Best of 2023: Hijack

We’re coming to the end of another year which gives us a moment to stop and reflect on what we’ve seen. This week, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite shows and movies of 2023 that you can check out as you have free time to end the year.

Selection: Hijack

Where to Find It: All seven episodes are now streaming on Apple TV+

What It’s About: This series is set on a commercial flight to London. It takes place in near real time as the flight is hijacked by a group of terrorists with a list of demands. The passengers, led by Sam Nelson (Idris Elba) are forced to figure out how to survive and beat the invaders that have seized the plane before it’s too late.

On the ground, we have an Air Traffic Controller (Eve Myles) who deciphers the clues to determine what’s happening. She manages to keep her calm and serve as a connection to the plane in the air and the group trying to help end the crisis safely.

Elsewhere, the British government has to decide on a course of action. Can they bring the plane down safely, or does it pose to big a threat to the country? Will they have to make the ultimate decision to shoot it down and avoid a bigger tragedy?

Why I Loved Hijack

A good, confined series is always a win if it’s well-executed. We got that with Hijack. I loved the premise and the confined space. The mixture of time spent in the plane and on the ground added to the action in the series. And the real time commitment didn’t wear out its welcome. It’s just seven episodes, most around 45 minutes, making for a quick and exciting watch, especially since it’s available to stream all at once instead of the weekly offerings we got when it first aired.

Elba is a great lead. He brings a lot to the role here as you’re never quite sure what Sam is thinking and what his motivation is going to be. At times, he seems quite self-serving. But in the end, it’s a great performance in what turns out to be a fun and engaging role.

Apple TV+ has been on a great run producing original content since it debuted at the end of 2019. Many of its series have ended up on my best of the year list, and 2023 is no exception. There are a number of great ongoing and limited series, and Hijack is one that shouldn’t be missed. It’s the perfect length for quick and exciting binge this holiday season.