Killing Eve 2018 Series Review

『Between Revenge and Obsession: A Fierce Psychological Thriller of Destruction and Connection』

🎥 Series Overview

🎬 Title: Killing Eve
🌍 Country: 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🎞️ Genre: Thriller / Drama / Spy / Psychological
🗓️ Production and Broadcast: BBC America, First Aired in 2018
⏳ Seasons: 4
📢 Created by: Phoebe Waller-Bridge et al.
📺 Based on: Luke Jennings’ novel Codename Villanelle

👩‍💼 Main Cast: Sandra Oh – Eve Polastri (MI5 Security Officer)
Jodie Comer – Villanelle / Oksana Astankova (Genius Assassin)

🧩 In-Depth Story Exploration (Spoilers)

💥 Madness and Desire: The Birth of a Female Anti-Hero Narrative

Killing Eve breaks away from the typical spy thriller mold by centering around the mutual obsession between MI5 agent Eve and psychopathic assassin Villanelle. The series goes beyond a simple tale of crime and pursuit, delving into complex themes of female identity, desire, and the dangerous allure between two women.

😊 A Dangerous Journey Toward the ‘True Self’

The central theme of Killing Eve is how both protagonists discover their authentic selves through each other.

• Eve’s Transformation: At first, Eve is a woman trapped in a stable yet monotonous marriage and an uninspiring desk job. Her life is turned upside down by a morbid fascination with Villanelle’s brutal yet creative killing methods. Villanelle becomes both the mirror and catalyst that unleashes Eve’s darker impulses, repressed desires, and latent violence. The title “Killing Eve” signifies not literal murder, but the destruction of Eve’s old self through her obsession, and her rebirth as an anti-heroine.

• Villanelle’s Search for Normalcy: Villanelle longs to escape her psychopathic nature and experience a ‘normal life’. To her, Eve represents stability, normality, and genuine affection. Through their relationship, Villanelle attempts to learn human emotions, embarking on journeys of repentance and reconnection with her past to prove she is not a monster. However, her efforts are repeatedly thwarted by both her own nature and the structural evil embodied by The Twelve.

💘 Eve and Villanelle: ‘Star-Crossed Lovers’

Their relationship transcends simple antagonism or sexuality, becoming a dynamic of love and hate that defies boundaries.

• Mutual Obsession: Eve is drawn to Villanelle’s freedom, charm, and defiance of convention, while Villanelle is captivated by Eve’s intelligence, warmth, and relentless pursuit. They understand each other deeply and share a connection akin to soulmates—something neither can find with anyone else.

• A Deadly Romance: Their interactions are charged with tension, humor, and violence. When Villanelle sends Eve luxury clothing or Eve stabs Villanelle in the Season 1 finale, these acts illustrate their destructive yet intoxicating romance. Their kisses, embraces, and threats embody the most alluring form of forbidden desire.

• Power and Control: The balance of power between them constantly shifts. Who is the hunter and who is the prey? Who holds dominance and who becomes vulnerable? These role reversals maintain the electrifying tension of their relationship.

3. Deconstructing the Spy Genre through a Feminist Lens

Killing Eve reinterprets the male-dominated spy thriller genre by placing complex female characters at its center.

• The Rise of the Female Anti-Hero: The series boldly portrays that women can be violent, morally ambiguous, and driven by selfish desires. From Eve and Villanelle to Carolyn, every woman is depicted as competent, layered, and liberated from conventional femininity (nurture, motherhood).

• Style and Humor: Despite its dark themes, the show incorporates black comedy and Villanelle’s extravagant fashion to create a distinctive tone. Especially under Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s direction in Season 1, the unpredictable dialogue and absurd scenarios deliver explosive humor.

• Progress in Queer Narratives: The drama brings deep emotional and sexual attraction between women to the forefront without overt political messaging. By refusing to marginalize queer identities or rely on clichés, it portrays them as complex expressions of human desire itself.

📺 Overall Impression and Weaknesses

Killing Eve received critical acclaim, particularly for Season 1, which brilliantly captured Eve’s transformation and Villanelle’s unpredictable magnetism. The outstanding chemistry between Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer forms the emotional core of the series.

However, as the seasons progressed, the main plot surrounding ‘The Twelve’ organization became drawn out, and the central relationship fell into repetitive cycles of conflict. Critics noted that the final season ended with the old trope of tragic fates for queer women, disappointing many fans.

Nevertheless, Killing Eve stands as a landmark in 21st-century television for pioneering the female-centered spy drama and for its mesmerizing exploration of the complexity of obsession.

🎯 Personal Rating

💕 Love Scene Intensity: ♥♥♥
⭐ Rating: ★★★★