Invasion

Invasion is a sweeping, science fiction drama series that follows an alien invasion through different perspectives around the world. Starts slow but turns into a super sci fi drama on Apple TV+

Apple TV's Invasion is an interesting take on the alien genre. In contrast to big explosions and over-the-top action, the show focuses on the human element, following five people trying to make sense of what is happening to them.

The first time I sat down to watch this series, I fell asleep 30 minutes into the first episode! It may have been that I was tired, but honestly, I didn't find this show compelling.

Fast forward a few weeks, and I decided to give it another try and boom, I was hooked!

INVASION IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL SCI-FI SERIES

Once you get past the slow beginning, Invasion picks up the pace and becomes a very binge-able sci-fi series by episode three. The acting is superb, the characters are interesting.

However, a word of warning, this is not an Independence Day style science fiction romp. If you're looking for a series with laser beams and lots of explosions, this isn't the right show for you.

Invasion focuses more on the characters and their individual stories, with the aliens relegated to the periphery in many episodes.

That's not to say it's not exciting; it just takes a different approach than your average science fiction series.

WHAT'S INVASION ABOUT?

Not surprisingly, the show is about an alien invasion! But the difference here is the mode of storytelling the director has chosen.

Invasion disperses the plot across a wide cast rather than relying on one or two primary characters or heroes.

It is an emotional alien invasion story told through sweeping cinematic vision so plotwise and visually it really is stunning.

The only information you have regarding the invasion is what the characters know. So you discover the story at the same time they do.

It's a risky move, but for the most part, it works. You feel a strong sense of anxiety and intrigue as the events in different nations unfold.

The key characters and cast are Mitsuki (Shioli Kutsuna), Aneesha (Golshifteh Farahani) & Ahmed Malik (Firas Nassar), Jim Bell Tyson (Sam Neill), Casper Morrow (Billy Barratt) and Trevante Cole (Shamier Anderson).

Shiori Kutsuna and Billy Barratt stand out the most for me. Kutsuna's character is central to the plot, and she does a great job of portraying the intelligent communications expert for the Japanese space agency.

Young actor Billy Barratt shines as the socially awkward kid caught up in the invasion. Although, to be fair, no one puts in a bad performance.

IS INVASION WORTH WATCHING?

Reviews for this series on IMDB make interesting reading; they range from ‘Don't waste your time because this show is BOR-ing!' to ‘one of the best shows I've watched in a long time'.

One reviewer likened it to War of The Worlds and A Quiet Place getting together. I think that's a pretty accurate description.

I'd say Invasion is worth watching, but with a few caveats. Firstly, if you don't like slow burns, this series may not be for you.

Secondly, don't anticipate seeing many aliens until the series is nearly over. Yet when they finally arrive, they're menacing and mysterious. In fact, they are pretty terrifying alien intruders.

And lastly, halfway through the series, you might still be wondering what the hell is going on!

Nevertheless, Invasion pays off in the later episodes with some very satisfying story arcs and an intense finale if you can stick with it.

Overall, I'd give it a solid 8/10. It's by no means a perfect show, but it has some good moments.

WHERE CAN I WATCH INVASION?

You can watch the sci-fi drama Invasion on Apple TV. The series has ten episodes that run for approximately 60 minutes.

Apple TV has a wide range of content, and it's well worth signing up for a free trial to check it out. On the Sci-fi front, they have an excellent Tom Hanks movie Finch.

WILL THERE BE A SECOND SEASON OF INVASION?

The good news is that once you finish the first season of Invasion, you can rest easy knowing that Invasion season 2 has been confirmed.

Thanks to the amazing fans that loved the show, Apple TV+ confirmed in December 2021 that it would get a second season.

That is quite incredible considering the production for the first 10 episodes are rumoured to have cost around $200 million!

As of yet, there is no release date however, it took seven months from the end of filming season 1 to get to our screens so it may be 2023 before we see it.

Speaking about the show Apple TV+ head of programming Matt Cherniss said:

“It has been so rewarding to witness global audiences respond to the brilliant performances, the captivating mystery and the sweeping cinematic vision, not to mention some pretty terrifying alien intruders.

“We couldn't be more excited for viewers to see what Invasion creators Simon Kinberg and David Weil have in store for these characters.”

HOW MANY EPISODES OF INVASION ARE THERE?

Currently, there are only 10 episodes of Invasion available on Apple TV+. However with a second season in the works that number will double.

And so the emotional alien invasion story continues…

INVASION APPLE TV CAST

When executive producers Simon Kinberg and David Weil created the idea of an alien invasion seen through the different perspectives of various people on different continents across the world, they needed a cast to match expectations.

And they got it with the terrific performances put in by the following people…

Golshifteh Farahani as Aneesha Malik, a Syrian immigrant

Shamier Anderson as Trevante Cole, an American soldier

Shioli Kutsuna as Mitsuki Yamato

Firas Nassar as Ahmed “Manny” Malik

Aziz Capkurt as Kuchi

Billy Barratt as Caspar Morrow

Azhy Robertson as Luke Malik

Tara Moayedi as Sarah Malik

Daisuke Tsuji as Kaito Kawaguchi

Sam Neill as Sheriff John Bell Tyson, a weathered rural lawman