Netflix is well known for its content from around the world and this time it’s a German series that’s impressing the netizens yet again. We are talking about ‘Kleo’, a literally explosive web series that’s a mix of action, comedy, drama and thriller which, just like its protagonist, can’t be pigeonholed.
‘Kleo’ is proving to be a sleeper hit given its 90s vibes and those chic action moves coupled with quirkiness and style. Released on Netflix on 19th August, the series has been in talks over the internet ever since and is steadily gaining a good word of mouth promotion.
The series follows Top East-German spy Kleo Straub (Jella Haase) who used to conduct missions as a Stasi assassin. Soon after she kills a businessman in West Berlin while on a mission with a secret Stasi commando she’s arrested by the Stasi on spurious claims and denounced by everyone she knows, even her own grandfather.
After serving time for a crime she didn’t commit, Kleo is suddenly free after the fall of the Berlin Wall and returns to find out who is responsible for destroying her life. Her far from silent vendetta causes ripples, and police officer Sven (Dimitrij Schaad) senses the case of his life is about to unfold.
But he’s the least of her worries, as another assassin (Vincent Redetzki) is set on her tail with orders “right from the top”. She soon finds out that the conspiracy against her is much bigger than she could have imagined, and an ominous red suitcase seems to be the missing puzzle piece.
Kleo then sets off on a crusade for revenge, on a hunt that leads her through anarchistic Berlin, improvised electro clubs and Majorcan fincas, and finally into the Atacama Desert. While the conspirators pile up the bodies, the air is getting thinner for Kleo – who can she still trust?
Now if that’s not enthralling, the whole 90s reference and the touch of the techno music makes it more exciting. Whether it’s the gripping plot, the setting, execution, character development or the performances, all speak volumes of the brilliant piece of work ‘Kleo’ is.
The concept and screenplay for ‘Kleo’ are created by the HaRiBo team of writers (‘Para – We Are King’, ‘4 Blocks’) that’s made up of Hanno Hackfort, Richard Kropf and Bob Konrad, who are also showrunners, alongside Elena Senft. Viviane Andereggen (‘Defamed’, ‘The Three Exclamation Marks’) and Jano Ben Chaabane(‘Blind ermittelt – Lebendig begraben’ [Investigating Blind – Buried Alive], ‘Mapa’) serve as the series directors.
‘Kleo’ on Netflix stars Jella Haase, Dimitrij Schaad, Vladimir Burlakov, Thandi Sebe, Marta Sroka, Julius Feldmeier, Jürgen Heinrich, Yun Huang and Vincent Redetzki. ‘Kleo’ is produced by Zeitsprung Pictures and is streaming currently on Netflix. Watch it if you haven’t yet!