I've already watched the first three episodes of Prime Video's new action series — and it's no thrill ride
Prime Video's latest original series is "Countdown," an explosive, race-against-time action thriller from "One Chicago" creator Derek Haas and star Jensen Ackles.
Viewing the "Countdown" trailer, I was pretty amped. While I'm not hugely familiar with Haas' previous series, I'm always game for a dose of adrenaline, and "Countdown" looked like it'd deliver some thrills.
Ahead of the show's three-episode premiere today (June 25), I had the chance to check out the initial drop ... and I've got bad news.
I'd hoped that "Countdown" would be a fun, high-octane summer treat on the Amazon streaming service, but after watching these first three episodes, I can't say I'm eager to sit through any more "Countdown" — here's why.
The big problem here, simply put, is that "Countdown" is so generic that I quickly found it was washing over me. And given there are 10 more episodes left, well, that's worrying.
The series revolves around Mark Meachum (Jensen Ackles), an LAPD detective who is recruited to a secret task force after a Department of Homeland Security officer is murdered in broad daylight. Together with other undercover agents from other branches of law enforcement, Meachum starts to search for the killer.
Soon, the task force uncovers a far more sinister plot that leads to a race against time to save the city.
As a set-up, that sure sounds like a recipe for a thrilling ride, right? Well, that's not how I feel three episodes in. It's not like "Countdown" is slow-moving, per se; the series opens with a frenetic chase, and there's action and plot reveal woven in pretty regularly to keep things moving along. It's just that what's here isn't fun to watch, and despite that set-up, the story just feels so inert.
There's mention of incredibly high stakes (our heroes are trying to prevent a "Chernobyl-level event" from happening in Los Angeles) and that grand terror plot to foil, but the show can't match those stakes.
A lot of time is spent watching middling chatter, or cliche storybeats, or exposition dumps. The characters, so far, feel pretty one-note, and even some of the action looks and feels pretty clunky.
Despite the ticking-clock premise, it's anything but edge-of-your-seat stuff. Each of these opening episodes ends with a big crescendo moment that I'm sure was designed to have you itching to want to come back for more, but the reality is, "Countdown" is just another average-at-best police procedural that just sucks the fun out of proceedings.
While I don't think "boring" is a productive criticism, that's ultimately the way I'd describe Prime Video's new show. And with my interest already wavering from the first three instalments, I can't really fathom what "Countdown" could do to change my mind on that front.
Unless you're really going to get a kick out of some of the action sequences or love a gruff, cocksure Jensen Ackles turn, "Countdown" doesn't feel like it's worth the time investment.
It's just sort of fine at best, and that's simply not good enough to have me ready to commit to returning week to week for the remaining episodes.
Looks like I'm not alone on that front, either; early reviews show "Countdown" is proving divisive. At the time of writing, the show's currently sitting at a 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with others also criticizing the show's cliche feel.
I'm not one to rag on a show unnecessarily, but honestly, when I was watching "Countdown," the only counting going on was from me, looking at the remaining runtime and wishing for the show to be over. I'm willing to be proven wrong, but the series didn't make a good first impression.
And if reading this has put you off "Countdown" and you're now in dire need of some streaming inspiration right now, check out our guide to the best Prime Video shows for tons more suggestions that are more deserving of your time.
"Countdown" episodes 1-3 are streaming now on Prime Video.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
an hour ago
- Business Insider
Everything to know about the life and career of Lauren Sánchez, Jeff Bezos' wife
Lauren Sánchez married Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on June 27, 2025, in a dazzling Italian ceremony. Sánchez and Bezos' wedding was a star-studded affair, drawing some 200 guests, including billionaires and celebrities. Sánchez has captivated the public ever since her relationship with Bezos went public in 2019. Here's a look at Sánchez's life and career. Sánchez's early career in media Sánchez grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and studied broadcast journalism at the University of Southern California. She began anchoring UPN News 13 on Los Angeles' KCOP in 1999, where her team won a Los Angeles Area Emmy award in 2001. Sánchez went on to work as a host at various news channels before landing at Fox 11's "Good Day LA" in 2003, where she worked for six years. She then became a weekend anchor and special correspondent on "Extra" in 2009. In addition to once being an anchor in real life, Sánchez has played a news anchor in movies including "Fight Club," "The Day After Tomorrow," and "The Fantastic Four." She also used to host a dancing reality show; Sánchez was a host on the first season of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" in 2005, but she left the show after one season. Sánchez's aviation career and company Sánchez is also a licensed plane and helicopter pilot. Sánchez learned how to fly while working as a news anchor and she started flying planes in 2011 before getting her helicopter pilot's license in 2016. Her interest in aviation seems to have been sparked at an early age, as her father was a flight instructor and mechanic who rebuilt planes. Sánchez founded Black Ops Aviation in 2016, a "female owned and