The 355 (2022)

With a powerhouse cast of international female talent and a premise rooted in global espionage, The 355 had the makings of a bold, genre-defying spy thriller. Directed and co-written by Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Dark Phoenix), the film brings together operatives from across the globe to stop a deadly cyber weapon from falling into the wrong hands. But while it delivers plenty of action and style, The 355 struggles under the weight of clichés, uneven pacing, and underdeveloped character arcs.

The story kicks off with CIA agent Mace Brown (played by Jessica Chastain) forced to go rogue after a mission goes sideways. To recover a top-secret digital device capable of disrupting any system in the world, she joins forces with other elite agents: Khadijah (Lupita Nyong’o), a tech-savvy MI6 operative; Graciela (Penélope Cruz), a Colombian psychologist reluctantly pulled into the mission; Marie (Diane Kruger), a tough-as-nails German agent; and eventually, Lin Mi Sheng (Fan Bingbing), a mysterious Chinese operative with her own agenda.

Together, these women form an unlikely alliance—named "355" in honor of a mysterious female spy from the American Revolution. What follows is a globe-trotting adventure through Paris, Morocco, Shanghai, and Washington, D.C., involving shootouts, double-crosses, and high-tech espionage.

The ensemble cast is undeniably impressive. Jessica Chastain leads with fierce determination, while Diane Kruger shines with physical grit and intensity. Lupita Nyong’o brings warmth and intelligence, and Penélope Cruz serves as the emotional core. Fan Bingbing, though underused, adds intrigue and balance to the team dynamic.

Unfortunately, The 355 often squanders its talent. The script, while functional, is filled with familiar spy-thriller tropes and lacks the sharp dialogue or plot twists expected of modern espionage cinema. Characters are rarely given room to breathe, with emotional moments feeling rushed or unearned. The stakes, despite being globally catastrophic on paper, often feel oddly small due to a lack of urgency in storytelling.

The action sequences are slick and competently choreographed, though nothing groundbreaking. There are some standout moments—especially a foot chase through Marrakesh and a tense Paris alleyway fight—but the film never quite matches the intensity or innovation of genre standouts like Mission: Impossible or Atomic Blonde.

Visually, the film is polished, with vibrant international backdrops and sleek production design. The soundtrack is energetic, and the costumes—especially during a gala infiltration scene—are glamorous and spy-movie worthy.

Where The 355 does deserve credit is in its attempt to center women in a traditionally male-dominated genre, not just as action heroes, but as complex agents navigating loyalty, trauma, and trust. However, the film ultimately plays it too safe, falling into familiar patterns instead of fully embracing its potential to be something truly fresh.

The 355 has all the right ingredients—an A-list cast, stylish action, and a timely concept—but never quite rises above its formulaic execution. Though entertaining in parts and admirable in its goals, it misses the opportunity to redefine the spy thriller with the boldness it promised.