The Last Frontier

Streaming on: Apple TV+
Episodes viewed: 10 of 10

The Last Frontier starts with a violent plane crash, which is fitting given the wreck that ensues. This is a disappointment of a series, which is all the more surprising given how strong the opening episode is. The sensationalist set-up — best described as Con Air meets Yellowjackets — sees a prison plane crash in the mountains of Alaska, unleashing dozens of orange-clad prisoners thirsty for blood and freedom.

The pulse-pounding action sequence that follows is straightforwardly thrilling. Director Sam Hargrave (the former stuntman behind Chris Hemsworth actioner Extraction) — who also shows up in a key role at the start of the episode — immediately ups the ante with a brutal showdown between local law enforcement and the zombie-like horde of criminals.

A thriller that struggles to thrill, bogged down by endless jargon and hollow exposition.

This sets the stage for a criminal-of-the-week showdown where US Marshal Frank Remnick (Jason Clarke) ferrets out each remaining convict now hiding out in the sleepy town of Fairbanks. Pulpy, network TV-style stakes led by a strong cast with an Apple TV+ sized budget… What could go wrong? Quite a lot, it turns out, because creators Jon Bokenkamp and Richard D’Ovidio struggle to understand the appeal of their own show.

Just when they should be leaning harder into the silly yet undeniably fun premise, they double down on another plot concerning Havlock (Dominic Cooper), a prisoner whose freedom represents a threat to national security. The result is a thriller that struggles to thrill, bogged down by endless jargon and hollow exposition that Clarke and Haley Bennett, as a CIA agent on Havlock’s tail, try their very best to elevate. (That’s not even to mention Alfre Woodard and John Slattery, who are simply overqualified for this show.)

Intermittent set-pieces break up the monotony, especially with a few ridiculous turns that’ll have you looking up from your phone just when you’re about to give up on the show altogether. Yet for the most part, each episode focuses on all the wrong things. The finale teases more to come, but as it stands, The Last Frontier should live up to its name and end here.