What makes a heist story truly unforgettable? Is it the meticulous planning, the heart-pounding execution, or the nerve-wracking aftermath? Apple TV's new crime drama 12 12 12 boldly attempts to explore all three phases simultaneously, creating a narrative experience that's as ambitious as the heist itself. With Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan leading the charge, this festive-set thriller offers plenty of suspense, even if its unconventional structure sometimes works against it.
A Triple Timeline Gamble
The series kicks off each episode with Mackie's FBI agent Jack Strickland laying out the rules: a successful heist takes 12 months of planning, 12 hours to execute, and if the thieves aren't caught within 12 days, they never will be. From there, 12 12 12 weaves together three distinct timelines—the months of preparation, the hours of the heist itself, and the days of pursuit that follow. It's a clever conceit that allows the show to explore every angle of the crime, but it also creates a structural challenge that the series doesn't always overcome.
Dornan and Mackie Anchor the Chaos
Jamie Dornan delivers a compelling performance as Paul Galvin, a master thief trying to leave his criminal past behind in France with his partner Severine (Agathe Rousselle). But when his reckless brother Bobby (Jack Kesy) drags him into a dangerous job targeting a Russian mob family, Paul finds himself back in the game. Dornan brings a conflicted intensity to the role, making Paul both brilliant and frustratingly human. Meanwhile, Mackie's Strickland is a relentless, haunted agent whose personal history with the Galvins fuels his obsessive pursuit. Mackie walks a fine line, making Strickland's abrasive nature compelling rather than off-putting.
Where the Heist Stumbles
While the "before" and "after" timelines are rich with character development and psychological depth, the "during" sequences often feel like a drag. Since the show's premise reveals early on that the heist succeeds, the execution scenes lack the tension they need. The pacing picks up in the final episodes when a late-game twist raises the stakes, but by then, some viewers may have lost patience. The series also struggles to give its talented supporting cast—including Sallie Harmsen, José García, and Kali Reis—enough to do, leaving several promising characters underutilized.
A Festive Setting That Fades
Despite its holiday backdrop, 12 12 12 doesn't lean heavily into the Christmas atmosphere, which feels like a missed opportunity. The cinematography is solid, and director Kari Skogland brings a confident hand to the proceedings, but the visual distinction between timelines is minimal. That said, the show's strengths lie in its character work and the cat-and-mouse dynamic between Dornan and Mackie. For fans of underrated Apple TV thrillers, this one deserves a look.
The Aftermath Is the Best Part
Where 12 12 12 truly shines is in its "after" timeline, which transforms the series into a taut crime drama. The 12-day manhunt gives Mackie's Strickland room to flex his ruthless determination, and the psychological battle between him and Dornan's Paul becomes the show's emotional core. It's in these moments that 12 12 12 transcends its heist-thriller trappings and becomes something more intimate and gripping.
While the series may not reinvent the genre, it's a solid addition to Apple TV's growing roster of crime dramas. With strong lead performances and a clever narrative hook, 12 12 12 is worth a binge for fans of suspenseful thrillers. Just don't expect the heist itself to be the highlight—it's the journey before and after that makes this one tick.
