Parents' Guide to The Agency

TV Showtime Action 2024
The Agency TV Show Poster Image: Actors Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Richard Gere share a split screen.

Common Sense Media Review

Polly Conway By Polly Conway , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 14+

Language, sex in stylish but snoozy spy thriller.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 14+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

CIA agent Martian (Michael Fassbender) has just been pulled out of a six-year undercover mission in Addis Ababa. He wasn't happy to leave his girlfriend, acclaimed professor Sami Zahir (Jodie Smith-Turner), behind. At the same time, a fellow operative disappears in Belarus after last being seen drunk, which is unusual because he's a long-sober alcoholic. The big shots at the CIA's London headquarters, who include Henry (Richard Wright) and Bosko (Richard Gere), are worried. Martian finds himself challenged by the spy life's constraints, and sneaks away to see Zahir, who also happens to be in London. Will this indiscretion lead to further subterfuge? How is Russia involved? And how much does THE AGENCY know?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say : Not yet rated

This solid but somewhat lifeless spy thriller plays by the rules, even when its characters don't. The Agency isn't bad, but with such a powerhouse cast, it's surprisingly standard-issue. Its most electric scenes are between Fassbender and the radiant Smith-Turner; otherwise, it feels a lot like something we've seen before.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the life of an undercover spy. What are some of the sacrifices they have to make? How does Martian deal with it?

  • How do spies serve their countries? Do you think this is a fair way to maintain national security? Why or why not?

TV Details

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The Agency TV Show Poster Image: Actors Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Richard Gere share a split screen.

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