It has only 8 episodes and is one of the best adaptations of John Le Carré: a fascinating psychological thriller

After the success of The Infiltrator in 2017 (for which a sequel has recently been announced), the mini-series adaptation of another great novel by John Le Carré, The Little Drummer Girl, directed by one of the most admired directors of this century, Park Chan-Wook (Decision to Leave), made this project one of the most anticipated by fans of the genre, the British author, or the South Korean filmmaker. And its premiere did not disappoint. This co-production between the United Kingdom and the United States featured a luxury cast led by Florence Pugh (Oppenheimer, Dune), Alexander Skarsgård (Big Little Lies, Succession), and Michael Shannon (George & Tammy, Take Shelter), three stars and acting monsters, the talent needed for the screen adaptation of this work.

What’s it about

The story is set in the 70s and follows Charlie, a young Englishwoman with left-wing views who dreams of being an actress. However, her life takes a surprising turn when she begins a relationship during a vacation in Greece with a man who turns out to be an Israeli intelligence agent. This romantic encounter will immerse her in a dangerous conspiracy plot in which she will be involved in a spy game that could be fatal, as she is recruited by this attractive man as part of an elaborate scheme to uncover the whereabouts of Khalil, a Palestinian terrorist responsible for several attacks. The Little Drummer Girl is an addictive spy thriller that portrays a complex and nuanced picture of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. A magnetic work where the lines between reality and fiction, and those that separate good from evil, constantly blur until they disappear.

What the critics said

On Rotten Tomatoes, the miniseries has an approval rating of 95% based on 75 reviews, including that of Judy Berman, TIME's critic, who praised The Little Drummer Girl "for its suspense, for exploring moral dilemmas and the legacy of British foreign policy in the Middle East, and for featuring characters full of nuances on both sides." Troy Patterson from The New Yorker praised the performances of Florence Pugh, Alexander Skarsgård, and Michael Shannon; while Matt Zoller Seitz from Vulture described the series as "a mix of prodigality, intelligence, and good taste, very interesting to think about." Jesse Schedeen from IGN praised Pugh's "fascinating" performance and Park Chan-Wook's solid vision.

Details

• Original title: 'The Little Drummer Girl'
• Where to watch: Max, Movistar Plus+
• Duration: 6 episodes
• Production year: 2018
• Directed by: Park Chan-Wook
• Cast: Michael Shannon, Alexander Skarsgård, Florence Pugh, Michael Moshonov, Simona Brown, Charles Dance

*This article has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence