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Quick Answer: In a genre that can be predictable or dry, The Night Manager stands apart. But how? The truthful, albeit seemingly simple answer, is because it breaks that mold. Jonathan Pine, the titular night manager, is a simple man, not some highfalutin spy. He’s a regular man who simply wants to fight against injustice. In a show filled with greed and ambition, political corruption, and the moral courage to fight evil, Pine proves to us that anyone can stand up and fight.

Last month, AMC aired the finale of the BBC miniseries The Night Manager (2016), based on John Le Carré‘s novel of the same name.

Though the show is finished (for now, at least), it left an indelible impression on its viewers, especially those interested in the spy genre. When one hears the word “espionage,” the first (and sometimes only) thing to jump to people’s minds is James Bond. Others are also familiar with The Bourne Trilogy, as well as the many comedic takes on the genre, such as Get Smart (1965 - 1970) or Spy (2015). In fact, given its abundance of fast cars, deadly gadgets, and smooth talking heroes, spy movies should be one of the most popular and loved genres out there. Why, then, does it seem to get so old so fast?

One of the spy genre’s weaknesses is the distinct feeling it engenders that once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. Spy films tend to be quite predictable, and some lack the depth needed to keep the audience hooked. A spy may be interesting, but if he or she is one dimensional, there’s only so long that the audience will remain interested. Additionally, spy movies must navigate the fine line between exciting and ridiculous. As soon as it starts hovering over the line, the film can become almost cartoonish, losing a lot of people in the process.

Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine in The Night Manager

So how does The Night Manager avoid the same trite landmines as its predecessors? The truthful, albeit seemingly simple answer, is because it breaks that mold. It’s something new, something different. The series doesn’t begin in the middle of a high speed car chase or a new assignment briefing. Rather, we begin the series following a hotel’s night manager, Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston). A former soldier, he lives a fairly simple life. He’s just a man who stands against injustice, indirectly feeding information to the British government. While he certainly has an air of mystery, a characteristic of most spies, he’s not a completely closed book. He dismantles the trope of the stoic spy, instead expressing his emotions on more than one occasion. He may be suave and strong, but he starts off as a very average guy, which gives him an appealing Everyman status. This status also reinforces the idea that anyone can fight injustice. In The Night Manager, injustice is embodied in Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie). Pine is recruited by a British intelligence officer, Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) to go undercover and infiltrate Roper’s inner circle.

Roper is described as “the worst man in the world,” and the epithet isn’t much of an exaggeration. What makes Roper additionally unsettling is the fact that are real men in the world who are just like him. Roper may do horrible things and relish in chaos and pain, but he has a lot of money. As such, he does a lot for the British government. Despite his sinister behavior, the powers at be turn a blind eye in the name of money and convenience. The result is a show that painfully mirrors real life political corruption. The stakes are believable, and therefore all the more engrossing to watch.

Hugh Laurie as Richard Roper and Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine in The Night Manager

The show has very little humor, which adds to the unabating suspense. Indeed, there’s no comic relief to function as a reprieve for Pine. Even though every move he makes could be his last, each is of the utmost importance to his mission. As the show progresses, each of Pine’s actions become increasingly risky and the stakes higher. Instead of relying on fiery explosions and Mexican standoffs, The Night Manager unfolds like a slow-burning, extremely intense game of chess. If you aren’t careful, you’ll never know what your last move will be.

Unlike other imprints of the spy genre, The Night Manager is about more than courage, sophistication and charm. The Night Manager stands apart because it is invested in the theme of morality. Both Pine and Burr stand up to an evil force that is being shoved under the rug, pulling it out and trying to destroy it for good. The Night Manager is a new kind of espionage, one that even those who hate the genre can enjoy.