Overview
The Freelancer is a new action thriller web series created by Neeraj Pandey for Disney+ Hotstar. It stars Mohit Raina as Avinash, a former cop turned globe-trotting mercenary who takes on a personal mission to rescue a young woman trapped by terrorists in Syria.
With its classic “extraction mission” premise and exotic locations, The Freelancer aims to provide an adrenaline-filled adventure story. However, mixed reviews suggest the show doesn’t fully deliver on its potential.
Plot
When Avinash’s former police partner Inayat Khan (Sushant Singh) dies under mysterious circumstances, Avinash returns to India after years away. He soon learns Inayat’s daughter Aliya (Kashmira Pardeshi) has been deceived into joining an extremist organization in Syria.
Driven by loyalty to his deceased friend, Avinash launches a covert operation to get Aliya out, aided by his mentor Dr. Arif Khan (Anupam Kher). But infiltrating a dangerous war-torn region controlled by fundamentalists proves to be a nearly impossible mission.
The Good
- Mohit Raina brings a brooding intensity to the role of troubled protagonist Avinash. His acting chops elevate the series.
- The premise taps into the universally appealing idea of a lone warrior driven by justice and loyalty. Avinash’s backstory provides depth.
- Kashmira Pardeshi also impresses as the young woman trapped in a nightmarish situation.
- Slick production values and exotic locations give the show a cinematic feel. The action sequences and chases are executed with flair.
The Bad
- Overusage of flashbacks and clumsy narration hampers the storytelling flow and impact.
- Supporting characters like Anupam Kher are underutilized. Villains are underwritten.
- The four-episode first season ending abruptly on a cliffhanger leaves the narrative unsatisfyingly incomplete.
- Lack of thematic depth or nuance compared to other shows in the espionage genre.
Verdict
The Freelancer has the skeleton of a pulpy action thriller, but unsatisfying execution and writing make it a mixed bag. Mohit Raina’s intense performance stands out in an otherwise average show that had the potential to be an absorbing geopolitical adventure but doesn’t quite get there. Nevertheless, the high-octane action and exotic setting may appeal to genre fans.
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