Watch Hijack

At its heart, "Hijack" introduces us to Sam, brought to life by Idris Elba, who commands not just the screen but also the intricacies of this multifaceted production. Sam is a corporate master of diplomacy, adept at steering the tumultuous waves of negotiation. Our story opens with him aboard a flight departing from Dubai, destined for London—a seemingly routine journey that spirals into chaos as a cadre of armed assailants wrests control of the plane. This gripping premise, created by the brilliant minds of Kay and director Jim Field Smith, provides the canvas upon which this taut narrative unfolds.

Time becomes an active character, and the audience's pulse syncs with its relentless rhythm. Spanning the confines of a mere seven-hour flight, the story operates in real-time, mirroring the life-or-death urgency of the situation. As the pendulum swings between the aerial battleground and the feverish strategizing on the terra firma, tension mounts to an almost unbearable crescendo. Inhabitants of both realms—ranging from law enforcement, vigilant air traffic controllers, to the corridors of political power—engage in a high-stakes dance, each desperate to outmaneuver impending disaster.

Central to the tale's momentum is Sam, who metamorphoses into an unlikely yet fiercely capable leader. Armed with a nuanced understanding of human psychology and a calm, calculated demeanor, he harnesses his negotiation skills to unprecedented ends. In an eloquent display of rationality, he approaches one of the hijackers, elucidating his motive as a quest for a collective salvation. Sam's quiet charisma becomes the fulcrum around which the story pivots, injecting a refreshing dose of humanity into the chaos. Elba's commanding portrayal blurs the boundaries between fiction and reality, inviting viewers to root for a character whose resolve resonates long after the credits roll.

Beyond Sam's individual evolution, the aircraft becomes a crucible, housing an eclectic ensemble of passengers. This motley crew transcends boundaries—economic, generational, and ethnic—standing as a microcosm of society at large. Rich and poor, young and old, diverse ethnicities intermingle, unearthing the shared humanity that binds them amidst adversity. Theirs is an accidental alliance, a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness that often remains obscured in the daily hustle. Stranded with each other for the next seven hours, these individuals, drawn from various walks of life, become both an exploration of societal dynamics and a metaphor for the fragility of existence.

Hijack is a series that ran for 1 seasons (7 episodes) between June 28, 2023 and on Apple TV+