FUBAR ★★
Constituent: Nick Santora
Address: Phil Abraham, Holly Dale
Distribution: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Monica Barbaro, Jay Baruchel, Aparna Brielle
Country: United States of America
Duration: 45 to 57 minutes (8 episodes)
Year: 2023
The first fictional series led by Schwarzenegger marks a playful tribute to a career built on action while skewering it with affectionate humor. It echoes a revival of eighties and nineties friendship-centered thrillers that paired formidable figures with unlikely allies. Classics like Red Heat and The Twins Hit Twice come to mind, with FUBAR pitching a different dynamic by pairing a father and daughter instead of a romantic couple. Whether the Cameron-inspired remake will find broader appeal than the original remains an open question.
The title FUBAR comes from military slang and stands for a situation that is heavily damaged or beyond recognition. The show leans into lighthearted jokes about the lead character and the actor who plays him. Schwarzenegger remains fit at seventy-five, and the series even compresses a decade to fit its plotting needs. CIA agent Luke Brunner has not retired yet, but he is edging toward a freedom that would let him chase his boldest mission: rescuing his ex-wife Sally around the globe on a new vessel that is not simply a boat, as fans have joked.
Yet Brunner’s path is crowded with danger. The rescue of an active spy operating within a Guyanese paramilitary world, whose former leader was beheaded twenty-five years ago, frames the high-stakes mission. Boro Poland, the megalomaniac son of that fallen leader, now pulls the strings and is about to discover the mole’s existence. Only Brunner, who once supported and attempted to rescue Boro in the past, can pull off both the covert rescue and a plan to halt the sale of a portable weapon of mass destruction to the highest bidder or the worst possible buyer. The mission intensifies as the clock ticks and the threat grows in scale.
The drama of the plot thickens when the person in need of rescue turns out to be Brunner’s own daughter, Emma. He discovers this only after arriving at the scene. Monica Barbaro carries Emma with a mix of seriousness and wit that keeps the dynamic from tipping into mere sentiment. Emma is not pleased to learn that her father pretended to be a gym equipment salesman, a ruse used to shield the truth from the family. The show embraces a modern blend of friendship, family tension, and action, placing both boomer and millennial perspectives in a shared frame. Father and daughter must learn to accept their differences and recognize a deeper bond that connects them at their core.
Nick Santora, known for the tech thriller Scorpion, seems to be aiming for a lively mix of action, humor, and occasional compassion, all without taking itself too seriously. The balance works best when the focus rests on the palpable chemistry between Schwarzenegger and Barbaro. The duo delivers the strongest moments, with Emma’s impersonation of Luke through a playful plush doll offering a genuine laugh. The tension around family dynamics and identity adds a surprising layer to the action, even if some scenes lean into clichés.
As the series unfolds, the partnership between the two leads becomes the engine of the show. Schwarzenegger’s iconic presence and Barbaro’s quick-witted performance create a compelling counterpoint. The humor lands more when the narrative concentrates on their banter than on overproduced action set pieces. A few funny moments arise from pop culture nods and self-referential jokes that fans will recognize. Still, the best lines come from the real heart of the story — a father and daughter navigating danger, trust, and a complicated love for family.
Overall, FUBAR offers a spirited blend of adrenaline and warmth. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it satisfies cravings for sharp dialogue, fast pacing, and a few tender beats amid the chaos. The series leans into its core premise with a confident rhythm, delivering moments of genuine laughter and occasional reflection. In the end, the success hinges on the friction and rapport between Schwarzenegger and Barbaro, which resonates with audiences who enjoy action-driven stories seasoned by real emotional stakes.