Honestly, nobody really asked for a remake of the 2005 Brangelina flick. It’s one of those "lightning in a bottle" moments where the off-screen chemistry basically did all the heavy lifting for a pretty standard action script. So, when word got out that an Amazon Mr. and Mrs. Smith series was happening, the collective internet eye-roll was almost audible. People expected a glossy, shallow retread. But then Donald Glover and Francesca Sloane actually made it, and—surprise—it’s nothing like the movie. Like, at all.
It's weird.
Instead of two super-spies discovering they are married to the enemy, we get John and Jane: two lonely strangers who sign up for a mysterious spy agency and are assigned to be married. It’s a job. They live in a massive Manhattan townhouse, carry out high-stakes hits, and try to figure out if they actually like each other or if it's just the adrenaline talking. It's basically a show about the mundanity of long-term relationships, just with more C4 and silenced pistols.
The Donald Glover and Maya Erskine Dynamic
The show lives or dies on the chemistry between Glover and Maya Erskine. Initially, Phoebe Waller-Bridge was supposed to play Jane, but she left due to "creative differences." That’s usually code for "this is going to be a disaster," but Erskine stepped in and, frankly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else doing it better. She brings this jittery, guarded energy that perfectly offsets Glover’s more laid-back, "I just want to be loved" vibe.
They aren't "cool" spies. They mess up. They argue about who has to do the dishes while they're literally staking out a target in the Italian Dolomites. It feels real. Well, as real as being an international assassin can feel.
What's fascinating is how the show handles the agency. In the original movie, the agencies were big, corporate entities. Here, the "Hihi" messenger—the nameless, faceless entity that texts them their missions—feels more like a predatory gig economy app than a government branch. It’s Uber for murders. You do a good job, you get a "super high" rating. You fail three times? You’re "terminated." And they don't mean fired.
Breaking Down the "Mission of the Week" Trap
A lot of shows like this fall into a boring rhythm. You know the one.
- Intro.
- The Boss gives a folder.
- They go to a cool city.
- There's a chase.
- They kiss.
- Roll credits.
The Amazon Mr. and Mrs. Smith avoids this by making the missions almost secondary to the emotional beats. In one episode, they have to kidnap a high-value target played by Ron Perlman. But the mission isn't really about the kidnapping; it’s about the fact that Jane wants kids and John isn’t sure. Perlman’s character becomes a weird, geriatric surrogate child they have to lug around, forcing them to confront their domestic fears. It’s clever writing that prioritizes character over explosions.
Actually, the guest stars are kind of insane. You’ve got Paul Dano as the "Hot Neighbor" who may or may not be a spy, John Turturro as a creepy billionaire, and Sarah Paulson as a therapist who specializes in... well, spy couples.
That Other Smith Couple
One of the best episodes features another "John and Jane" played by Wagner Moura and Parker Posey. They are "Super High" level agents. They’ve been doing this for years. They represent the dark future of what our main characters could become: cynical, violent, and totally detached from reality.
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It highlights the central tension: can you actually have a healthy relationship when your entire foundation is built on a lie? The show argues that maybe you can’t. Or maybe, the lie is the only thing keeping them together.
The Ending Everyone Is Obsessed With
If you haven't finished the first season, maybe skip this part. Or don't. I'm not your boss.
The finale is a masterpiece of tension. After a series of "fails," the agency pits John and Jane against each other. It turns into a brutal, heartbreaking "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" style blowout, but with guns. They end up trapped in their panic room, Jane has one bullet left, and a "neighbor" is trying to break in to kill them both.
Then? Blackout.
It’s a massive cliffhanger. Fans spent months arguing about who survived. Amazon eventually confirmed a Season 2, but the catch is that Glover and Erskine might not even be in it. The show is built as an anthology of sorts, or at least a world where "John and Jane" are interchangeable titles. It’s a gutsy move. Most shows would milk that specific couple for five seasons until everyone gets bored. Glover has always been more interested in blowing up the format than playing it safe. Look at Atlanta. That show changed genres every week.
Why Some Fans Hated It
Let's be honest: if you went into this wanting John Wick with a romantic subplot, you probably hated it. It's slow. There are long stretches of just... talking.
Some critics felt the "Hihi" mystery was too vague. We still don't really know who runs the agency or what their endgame is. In 2026, audiences are used to getting all the lore dumped on them in a Wiki-style exposition scene. This show refuses to do that. It keeps you in the dark, just like the characters. That’s frustrating for some, but it adds to the atmosphere of constant, low-level paranoia.
Also, the tone is all over the place. One minute it's a dry comedy, the next it’s a depressing meditation on loneliness, and then suddenly someone’s head explodes. It’s a lot. You have to be in a specific mood for it.
The Production Value is Ridiculous
Amazon clearly dumped a fortune into this. The cinematography is gorgeous. They filmed on location in Lake Como, the Dolomites, and various parts of New York. It doesn't have that "flat" digital look that so many streaming shows have these days. It feels cinematic.
The fashion is also worth mentioning. Jane’s wardrobe is basically a "how-to" guide for effortless Brooklyn chic, while John rocks a lot of high-end knitwear that makes him look more like a creative director than a killer. It’s all part of the "vibe."
Actionable Tips for Watching (or Re-watching)
If you’re diving into the Amazon Mr. and Mrs. Smith universe, there are a few things to keep in mind to actually enjoy the experience:
- Forget the 2005 Movie: Seriously. If you're looking for Brad Pitt's smirk, you're in the wrong place. Treat this as a completely original IP that just happens to share a title.
- Watch the Background: The show is dense with "blink and you'll miss it" details. Pay attention to the background of the townhouse and the messages on the Hihi computer. There are hints about the previous "John and Janes" everywhere.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: The music supervision is top-tier. It uses a mix of eclectic indie and classic tracks that mirror the shifting moods of the episodes.
- Check Out "Atlanta" First: If you aren't familiar with Donald Glover’s storytelling style, watch a few episodes of Atlanta. It’ll help you get used to his surrealist, slightly detached approach to drama.
- Don't Google Season 2 Spoilers: There’s a lot of speculation about the new cast. Just enjoy the ambiguity of the Season 1 ending for a bit. The mystery is the point.
Ultimately, this show is a gamble that paid off. It took a tired brand and turned it into a sophisticated, weird, and deeply human exploration of what it means to be a partner. It’s not always comfortable, and it’s definitely not "fun" in the traditional sense, but it’s probably the most interesting thing on Prime Video right now.
Next time you're scrolling through the endless rows of content, give it a shot. Just don't expect a happy ending. Or a sad one. Expect something complicated. That's usually how the best stories work anyway.
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The real question isn't whether they survive the shootout in the finale. It's whether they would have survived a second year of marriage if the agency hadn't tried to kill them. Honestly? It's a toss-up. Marriage is hard. Being a spy is just the icing on the cake.