The 355 Review: A Forgettable Spy Thriller Stuck in the Past

Introduction

The anticipation for The 355 was palpable, promising an all-star female ensemble diving headfirst into a high-stakes espionage thriller. With a cast boasting names like Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong'o, Penélope Cruz, and Diane Kruger, audiences were geared up for a fresh, thrilling take on the spy genre. The premise itself—a global team of spies uniting to retrieve a dangerous cyber-terrorist device—sounded like a recipe for success. Yet, despite this formidable lineup, the film struggles to rise above "just okay," leaving a lingering sense of missed opportunity.

The Lead Dynamic & The Action

The film's greatest asset is undoubtedly its cast, and there are moments where their collective talent shines through. The tension among the actors, especially when navigating the treacherous world of espionage where trust is a luxury, is genuinely compelling. Lupita Nyong'o, in particular, delivers a standout performance, anchoring several scenes with her gravitas. Refreshingly, The 355 avoids the modern pitfall of shoehorning in unnecessary jokes, allowing the serious stakes to breathe without comedic interruptions.

However, when the action kicks in, the film often stumbles. While the final shootout offers some "pretty sweet" moments, it's frequently undermined by an overreliance on shaky cam and frantic editing. Simple actions, like picking up a gun and firing, are chopped into a dizzying array of angles, making it difficult to discern the choreography. It's a frustrating choice that feels out of step with contemporary action filmmaking, leaving viewers yearning for the clear, impactful framing seen in films like "John Wick."

Cameos, Nostalgia & Narrative Stakes

Perhaps the biggest hurdle The 355 faces is its pervasive feeling of being two decades behind the curve. It plays like a cinematic aggregate, as if someone in the early 2000s envisioned a blend of "Jason Bourne" action, "Mission: Impossible" settings, and "Ocean's Eleven" flair. Had this film arrived alongside those influences, it might have felt groundbreaking. In 2022, however, it feels like a latecomer to a party that ended years ago.

This dated sensibility extends to the plot twists, which, for seasoned viewers, are anything but surprising. What might have been a mind-blowing reveal in 1987 now feels utterly predictable, a rehash of tropes seen countless times before, diminishing the overall impact of the espionage game.

Tone, Direction & Creative Freedom

Simon Kinberg directs a film that, for all its flaws, maintains a consistent tone. The decision to forgo forced humor is a commendable one, allowing the film to lean into its thriller elements without distraction. Yet, the overall direction often feels constrained by its own adherence to past genre conventions. The pacing, too, can be an issue; a two-hour runtime often feels longer, with moments that drag, leading to a sense of exhaustion rather than exhilaration. It's a film that struggles with time management, making its claim on a twelfth of a viewer's day feel like a significant ask.

The Final Verdict

The 355 is, ultimately, a film that exists. It's "fine," it's "okay," but in a landscape rich with innovative spy thrillers and heist movies, "fine" simply isn't enough. Despite its impressive cast and a few moments of genuine tension, the film is largely forgettable, destined to be an entry on a year-end list that prompts the question, "Wait, what were we talking about?" It's a movie that would have found its stride in 2003, but in 2022, it's merely a passable diversion that quickly fades from memory.