Nightsleeper– A Train Thriller That Derails Expectations
Also Read:Nightsleeper , BBC's latest six-part drama, sets the stage for what could have been an intense, high-octane thriller, but it sadly goes off the rails in more ways than one. Set on a sleeper train traveling from Glasgow to London, the series mixes elements of classic thrillers, like Speed , with real-time tension reminiscent of 24 , all while nodding to other hijack dramas such as Bodyguard and Hijack . Despite this promising blend, Nightsleeper ultimately falls short, becoming a train wreck of storytelling, wooden performances, and absurd plot twists.
The series kicks off with a passenger, played by Joe Cole, emerging as the unlikely hero after thwarting a mugging. However, the stakes quickly rise when the train is hijacked, and communications are jammed. The plot follows an increasingly ridiculous sequence of events, from passengers randomly discovering devices in the train's wiring to a bumbling attempt to determine if the train is rigged with explosives. Much of the drama centers on characters standing around, exchanging stilted dialogue, and staring ominously at a device, all while being manipulated by unseen hackers.
The writing feels unpolished and at times laughably bad, with characters delivering lines that seem out of place even for a high-stress situation. The hero, portrayed by Joe Cole, is disappointingly expressionless throughout, making it hard to root for him or connect emotionally with his journey. Alexandra Roach, as Abby Aysgarth, a technical expert trying to avert disaster, brings some energy to her role, but even her efforts can’t rescue the underwhelming script.
As the plot thickens, the situation on board becomes more convoluted, with everything from a virus threatening critical infrastructure to bizarre facial-recognition subplots involving wanted criminals. The threats keep piling on, but instead of building tension, it stretches credibility to the breaking point. The hijackers demand £10 million in bitcoin, but the motivations behind the attack remain frustratingly vague, adding to the sense of narrative confusion.
The series is also filled with laughable moments, like armed police teams who don’t bother to search the train thoroughly or the NCSC’s director general offering deadpan lines like, “I didn’t need to take that ibuprofen after all,” in the midst of a life-threatening situation. These absurdities detract from any real sense of danger or urgency the show is trying to convey.
Ultimately, Nightsleeper tries hard to be a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller, but it stumbles due to poor execution. The mix of clichés, uninspired performances, and increasingly ludicrous scenarios makes it difficult to take seriously. If you’re in the mood for a well-executed train hijack thriller, you might want to revisit Bodyguard or Hijack —they’ll keep you far more engaged than this fantastically dreadful journey.
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