Review: Atomic further cements Sky as the best destination for high octane dramas ★★★★★
Sky has done it again. Hot on the heels of successes like The Day of the Jackal, the broadcaster delivers another white-knuckle, adrenaline-charged drama in the form of Atomic. Slickly made and utterly relentless, this new series is a pulse-pounding ride from the very first scene, proving once more that Sky has carved out a real niche as the home of intelligent yet explosive action dramas.
A Relentless Pace
The word “fast” doesn’t even begin to cover it. The opening hour of Atomic is nothing short of insane — a dizzying blur of fights, escapes, shootouts and double-crosses as Max (Alfie Allen) and JJ (Shazad Latif) are propelled across North Africa and the Middle East. Every corner seems to unleash a new adversary: corrupt cops, mercenaries, Russian gangsters, furious drug barons, intelligence agents, and even a grieving father determined to exact revenge.
It’s high-octane storytelling at its purest, yet it never feels messy. The action is choreographed with precision, the camera work is sharp and fluid, and the tension never drops. If you thought Sky couldn’t top its recent run of blockbusters, Atomic proves there’s still fuel in the tank.
Unlikely Heroes with Heart
At its core, Atomic thrives on the pairing of Alfie Allen and Shazad Latif. Max, a reckless smuggler, and JJ, a mysterious fugitive with secrets of his own, could easily have been stock characters in a globe-trotting chase. But Allen and Latif spark off each other with unexpected warmth and vulnerability. Their chemistry lifts the series, adding heart to the chaos and making their unlikely partnership believable, and at times, even touching.
Backing them up is Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale, Orange is the New Black) as Cassie Elliott, a brilliant CIA scientist and undercover operative whose mission is to track Max and JJ at all costs. Wiley brings steel and intelligence to the role, adding depth to what could have been a straightforward antagonist. Her dogged pursuit gives the story its razor edge, but her own motives suggest something murkier bubbling under the surface.
A Wild, Unpredictable Journey
What makes Atomic stand out is its ability to fuse blockbuster spectacle with character-driven storytelling. Yes, there are chases, gunfights, and explosions aplenty, but there’s also a story about friendship, redemption, and finding unexpected allies in impossible circumstances.
As Max and JJ are dragged deeper into a plot involving enriched uranium, international intelligence agencies and cartels with limitless resources, the question becomes not just whether they can survive — but whether they can change. By the time the first episodes draw to a close, the audience is hooked not just by the chaos, but by the characters at its centre.
Verdict
With Atomic, Sky proves once again it knows exactly how to deliver appointment television that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. Stylish, unrelenting, and anchored by standout performances from Alfie Allen, Shazad Latif, and Samira Wiley, this is a drama that demands to be binged.
Strap in — Atomic isn’t just a show. It’s an experience.
Stream now on Sky TV and NOW.
★★★★★