alone. It isn't easy, and it's often awkward, but they have to figure out if they are going to survive on and off the job.
Is It Any Good?
The character-driven action-comedy, which is very loosely inspired by Simon Kinberg's 2005 movie of the same name, offers a stylish and smart story world with some compelling twists. There's lots of understated humor coupled with some traditional espionage-driven action as the new recruits attempt to do their jobs to the best of their ability. Guest appearances made by actors like Paul Dano, John Turturro, Parker Posey, and Sarah Paulson create some amusing scenarios.
Meanwhile, the evolution of Jane and John's relationship inevitably leads to romantic tensions and relationship woes. All of this comes together in an interesting and glossy way as far as TV spy series go, but viewers hoping for the same kind of explosive "Brangelina" excitement and smoldering sexuality portrayed in the original film will find this reenvisioned version of Mr. & Mrs. Smith lacking. Nonetheless, those wanting (or willing) to embrace a well-produced and fun contemporary spy series will find it entertaining.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the challenges producers face when adapting popular movies or TV series for new generations of audiences. What has to happen for a project to be successful?
How does Mr. & Mrs. Smith address the passing of time throughout the series? Why is this important?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 2, 2024
- Cast : Maya Erskine , Donald Glover
- Network : Prime Video
- Genre : Comedy
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Awards : Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : January 15, 2025
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