The 355

Universal Pictures | Release Date: January 7, 2022

4.1	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 111 Ratings

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KellybrownJan 24, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. An amazing movie. Had to watch twice coz one time wasnt enough. I really wish to see sequel for this movie. It definitely able to defeat Mission Impossible series and James Bond series if it given a chance. If Jessica Chastain read this, please produce a sequel!!!!… Expand

7 of 9 users found this helpful72

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MarkHReviewsJan 12, 2022

At the 2015 Critics Choice Awards, Jessica Chastain offered an impassioned speech about the lack of roles for women in Hollywood. Deciding to put her money where her mouth is, Chastain founded Freckle Films (see what she did there?!). “TheAt the 2015 Critics Choice Awards, Jessica Chastain offered an impassioned speech about the lack of roles for women in Hollywood. Deciding to put her money where her mouth is, Chastain founded Freckle Films (see what she did there?!). “The 355” is the first film released by her production company.

At many levels, it would be gratifying to be able to describe this initial effort as an unqualified success. After all, when the cast includes Chastain (as CIA agent Mace), Diane Kruger (“Inglourious Basterds,” TV’s “The Bridge”), Lupito Nyong’o (Oscar for “12 Years a Slave”) and Penelope Cruz (Oscar for “Vicky Christina Barcelona”) as sisters in arms, they could probably draw a crowd by reading random entries from a cook book. Unfortunately, the script for “The 355” is a half-baked recipe for tedium. Chastain, Kruger and Nyong’o - agents of the CIA, Germany’s BND intelligence service and Britain’s MI-6, respectively - band together to save the world from imminent disaster. Penelope Cruz – a spy therapist – goes along to provide psychological support. They all come together because a Colombian miscreant has created a computer drive that can backdoor any encrypted device in the world (gasp!). What if this tool falls into the wrong hands? And so on…

The action sequences and general derring-do are quite serviceable (particularly when compared to Roger Moore’s arthritic James Bond). Like so many spy thrillers, the script relies a little too heavily on implausible plot twists. And here, Act I is quite slow to establish the main characters and their interrelationship. At points, some of the clichés invoked are oppressive: “We can do this the easy way or the hard way” could apply both to the agents’ captive and, unfortunately, to the captive audience for this caper. (Spoiler: the scriptwriters chose the hard way.)

The conclusion suggests that this film clearly hopes to start a franchise. I hope so, too. The core actors are wonderful. The bending of gender stereotypes has real potential (being a female spy who has to call in each evening to check on the kids is just great fun). Future installments would benefit from a more thoughtful script, a seasoned action-film director and a little less self-seriousness. Take a look at Ana de Armas’ role in “No Time To Die” – she’s self-deprecating, believable and clearly having a great time – then go and do thou likewise.

Bottom line: Do we need more female-oriented thrillers where the heroines, like Ginger Rogers, do everything the men can do but “backwards and in high heels?” Yes, please!… Expand

10 of 15 users found this helpful105

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Jonathan_M_2Jan 11, 2022

I expected a spy action thriller and got a spy action thriller. It was neither revolutionary or terrible; it was good. If one wants to watch a new, good spy action thriller then this is that.

8 of 13 users found this helpful85

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ZahmeJan 10, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I watched this film knowing one of my favourite actors was in it. I loved the cast and loved their acting and performance. A very good action film… Expand

8 of 14 users found this helpful86

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AquaticDegree75Jan 15, 2022

I thought it was amazing jessica and sebastian had such amazing chemistry i would love to see them work together again. Casting was amazing, fight scenes great very happy

9 of 16 users found this helpful97

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justmovietrollFeb 3, 2022

Great film. It's hard to see movies where women perform in James Bond types of action movies as the main character instead of just being either a side character, or the main character's wife or assistant. "The 355" marks as a rare type ofGreat film. It's hard to see movies where women perform in James Bond types of action movies as the main character instead of just being either a side character, or the main character's wife or assistant. "The 355" marks as a rare type of cinematic actioner because of that. It has an easy-to-follow story, great voice acting, and a diverse list of them (british, chinese, german, and latin).… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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