Hijack takes flight on AppleTV+ today, starring Idris Elba. The seven-episode series chronicles a real-time airline hijacking on a Dubai-to-London flight. As Kingdom 29 prepares for its journey to Heathrow, a group of five passengers seize control of the plane, leaving the ground crew bewildered.
The show, crafted and helmed by George Kay and Jim Field Smith, capitalizes on the star power of Elba, who portrays a first-class traveler possessing exceptional business negotiation skills. He promptly immerses himself in the situation, going beyond what an average rational passenger would do in a real hijacking. However, the remaining ensemble cast matches his intensity, particularly Archie Panjabi, who portrays a counter-terrorism officer striving to gauge the level of danger. The episodes seamlessly alternate between the confined airplane interior and the ground scenes set in Dubai and London. The writers masterfully unveil information at a measured pace, effectively sustaining the suspense.
The total duration of the flight is seven hours, with each episode of the series capturing one hour of the journey. Tension builds throughout the show as Kingdom 29 seems to be heading straight towards central London. The unfolding events depict a series of realistically portrayed moments, such as a group of passengers making a bold decision to confront the hijackers early in the flight. The passengers respond in ways that most of us would probably do in a similar scenario, employing clever tactics to regain control or establish communication with the authorities. With each episode, new revelations about the hijacking emerge, shedding light on the identity of the culprits and their motives.
As the story unfolds, certain aspects remain puzzling, leaving lingering questions even after the final episode concludes. Whether this intentional ambiguity sets the stage for a potential second season remains unclear. A cliff-hanger in the penultimate episode adds an exciting twist, although the finale may have a few inconsistencies. Despite these flaws, Hijack maintains a high level of tension and gripping intensity, frequently keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. While it certainly induces stress, it's unlikely to rival the anxiety of your upcoming summer vacation. Overall, it provides far more entertainment than an actual seven-hour flight.
The first two episodes of Hijack are now available on AppleTV+.