operated" aerial filming company, which has shot footage for Amazon, Netflix, and Fox, among others. Sánchez also lent her aerial-filming knowledge to Christopher Nolan as a consultant on "Dunkirk." Sánchez's personal life and relationship with Bezos Sánchez was married to Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell for 13 years. Whitesell is co-CEO of the Hollywood agency WME, and his clients include Matt Damon, Christian Bale, and Hugh Jackman. Whitesell and Sánchez married in 2005 and separated in the fall of 2018. They finalized their divorce in October 2019 with shared custody of their two children, People magazine reported. Sánchez also has a son from her previous relationship with NFL star Tony Gonzalez. Sánchez and Bezos got engaged four years after going public with their relationship. Bezos and Sánchez first connected at a 2016 Amazon Studios party for the film "Manchester by the Sea," according to Brad Stone's book, "Amazon Unbound." They would meet again in 2018, when Bezos hired Sánchez's company to film footage for his rocket company, Blue Origin. Their relationship came to light in a 2019 tabloid scandal, and the couple went public shortly after Bezos and his now-ex-wife, author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, announced their divorce in 2019 following 25 years of marriage. Sánchez and Bezos got engaged in May 2023. Sanchez was photographed with a large diamond ring on her left ring finger while onboard Bezos' yacht, Koru. Since then, Sánchez and Bezos have often been spotted cruising on his yacht or attending high-profile events, including President Trump's inauguration. In 2020, Bezos announced that he would commit $10 billion — about 7.7% of Bezos' net worth at the time — to fighting the climate crisis as part of an initiative called the Bezos Earth Fund. Sánchez serves as the organization's vice chair. She's also a children's book author — Sánchez's picture book, " The Fly Who Flew to Space," came out in September 2024. She's talked about how her own struggles with dyslexia were part of the inspiration for her writing the book. In April 2025, Sánchez went to space, leading Blue Origin's all-woman crew. The crew also included "CBS Mornings" cohost Gayle King, pop star Katy Perry, Nobel Peace Prize nominee Amanda Nguyen, former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. The roughly 11-minute journey took the six-person all-women crew past the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. Blue Origin says this was the first all-female flight crew since Valentina Tereshkova's flight to space in 1963.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tom Brady, Sydney Sweeney Get Friendly at Jeff Bezos' Wedding in Venice: Report
Tom Brady, Sydney Sweeney Get Friendly at Jeff Bezos' Wedding in Venice: Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former superstar NFL quarterback and Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady has been single for a while now, and he is apparently enjoying his no-strings-attached relationship status at the celebrity wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his new wife Lauren Sanchez in Venice. TMZ reported on Friday, June 27, that Brady is in attendance and has been "chatting up" Hollywood leading lady Sydney Sweeney -- one of the biggest movie stars in the world who also happens to be 20 years Brady's junior. We've learned the most hopping place in the Floating City is The Gritti Palace, a landmark waterfront hotel where a collection of Jeff and Lauren's most famous friends are staying -- and it's the place to be for wedding guests looking to party. Sources who are there tell us Tom [Brady], Leo [DiCaprio], Orlando [Bloom], Sydney [Sweeney], Jerry Seinfeld, Charissa Thompson and the Kardashians are all staying at the Gritti, and [Sweeney] is the 'center of attention' for single guys, including [Brady]. We're told the gang's been hanging at the hotel bar, partying and dancing, and [Brady] is taking center stage as the life of the party -- even spending some time chatting up [Sweeney]. TMZ's report didn't include any further details about the interactions between Brady, 47, and Sweeney, 27, other than to say the following: "While the Gritti is crawling with hot ladies, we're told this has become more about the guys bonding with each other than trying to hook up with women," TMZ story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Tom's Guide
2 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
5 best movies you missed in theaters in 2025 (so far), that you can stream right now
Every year, at least a few quality movies don't get the attention they deserve. While I was delighted to see the likes of 'Sinners' break out and find a larger audience, plenty of other flicks weren't so fortunate and didn't get their equally deserved moment in the spotlight. We're now almost halfway through 2025, and this year is proving no exception. For all the great films that have earned critical plaudits and audience adulation, off to the side in the shadows, you'll find some must-watch movies that struggled to break into the mainstream. The good news is that, thanks to streaming, these movies have a second shot at gaining some deserved attention, so even if you missed them in theatres, you can still circle back to watch them in the comfort of your own home. I've been to the cinema more than 40 times in 2025 already, and of all the flicks I've seen on the big screen, these are the five that you (probably) missed but can stream right now. 