Why ‘The Night Manager’ Outshines ‘The Recruit’ with MCU Stars!

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  • ‘The Recruit’ Is a Huge Hit on Netflix
  • John le Carré Remains the Preeminent Spy Storyteller

In a fresh and straightforward rewording: The second season of Netflix’s stylish legal-intelligence series, “The Recruit,” has rapidly climbed to the top of the most-watched rankings since its release on January 30, 2025. The show has received praise for Noah Centineo’s allure as the CIA novice, Owen Hendricks, mastering the craft, but its premise doesn’t offer anything particularly new in the espionage genre. If you’re a fan of spy stories seeking a more authentic and mature portrayal of spycraft and international espionage, consider checking out the BBC One/Amazon Prime Video adaptation of John le Carré’s “The Night Manager.

After a nine-year hiatus, it’s been confirmed that “The Night Manager” will return for a second season on Amazon Prime Video. The original actors, Olivia Colman and Alistair Petrie, are coming back to their roles. With the best spy novel writer ever involved, an exceptional cast, and excellent direction, “The Night Manager” is a thrilling espionage series that seems almost ordinary compared to “The Recruit”.

‘The Recruit’ Is a Huge Hit on Netflix

Alexi Hawley developed the Netflix series, “The Recruit,” which revolves around the life of Owen Hendricks (Centineo), a character in a thrilling spy adventure. In the beginning, Owen joins the CIA and grapples with understanding the agency’s regular functions. As he gradually adjusts to the procedures, Owen finds himself entangled in a significant global conspiracy that implicates Max Meladze (Laura Haddock), a former CIA operative turned mole, who menaces to blackmail him unless he helps secure her release from prison and exonerate her name.

Unlike “The Night Manager”, “The Recruit” doesn’t have a literary basis from a renowned spy genre author. Instead, Hawley developed it independently for Netflix, emphasizing legal jargon, thrilling action/adventure, and Owen’s charming manipulation of different government bodies. Essentially, while “The Recruit” offers a lighter take on espionage, “The Night Manager” is the authentic version.

What Is ‘The Night Manager’ About?

David Farr developed “The Night Manager” for BBC One and Amazon Prime Video, an authentic and captivating spy series based on the 1993 novel by John le Carré. Instead of being focused on legal action or adventure, this six-episode series is more akin to a thrilling espionage tale. The story revolves around Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), a former British soldier who manages the luxurious Nefertiti Hotel in Cairo, Egypt during his off hours. Pine gets drawn into an undercover mission when he’s approached by Angela Burr (Colman), a senior Foreign Officer who wants him to expose the illicit arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie).

The Night Manager demonstrates superior craftsmanship in every aspect, featuring unexpected turns and betrayals, as well as an appreciation for discerning viewers. Consequently, it’s not surprising that the show garnered 11 out of 36 nominations and secured two Primetime Emmys following a captivating narrative spanning just six hours.

In comparison to “The Recruit,” the spycraft and espionage depicted in “The Night Manager” is presented so realistically that it stands out noticeably. For example, while “The Recruit” was predominantly shot in Los Angeles and Canada, despite being set in Europe and the Middle East, “The Night Manager” was filmed on location where the narrative actually takes place, such as Switzerland, London, Morocco, Egypt, Spain, and so forth.

In virtually every aspect you could consider, “The Night Manager” outshines “The Recruit,” and it’s largely due to the exceptional writing of John le Carré. This superiority is evident in various measures, such as Rotten Tomatoes ratings where “The Night Manager” dominates with a score of 91%, whereas “The Recruit” only achieves 80%.

John le Carré Remains the Preeminent Spy Storyteller

Known for his exceptional espionage fiction during the Postwar era, John le Carré drew upon his time working as an MI5 and MI6 agent in the 1950s and 1960s to pen several successful spy novels. One of his most notable works is the third novel, The Spy Who Came in From The Cold, which achieved international acclaim and was later transformed into a highly-rated 1965 film featuring Richard Burton as the British agent Alec Lemas. The narrative also encompassed the recurring le Carré character, master spy George Smiley, who appeared in the critically acclaimed 2011 movie Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Among the additional movie and TV adaptations of John le Carré’s novels are “The Looking Glass War,” “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” “Smiley’s People,” “A Perfect Spy,” “The Russia House,” “The Tailor of Panama,” “The Constant Gardener,” “A Most Wanted Man,” “Our Kind of Traitor,” “The Little Drummer Girl,” and “The Night Manager.” Le Carré, a master of spy fiction, was not just a one-time dabbler in this genre but a definitive voice until his passing in 2020. In one of his last appearances before his death, he made a cameo as a diner patron in the fourth episode of “The Night Manager.

To emphasize how much more skilled, informed, and gifted John le Carré’s writing is compared to the formulaic narrative of “The Recruit”, let’s consider that while le Carré crafted and reshaped the conventions of spy fiction, the authors of “The Recruit” lean more on the charm of Centineo rather than intricate espionage plotting. “The Recruit’s” protagonist, Owen Hendricks, might be likeable, but the moral complexity of Jonathan Pine, as portrayed by Hiddleston in “The Night Manager”, garnered a BAFTA nomination. Moreover, the show itself won a Primetime Emmy for Susanne Bier’s exceptional direction – a seasoned filmmaker (known for “Things We Lost in the Fire” and “Birdbox”) who transitioned seamlessly from films to television without compromising her cinematic credentials.

As a movie enthusiast with a particular interest in espionage, I’d recommend “The Night Manager” over “The Recruit”. If you’re someone who appreciates the nuances of the spy world and are familiar with the tactics like Owen Hendricks, then “The Night Manager” is right up your alley. With Season 2 finally getting underway after a nine-year hiatus since its debut, it’s an excellent time to jump on board this thrilling series. You can catch “The Night Manager” on Prime Video, while “The Recruit” is available for streaming on Netflix.

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2025-02-23 17:02