The 355 ends with the main characters seeking revenge on Nick, who betrayed them. They poison him and leave him to be arrested, hinting at a possible sequel.
The 355, directed by Simon Kinberg, is an action-packed spy thriller. It features a star-studded cast, including Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, and Lupita Nyong’o. The film follows a group of international spies trying to stop a terrorist organization from acquiring a dangerous device.
Plot Summary
The title “The 355” is inspired by Agent 355, a female spy from the American Revolution. The film introduces a device that can control global events, leading to potential worldwide chaos. The story begins in Bogotá, Colombia, where a criminal leader named Elijah Clarke tries to steal the device during a deal gone wrong. This device can crash airplanes, bring down power grids, and cause other forms of technological havoc (DMTalkies).
The main characters are:
Mace (Jessica Chastain) : A CIA agent who leads the team.Graciela (Penélope Cruz) : A Colombian psychologist who gets entangled in the mission.Khadijah (Lupita Nyong’o) : A former MI6 agent and cybersecurity expert.Marie (Diane Kruger) : A German BND agent.Lin Mi Sheng (Fan Bingbing) : A Chinese MSS agent who plays a crucial role in the film’s climax.
The Climax and Ending
The Auction in Shanghai
The climax takes place in Shanghai, where an auction is held. This auction is a front for gangsters and drug lords to bid on the device. The agents infiltrate the event, and Khadijah uses her skills to enter their names for the auction. During the event, Mace spots Nick (Sebastian Stan), who was presumed dead but reveals he has switched sides and is now working for the underworld. Nick buys the device, but the agents tag it with a chip in Graciela’s handbag (DMTalkies).
The Final Confrontation
Nick tries to make amends by locating Sheng’s safe space and threatening the agents’ loved ones until Sheng gives up the drive. Khadijah destroys the drive, but the women are implicated in the crimes and go on the run. A few months later, Mace and the other women seek revenge on Nick, who has been promoted by the CIA. Mace reminisces to Nick about the story of Agent 355, an unnamed woman who served as a spy during the American Revolution. After poisoning Nick and leaving him to be arrested for his crimes, the women part ways but seem to have an understanding that they’ll probably work together again (Screen Rant).
The Twist
A late-coming twist reveals that Sheng and her father were part of an MSS plan to see who would show up to bid on the drive. The real drive was hidden, and the one at the auction was a fake. This plan works temporarily until Clarke learns that Nick bid an enormous amount of money on a fake drive (Screen Rant).
Critical Reception
The 355 received mixed reviews. It has a 24% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 40 out of 100 on Metacritic. Critics noted that while the film had a stellar cast and a progressive idea, it squandered these elements on a forgettable story and unremarkable execution (Wikipedia). However, some reviews were more positive, noting that the film was “starry, silly escapism with pop-feminist flare” and a “solid spy flick that adds something new to the genre without totally upending it” (Wikipedia).
Box Office Performance
In the U.S. and Canada, The 355 grossed $14.5 million, with an additional $13.2 million from other territories, for a worldwide total of $27.8 million. The film’s opening weekend was underwhelming, earning $4.6 million and finishing third at the box office behind Spider-Man: No Way Home and Sing 2 (Wikipedia).
Potential for a Sequel
The ending of The 355 leaves the door open for a potential sequel. While it doesn’t overtly announce a sequel like Marvel films do with post-credits scenes, the unresolved storylines and the characters’ understanding that they might work together again suggest that a sequel is possible. The film’s producers, including Jessica Chastain, have expressed interest in continuing the story, depending on the film’s reception and box office performance (Screen Rant).
Conclusion
The 355 attempts to break new ground by featuring an all-female ensemble cast in a genre traditionally dominated by men. While it delivers action-packed sequences and a few intriguing plot twists, it ultimately falls short due to its generic storytelling and lack of depth. The film’s ending, however, sets up the possibility for a sequel, leaving fans hopeful for a more refined and engaging continuation of the story.