When you purchase through links in our articles, Future and its syndication partners may receive a commission.

Netflix is ​​ending 2024 on a high note and the new action-thriller show already seems to be a must-watch.

The streaming service is growing in terms of original shows and the conspiracy thriller “The Madness” is currently dominating the charts at number 1. However, a new show has received unanimous critical praise from the start and is sure to take the top spot.

Enter “Black Doves,” Netflix’s latest action thriller that’s making big waves perfect Points on Rotten Tomatoes. Leading the charge is Keira Knightley as a wife and mother who also happens to be an experienced spy who sets out to find answers after her secret lover is murdered. It appears to be a very exciting spy thriller set around Christmas in London, making it perfect for this month’s festive season.

Here’s everything you need to know about Netflix’s latest action thriller and what critics are saying about it now that it’s streaming…

What is “Black Doves” about?

Set against the festive but dark backdrop of Christmas in London, Black Doves follows Helen Webb (Keira Knightley), a smart, down-to-earth wife and mother who also leads a double life as a professional spy.

For a decade, she has been secretly passing on confidential information from her politician husband to the secret organization she serves: the Black Doves. But when her lover Jason (Andrew Koji) is murdered, Helen finds herself in a dangerous game of survival.

Her spymaster Reed (Sarah Lancashire) enlists Helen’s estranged boyfriend Sam Young (Ben Whishaw) to protect her. Sam has been keeping a low profile since a botched mission derailed his career. As he returns to a London that has moved on without him, he must confront his past as he works to protect Helen from the threats that surround her.

Black Doves Reviews – Critics love this spy thriller

At the time of writing, Black Doves has a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes from 19 reviews (and that’s pretty impressive for a Netflix original). While this rating may change over time, such a strong start sets the bar incredibly high. And I can guarantee the audience will love it just as much.

Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly said, “The spirited Netflix thriller from Joe Barton (The Lazarus Project) is a remarkably fresh, exciting and laugh-out-loud joke, driven by a sharp comedic sense and highly entertaining performances from stars Ben Whishaw.” and Keira Knightley.”

The Age’s Craig Mathieson, meanwhile, was very impressed: “Black Doves is the British spy thriller I didn’t know I needed.” Because it’s not just a story about covert espionage forces, but also a melancholic examination of the power of Desire.”

According to RogerEbert’s Kaiya Shunyata, “Black Doves” is also a standout film in the genre: “From shootouts to tender confessions of love, Black Doves feels like a revelation in a genre that’s getting more boring with each passing year.”

At this point I just want to mention a few negative reviews for the sake of balance, but considering Black Doves has a perfect 100 percent rating, there are none.

FandomWire’s Matt Hambidge stated it was “a clever, twisty spy thriller. Led by Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw, the star-studded cast enhances an already strong script. And the moral and ethical questions it raises take it from good to great.”

Awards Buzz’s Abe Friedtanzer summed it up: “There are so many spy shows on television, but this action-packed and highly entertaining show is definitely the front runner.”

Should you stream Black Doves on Netflix?

Christmas came early because you can now stream Black Doves on Netflix. The six-episode show has been released in one go so you can enjoy it over the weekend or tonight.

Want more good news? Netflix has already renewed “Black Doves” for a second season, a clear sign that this spy thriller is set to deliver fresh, exciting action this holiday season.

And if you need more to watch, check out what else is new on Netflix this week. You can also check out our guide to everything new coming to Netflix in December 2024, including the second season of Squid Game and a new war drama based on a true story.

Keep streaming “Black Doves.” Netflix at the moment.

More from Tom’s Guide