Splinter Cell: Deathwatch Season 1: A Sharp, Suspenseful Thrill Ride — Even for Newcomers

I’m not familiar with the video games this series is based on, so I went in relying solely on the trailers—and this turned out to be a solid show. The slow-burn pacing enhances the tension and suspense, and the voice acting is phenomenal. Liev Schreiber and Kirby Howell-Baptiste are almost unrecognizable as Sam Fisher and Zinnia McKenna, delivering subdued yet compelling performances that ground their characters.

The animation style shines brightest during the action scenes, and the episodes flow seamlessly from one to the next. The main weakness lies with the antagonists—they never feel like a real threat, their encounters are predictable, and a few side characters come off as one-dimensional.

Still, with each episode running under 30 minutes, it’s a sharp, suspenseful action thriller that makes for a quick and satisfying binge.