TV Review | Alex Rider Season 3 - Future of the Force

“Alex Rider delivers a captivating third season filled with exciting plot twists as Alex tries to uncover the truth about his father and Scorpia poses a new deadly threat. Sofia Helin is perfect as the ruthless antagonist, she owns every scene. And Vicky McClure continues to be a scene stealer as Mrs Jones.”

Alex Rider is back with a third season. This one adapts the fifth novel from author Anthony Horowitz. All eight episodes premiere exclusively on Amazon Freevee on April 5.

FINDING OUT THE TRUTH

Otto Farrant as Alex Rider in *Alex Rider* © 2022 Sony Pictures Television

Season 3 follows two main storylines that are intertwined. The first one follows Alex Rider (Otto Farrant), Kyra Vashenko-Chao (Marli Siu) and Tom Harris (Brenock O’Connor) as they travel to Malta. Season 2 ended with Yassen (Thomas Levin) asking Alex to “find Widow, find Scorpia.” This is exactly what Alex does by going to Malta. He has two objectives – he wants to end Scorpia and he wants answers concerning his father. However, this isn’t an easy mission. And along the way, he discovers that his ties to both the Department and Scorpia run deeper than he thought.

In fact, for Alex this is a season of major revelations. The truth is coming out but it may not be what he thought. There are exciting plot twists, which is exactly what you expect from a spy series. Alex’s journey is also an emotional one because of these reveals. This leads him into the heart of Scorpia with Julia Rothman (Sofia Helin), a high ranking member of the secret organization. She is the perfect antagonist for this season. Indeed, she is ruthless and manipulative but there is also more to her than what it first appears to be. Honestly, it feels like a villain coming out of the James Bond franchise.

There are two seasons behind that lead him to make the choices he makes in season 3. It makes sense. But, some of his choices and reactions are staged in a way that feel too quick. Some of it would have required more time to develop. This is the only disappointment I have with this amazing season.

IMMINENT THREAT

Stephen Dillane as Alan Blunt in *Alex Rider* © 2022 Sony Pictures Television

The second main storyline follows the Department as they are facing a new threat from Scorpia. This threat is Scorpia’s new super weapon – ‘Invisible Sword.’ A deadly weapon that could lead to catastrophic consequences for the United Kingdom. Honestly, the best storyline this season isn’t the one with Alex Rider but it’s this one. This threat has a level of urgency that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. It is also faced paced, everything takes place over a few days. Both Blunt (Stephen Dillane) and Mrs Jones (Vicky McClure) are in a tough spot. They have to deal both with a threat that they have trouble finding and a hostile British government. Undoubtedly, this is peak spy thriller television.

CAST

Vicky McClure as Mrs Jone in *Alex Rider* © 2022 Sony Pictures Television

Furthermore, Otto Farrant continues to shine as Alex Rider. He gives a convincing performance. He was made for this role. Though, the real scene stealers are Sofia Helin and Vicky McClure. I don’t understand why McClure was never hired to star in a James Bond film because she would fit just right in. This season she once again standouts in her role as Mrs Jones. She has an on-screen presence that gets noticed. And Sofia Helin is just perfect to play this ruthless antagonist. When she is on screen, she owns the scene. You definitely have her attention.

VISUALS

(L-R): Kevin McNally as Max Grendel and Sofia Helin as Julia Rothman in *Alex Rider* © 2022 Sony Pictures Television

As usual, this season continues to feature the brilliant opening credits with the song ‘The World Is Mine’ by Samm Henshaw. It has been updated to feature scenery from the new episodes. This series’ opening is one of the best we have seen in the last few years. It feels directly taken out of the great spy films. A series with an opening credits always win some points with me.

Finally, this season sends the characters to Malta, which means it showcases the beautiful scenery of this island. When you have a series set in the real world, it is always better when it goes out and film in the actual places it takes place. There is an added cinematic value to it. And we get some striking shots of Malta there!

VERDICT

Alex Rider delivers a captivating third season filled with exciting plot twists as Alex tries to uncover the truth about his father and Scorpia poses a new deadly threat. Sofia Helin is perfect as the ruthless antagonist, she owns every scene. And Vicky McClure continues to be a scene stealer as Mrs Jones.