‘The Fugitive’ Meets ‘Extraction’ in Apple TV’s 10-Part American Thriller Series

There’s a reason why audiences flock to action thrillers. They’re so much fun to watch, with exciting plots and hair-raising twists and turns. One of the best action films of the 1990s was The Fugitive, starring Harrison Ford. It had an impressive pedigree for an action flick — not only becoming a box-office smash, but also earning seven Oscar nominations. In the same vein, 2020’s Extraction, with Chris Hemsworth, echoes The Fugitive‘s high-octane energy. If you’re a fan of either of these movies, or if you just need a fantastic new series to binge, Apple TV’s 10-episode series will definitely fit the bill.

What Is ‘The Last Frontier’ About?

The Last Frontier comes from executive producer Sam Hargrave, who also directed Extraction, and debuted on the streamer last October. The story follows U.S. Marshal Frank Remnick (Jason Clarke), located in the snowy outskirts of Fairbanks, Alaska. In the opening moments of the series, many dangerous inmates are loaded onto a prison transport airplane. Soon after, the plane crashes, and some of the survivors go on the run through the freezing and unforgiving terrain.

It becomes Frank’s responsibility to recapture as many inmates as he can while limiting the danger to the people living in nearby areas. This turns out to be no easy task, as Frank and his team come face-to-face with some of the most brutal criminals ever. Frank’s job becomes even more challenging when an enigmatic CIA agent named Sidney Scofield (Haley Bennett) also comes to town. Turns out there was a CIA asset named Havlock (Dominic Cooper) who survived the plane crash, and Sidney asks for Frank’s help in locating him. As their journeys become intertwined, we learn more about both Frank’s and Sidney’s backstories, as well as find out the histories of some of the fugitives who are on the loose.

‘The Last Frontier’ Is a Fun, Heart-Racing Distraction

The main reason The Last Frontier is so entertaining to watch is that it’s such a great distraction from reality. The cinematography allows Alaska to become another character in the series, always reminding the viewer of the perils of the frigid landscape. There are a lot of elements that can kill characters, even without murderous convicts on the lam. Aside from the picturesque scenery, The Last Frontier offers impressive special effects (especially that plane crash scene) that are on par with anything you would see on the big screen. The series also excels when it comes to fight sequences, which feel utterly believable, and you’ll likely find yourself holding your breath while they play out. The episodes are also filled with intriguing mysteries, especially as you learn more about why Sidney is so desperate to capture Havlock. The story’s twists ensure that the high-stakes action is always incredibly fun to watch.

A lot of The Last Frontier‘s success is due to Clarke’s performance as a hardened protagonist who isn’t afraid to break some laws if it means catching the bad guys. Even as the ultimate action hero, Clarke shines when it comes to his quieter scenes with Bennett and Simone Kessell, who plays Frank’s beleaguered wife. There are several standouts when it comes to the actors who depict the fugitives. Damian Young, Clifton Collins Jr., Rusty Schwimmer, and Johnny Knoxville all use their short time on screen to maximum effect. Alfre Woodard and John Slattery also pop up as colleagues of Sidney’s who just might be hiding some secrets that will affect Havlock’s recapture.

The Last Frontier seemed to be a hit with fans, but was surprisingly cancelled after its first season. The series has continued to do well on the streaming charts, which makes its cancellation even more disappointing. However, with just 10 episodes, the series is still a quick binge-watch worth your time.