Better Just Rewatch 'Supernatural': the Long-Awaited New Film with Ackles Failed Miserably — 10 Hours of Boredom Instead of Lively Action
But the showrunners were expecting a franchise.
Jensen Ackles is back in the lead role of the new thriller Countdown, but something went wrong. The “team of special agents against a global threat” format seemed like a winning combination, especially in a genre that hasn’t seen any fresh hits in a while. However, the first reviews have already shown that viewers won’t be in for a thrilling action movie, but a ten-episode boredom.
What is Countdown with Ackles about
The plot seemed to promise action: a Homeland Security officer is killed in broad daylight, and Detective Mark Meacham (Ackles) joins a secret team to solve the murder. But instead of tension, there’s routine. Chases, investigations, interrogations — everything is filmed as if the characters themselves don’t believe in what’s happening. Where is the danger? Where is the threat? There simply isn’t any.
And even Ackles' charisma doesn't help. His character is a stereotypical cop with a traumatic past and minimal internal development. The other characters are on the same level: there are detailed backgrounds, but zero character. After ten hours of watching, the viewer still doesn't know who these people are and why they are here. Plus — not a single bright dialogue, not a single truly strong moment.
Another blow to the series is the political context. The action takes place in Los Angeles, the plot involves immigration, intelligence agencies, terrorism - but Countdown is afraid to somehow comprehend this. The creators seem to be saying:
"We just want sirens flashing in the background, don't make us think."
The ratings are bad
On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has 43% from critics — an indicator close to a verdict for a project of this scale. Visually, the series is not bad, even stylish in places, but behind the facade there is emptiness. Too boring to be a thriller, too pretentious to be a procedural.
The season one finale supposedly sets up something more dramatic. But to get there, you have to wade through ten episodes of completely throwaway content. In an era where competition for viewers' attention is at its highest, Countdown simply can't keep up. It's not the start of a franchise, sadly, but its end before it even begins.
