The Serpent (2021)

The Serpent has the kind of scrappy, straight-ahead energy that reminds you why spy thrillers can be so much fun: a capable operative betrayed from within, forced to turn survival into strategy and vengeance into momentum. Gia Skova, directing and starring, gives Lucinda Kavsky a steely, determined presence that carries the film through its globe-trotting intrigue and sudden bursts of action, while the story keeps tightening the screws as loyalties collapse and the conspiracy widens. The vibe is lean, pulpy, and conspiratorial—more midnight-movie espionage than polished franchise spectacle—so if you’re craving slick gadgetry and quippy banter, this may not be your flavor. But if you want a brisk, revenge-fueled CIA backstabber with attitude and forward drive, it’s an easy one to queue up.

The Serpent is clearly aiming for slick, globe-trotting spy-action with a wronged super-agent turning the tables on her own agency, and there’s an earnest commitment to that revenge-fantasy vibe. Unfortunately, the execution is where it falls apart: choppy editing, shaky continuity, and murky storytelling make it hard to follow what’s happening or why it matters, which drains tension from the action instead of building it. If you need coherent plotting, clean scene-to-scene logic, and professional pacing, this will likely feel like a frustrating mess rather than a guilty pleasure. If you’re more forgiving and just want a low-budget, chaotic espionage ride with occasional attitude and energy, you might find a few moments to enjoy—just don’t expect polish.