'Restless' is an utterly rage-inducing watch as you witness protagonist Nicky (Lyndsey Marshal) spiral further and further as she attempts to deal with a nightmare neighbor. A salt-of-the-earth care worker, Nicky's quiet life is upended when a party animal, with a highly questionable circle of friends, moves in next door and disrupts her peace. With the authorities disinterested in helping resolve the matter, this typically mid-mannered woman is forced to take matters into her own hands as a lack of sleep sees her start to lose her grip on reality. Lyndsey Marshal is electric in the leading role, and Nicky's arc is seriously sympathetic, especially when the new neighbor, Deano (Aston McAuley), becomes increasingly aggressive after Nicky begs him to turn his music down so she can get some much-needed rest. Playing on Nicky's sense of powerlessness, 'Restless' will have you almost shaking with anger as much of its runtime is dedicated to watching the likeable lead beaten down and intimidated by the, unfortunately, realistic situation. The ending attempts to bring a sense of catharsis, but it goes a little too far into slapstick territory, but at least it closes things on a more hopeful note. Buy or rent on Prime Video now 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' earned my affection from its very first scene. This overlooked comedy-drama is consistently chuckle-worthy, largely thanks to the sharp comedic spirit of Tim Key, but underneath the gentle gags is an emotionally impactful tale with a melancholic edge. Charles Heath (Key) is a lottery winner living on the remote Wallis Island, who opts to spend his winnings on convincing his musician heroes, Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan), to reunite and play a special one-off concert just for him. McGwyer Mortimer, a fictional folk duo with more than a little bit of Fleetwood Mac about them, were once surging up the charts, but a decade prior disbanded in acrimony, and haven't played together since. Once on the Welsh island, they begin to reminisce on the past, and before long, old romantic tensions have sparked up, with Charles very much trying to play peacemaker. Those craving high-stakes drama or fiery confrontations won't find them here, but instead 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' offers something much richer, a genuine soul. It's wonderfully warming, with just the right amount of wistfulness. Plus, the McGwyer Mortimer tunes performed by Basden and Mulligan are fantastic. Watch on Peacock now 'Drop' is probably as close to a modern-day Alfred Hitchcock movie as you could possibly get, and as any fan of the Master of Suspense will tell you, that is a massive compliment. Violet Gates (Meghann Fahy) is a widowed mother, reluctantly leaving her young son at home, to meet a singleton at a swanky restaurant at the insistence of her sister (Violett Beane). Her date is the handsome and extremely charming Henry (Brandon Sklenar), and just when Violet is considering letting her defenses down, she receives a mysterious text message. The unidentified messenger informs her that sinister figures have taken her son and sister hostage, and will murder them unless Violet does exactly what they instruct and kills Henry. Thrust into a nightmare date, Violet attempts to protect her family while unmasking those behind the murderous plot. Director Christopher Landon expertly builds tension throughout, and each new plot wrinkle is dished out at a well-considered clip. Sure, you might be able to guess the big reveal (the killer's identity is a little obvious), but even if you figure out the destination, the road to get there is a complete blast. Buy or rent on Prime Video now Nicolas Cage continues to pick interesting projects, and 'The Surfer' is another wild entry in his filmography that lets the veteran actor go completely off the rails. It's perhaps his most unhinged role since 2018's 'Mandy,' and presents an increasingly surreal descent into madness. Cage plays an unnamed man who brings his son to a stunning beach for a spot of surfing. The oceanside setting is where the man grew up, and where he plans to buy a plush home just a stone's throw away from the glittering sand. However, their attempts to catch some waves are ruined when the residents rebuff them and declare that surfing on the beach is for 'locals only.' Refusing to walk away from the conflict, the man sticks around and endures several days of sheer torment as his life falls apart around him, and even his own identity is called into question. Finding great success in the thick sense of mystery — you'll soon wonder as to why the locals are being so cruel to Cage's character — 'The Surfer' is a movie where you need to embrace the chaos. Sadly, its narrative ambitions prove to be overstretched, with an ending that fails to bring things to a truly satisfying conclusion. Nevertheless, at its peak, 'The Surfer' is mesmerizing. Buy or rent on Prime Video now Your enjoyment of 'Presence' will most likely come down to how much you can appreciate a movie for trying something new. On the surface, this supernatural horror-thriller appears fairly cookie-cutter, but its unique element comes in the way Steven Soderbergh opts to frame proceedings. See, 'Presence' is a haunted-house movie told from the perspective of the unseen entity that is watching the Payne family, who have just moved into a large new suburban house, unaware of its ghostly occupant. Rather than the spectre being a mystery to viewers, they are literally the POV character. I suspect some viewers will find 'Presence' unbearably slow, but I enjoyed the family drama and the increasing sense of unease that builds up to a sombre finale. Much of what works about "Presence" is also a credit to the cast, which is anchored by Callina Liang, Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan and Eddy Maday. Even if the movie's narrative credentials come up a little short on occasion, at a trim 85 minutes, there's no time to get bored, and Soderbergh plays up the movie's original perspective in some creative ways. The general sense of dread in the air also adds to the stakes and keeps you invested throughout. Watch on Hulu now
