The Copenhagen Test Review: Simu Liu, Melissa Barrera's Spy Thriller Leaves You Unsure Of Who To Trust

Alexander Hale (Liu) is a first-generation Chinese-American intelligence analyst who is also a veteran sniper. A past mission in Belarus goes wrong, and after that, Alexander is chained to a desk. He works for a watchdog service for American intelligence agencies called The Orphanage and seeks more responsibility. But before that, it comes to light that his brain has been hacked, allowing an unknown enemy to see and hear everything. It is then he decides to become a sort of double agent to trap the person or organisation that has violated him.

Creator Thomas Brandon and his writing team build on Alexander's isolation before and after the hack. The series also surrounds Alexander with a team that may not be 100 per cent reliable and have their own motives. While the political backstories and connections are a bit hazy, the personal stories of certain individuals do manage to connect. The thriller does keep the tension of what's going to happen next palpable. Directors Jet Wilkinson and Kevin Tancharoen also make sure the action sequences in their episodes leave you a bit breathless.

The Copenhagen Test: Performances

Leading his first action thriller series, Simu Liu is the anchor of The Copenhagen Test. As we largely see the show through his character, the actor generates sympathy for his character's plight and drives home his loneliness despite being surrounded by people. The former stuntman is also right on target with the action sequences as Alexander finds himself in more and more danger. Melissa Barrera's Michelle enters as another intelligence agent there to keep an eye on Alexander, but her background and actions are highly intriguing. The actress makes it hard to get a read on her character, leaving you guessing as to what's next.

The others in the ensemble cast, such as Brian d'Arcy James, Mark O'Brien, Kathleen Chalfant, and Saul Rubinek, are less compelling onscreen. But Sinclair Daniel's Parker, who also works in The Orphanage, as another analyst, impresses, and it's interesting to see her develop at the agency.

Initially, in the first half of The Copenhagen Test, the world-building is introduced fast and can overwhelm. But once the hack is revealed, the show picks up. The chemistry between Liu and Barrera is sparkling, and it's interesting to see it change over the episodes as more information is introduced. As several shows this past year have benefitted from a weekly drop schedule, maybe The Copenhagen Test would have done the same. If viewers binge it in one go, the mysteries are revealed, but the excitement doesn't last for too long.