Paris Has Fallen review: Thrilling action dampened by simplified storyline

The first series in the ‘Has Fallen’ franchise – with big-budget films like Olympus Has Fallen (2013), London Has Fallen (2016) and Angel Has Fallen (2019) setting the precedent – Paris Has Fallen (2024) is now out. The show stars Tewfik Jallab, Ritu Arya and Sean Harris in lead roles. This is likely the first in the Has Fallen series without Gerard Butler.
Set in Paris, the show centers around Vincent Taleb, played by Tewfik Jallab, a protection officer assigned to safeguard the French Defence Minister as the city faces a terrorist attack orchestrated by former defense officer Pearce (Sean Harris), who was tortured during his imprisonment by the Taliban—thanks to the same minister. Pearce teams up with an MI6 operative team led by Zara (Ritu Arya).
Created by Howard Overman, Paris Has Fallen promises an enthralling ride, powerful action, and some quirky moments. However, as a revenge thriller, the show is predictable to a fault. In one scene, when a gun is disguised and hidden in a book, you’re hardly surprised — you see it coming! Similarly, in a fight sequence, the focus on a heel during an encounter makes it obvious that it will later be used as a weapon.
See the trailer of Paris Has Fallen here:

While this predictability may make the show slightly underwhelming, the performances keep you hooked. Sean Harris, in particular, delivers a deadpan seriousness that goes beyond his scarred-face prosthetics. Twefik Jallab as Vincent is both charming and disarming, making his character intriguing. His dynamic with Zara, played by Ritu Arya, also adds interest. Ritu is perfectly cast in the role, and the performances overall compensate for the narrative and plot shortcomings.
The pace of the show is decent, with the background music (BGM) adding value to the overall viewing experience. While the action sequences are stylish for television, they’re not something you haven’t seen before.
Paris Has Fallen is available for streaming on Lionsgate Play.