Watch The Sleepers

The Sleepers is a politically charged thriller that takes place in Prague in the mid-1980s, during the Cold War. The show follows the lives of two Czech families who are caught up in a web of espionage and deceit after a botched CIA mission leaves one of their own stranded in Czechoslovakia. Tatiana Pauhofova and Martin Mysicka carry the bulk of the series' emotional power as two of the main characters.

The story opens with Marie, a young mother, and a political activist who was arrested in the late 60s and imprisoned for distributing anti-government leaflets. Marie's husband, Vaclav, is a lawyer and freedom-fighter, fighting against the oppressive Soviet regime. Later, the focus shifts to Jachym, a young CIA agent on a mission to Prague to rescue Marie's brother, Michal, a prominent dissident writer, who has gone missing. Jachym is aided by Anna, an American-Czech translator with her own ties to the dissident movement.

As the story unfolds, the show explores themes of family, loyalty, and betrayal, as well as the anger and hopelessness that permeated society at that time. The Sleepers does a masterful job of capturing the mood of the era, with its distinct fashion, music, and politics. Viewers are taken on a journey through dark alleyways and smoke-filled bars, through covert meetings and clandestine operations, all against the backdrop of a city in turmoil.

The series is beautifully shot and features an understated yet effective score that enhances the tension of various scenes. Pauhofova and Mysicka excel in their roles, bringing depth and nuance to their characters. Pauhofova's Marie is a haunted woman who carries the scars of her imprisonment and who struggles to keep her family together in the face of overwhelming danger. Mysicka's Vaclav is a man on a mission, determined to fight for his beliefs at any cost.

The rest of the cast also delivers fine performances, with Jiri Vyoralek's turn as the sinister and nefarious Karel being a standout. The tension builds steadily throughout the series, with each episode leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.

While The Sleepers is undeniably a slow-burn, it rewards patient viewers with a satisfying emotional payoff. The ending manages to tie up all the loose ends in a satisfying way, yet still leaves room for the story to continue.

Overall, The Sleepers is a gripping and well-crafted thriller that manages to be both a love letter to Prague and a cautionary tale about the dangers of politics and ideology. It's a must-see for fans of Cold War thrillers, the spy genre, or anyone who appreciates a well-told story.

The Sleepers is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between and on HBO