((L to R) Stephanie Sy as Sandy Yoon, Rachel Lynch as Romi, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Luke Brunner, Devon Bostick as Oscar Brunner in "Fubar". | Christos Kalohoridis via Netflix © 2023)
Hollywood’s most macho Austrian is back in action with a new Netflix original series, “FUBAR.” The show stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Monica Barbaro as a father/daughter duo who are CIA agents.
The series follows Luke Brunner, a grizzled CIA agent who is tasked with one last mission before retirement. During this operation he discovers his daughter, Emma Brunner, is also a CIA agent. They are tasked with taking down a nuclear threat together. The eight episodes average 45 minutes long.
“FUBAR” does a great job of being serious when it needs to be while also providing comic relief in moments where tension is running high.
Many people seem to have an issue with the fact that “FUBAR” calls back to a lot of Schwarzenegger’s old films by implementing quotes that were heard in movies like “Predator” and “The Terminator.” I personally think it’s a nice way to bring the past into the present without making it seem forced or silly. I don’t think it is reasonable to gatekeep things like movie quotes considering the star of the movies being referenced and “FUBAR” itself is also the new show’s executive producer.
The cast is put together well.
Having Schwarzenegger as Luke Brunner and Barbaro as Emma Brunner creates for some hilarious conflict that can only come as a result of two family members working together. Milan Carter who plays Barry, a fellow CIA agent and longtime friend of Luke, does a great job of being the comic relief whose character development is well-paced throughout the show. Fortune Feimster and Travis Van Winkle who both play CIA agents on Luke’s team have distinct and well-rounded personalities that add the depth necessary in an espionage show as well as the relief.
Tales of triumph and failure are common in the show. Where a conflict is resolved, another one quickly arises as a result of well placed plot devices. The dramedy ends on a cliffhanger that makes any action fan crave a second season. It is my hope that the show gets renewed for a second season because when it comes to action-packed shows with familiar faces, I am always going to be first in line to witness it.
With a show biz veteran like Arnold Schwarzenegger (who surprisingly has never starred in any TV shows) and exhilarating stories told, “FUBAR” gets an 8 out of 10.
Noumaan Faiz, (he/him) is a journalist and entertainer from Hayward, CA who covers culture and entertainment.
Edited by Nykeya Woods