Taking inspiration from an operation conducted by the government of Israel to smuggle Jewish Ethiopian refugees out of Sudan and into Israel, The Red Sea Diving Resort is a Netflix spy thriller written and directed by Gideon Raff.

Israeli Mossad agent Ari Levinson (Chris Evans) is working with Ethiopian Jew Kabede Bimro (Michael K. Williams) to smuggle refugees into Israel. After being called back to Israel, his superior Ethan Levi (Ben Kingsley) tells his the mission is canceled, but Ari suggests a bold plan. Using a shell company, they will rent a closed down resort and use it to smuggle refugees onto ships to take them to Israel. With help from his team, Rachel Reiter (Haley Bennett), Jake Wolf (Michiel Huisman), Max Rose (Alex Hassell), and the reluctant Dr. Sammy Navon (Alessandro Nivola), they start running the resort and the smuggling operation, dodging inspections from ruthless Sudanese Col. Abdel Ahmed (Chris Chalk) and the nosy CIA Agent Walton Bowen (Greg Kinnear).

I was genuinely impressed with this film. It was well-written, well-paced, and had a compelling plot. While it is based on the real-life Mossad Operation Moses and Operation Joshua, the story is fictional, changing the names and places most likely to protect the people involved in rescuing Ethiopian Jews.

Likewise, I was impressed with the performances, particularly of Evans, Kingsley, and Williams. While everyone did excellent, the three of them had stand out performances in the movie. I would like to also say it was good to see Kinnear back in the saddle. He’s an underrated actor with a lot of talent.

I have to admit, I am surprised that this movie got made. It portrayed Israel in a very positive light while highlighting the atrocities committed by a government under radical Islam. It definitely is not the typically politically correct tripe that is coming out of the entertainment industry these days.

Netflix often gets blasted (deservedly) for their often sub-par entries into cinema history. However, this one stands apart as a unique gem, while imperfect, it is a good movie that delivers on the thrills, performances, and entertainment.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Violence, Foul language, Some nudity

FAVORITE QUOTE: You’re a lucky guy, but when the luck runs out, then you gotta have a plan and you never have one.

Check out the trailer below:

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, or novel you would like me to review. While you are at it, here my thoughts on William Shatner’s reaction to a Quentin Tarantino Star Trek movie. Also, check out my review of the film American Hangman. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.

Did you know my new fantasy novel “The Seven Royals: All Good Things” is now available on Barnes and Noble and Amazon? You can get your e-book copy at BookLocker.

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