Black Doves

In 2024 spy dramas are all about a work / life balance (see also The Day of the Jackal).

How do you keep the homes fires burning while taking out your latest target? And how do those family ties pull on your heartstrings when all you’re trying to do is extinguish another life without blowing your cover?

In Black Doves, poor Helen (Keira Knightley) is literally on the phone saying “mummy loves you” while hiding from enemies about to take her out. But she’s no slouch. Victory is all in a days work for one of the Black Doves team.

By day she’s the wife of Britain’ Secretary of State for Defence Wallace Webb, (Andrew Buchan), by night she is a stealth spy for Reed (Sarah Lancashire), the powerful, enigmatic boss of the Black Doves spies. This bunch are so shadowy not even MI:6 know about them. Just what their purpose is remains shrouded in secrecy, but Helen is one of their best and a gun at being gun for hire.

If she has any weakness it is falling hard for a civil servant, Jason (Andrew Koji), and finding time to squeeze in an affair on the side. Except when Jason is part of a string of killings, Helen is determined to get justice. When Reed tells her his death is connected to a wider political incident involving the Chinese ambassador, she has her way in…

Brought in to protect Helen is ‘trigger man’ Sam (Ben Whishaw) who has precision-like skills with guns and all things covert. He’s also moved on from his relationship with ex Michael (Omari Douglas) until an unexpected reacquaintance pulls him back to the perfect partner he let go. Dating is never easy when you’re a spy.

It’s also made worse when your former boss, Lenny (Kathryn Hunter), wants you to finish off a job or she’ll have Michael killed.

Against the backdrop of all this work / love Wallace is rising in political circles and diplomacy, some of which involves the Chinese ambassador thread, and constantly looking out for the family’s two small kids when Helen mysteriously vanishes at all hours of the night when Reed summons her.

Knightley, it has to be said, is panther-like at these occupational hazards, kicking arse in shoot-outs and fisticuffs, constantly winning the day and getting home in time to kiss the kids goodnight. Helen is clearly in this for the long-haul. I mean, she’s been married to the Defence Minister and had two kids, all for the sake of one of Reed’s missions? It’s a stretch. The action scenes are more convincing than doting mother.

Whishaw as Sam juggles the emotion and work to considerable effect. You believe he cares about Michael, and you believe that he believes his promises, all of which are impossible to keep -it’s torn on his handsome, hand-dog face.

Thank god Sarah Lancashire is in the role of Reed, because it is so underwritten that she slinks in and out of scenes, pouring a white wine and ordering a kill. Were it anyone less than her gravitas it would be a supporting player. Lancashire convinces with limited dialogue and even less backstory.

Flashbacks and timelines by writer Joe Barton can be mightily confusing (hint, keep your eye on Keira’s hair) but director Alex Gabassi never disappoints on the excitement scale. The action scenes pack a punch, courtesy of Knightley’s commitment.

The story is set against a Christmas backdrop. There’s lots of London streetscapes, decorations and snow, cheekily contrasting the sentiment of the season with the bloodlust executions going on in dark corners. It may not match a classic like Die Hard but Black Doves is a spirited twist on that most wonderful time of the year.

Black Doves is now screening on Netflix.