Hijack season 2 keeps the tension and Idris Elba’s screen power, but most critics and early viewers see it as a solid yet less essential follow‑up that never quite matches the freshness of season 1.

Quick Scoop

  • Verdict: Slick, watchable hostage thriller with strong performances, but the “one‑more‑ride” premise feels thinner and more predictable than before.
  • Score vibe: Most reviews land around “perfectly fine but not great” – think 3/5 or “B‑minus thriller comfort food”.
  • Best part: Idris Elba still completely owns the screen as Sam Nelson and carries a lot of the emotional weight.
  • Biggest downside: Recycled formula, some questionable character decisions, and a shortage of genuinely surprising, earned twists.

What’s new in season 2?

  • The action moves from a hijacked plane to a Berlin underground train , swapping the suffocating plane cabin for dark tunnels, cramped carriages, and a more maze‑like setting.
  • The story takes place about two years after Flight KA29 , with Sam pulled into another life‑or‑death crisis rather than being a random victim this time.
  • Authorities work above ground to decode what’s happening while passengers and Sam try to survive below, mirroring the dual structure of season 1 but in a new environment.

The core pitch is basically: “What if Hijack, but on a train now?” – and the show leans hard into that idea.

Does it actually work?

What critics liked

  • Tension & pacing: The premiere and early episodes are called “shocking”, “chaotic” and “occasionally gripping,” with cliffhangers that make it easy to binge.
  • Idris Elba’s performance: Reviewers agree he’s still magnetic; Sam’s morality is murkier this time, giving him more complicated, sometimes questionable choices to play.
  • Production values: Polished visuals, sharp sound design, and slick staging keep it feeling premium even when the writing is familiar.

Where it falls short

  • Over‑familiar formula: Many reviews say it feels like a remixed version of season 1 rather than a story that truly needed a sequel.
  • Predictable “mapped‑out” ending: Some critics note that the final destination is too clearly signposted; the show rarely pushes for truly bold choices.
  • Thin character work: Several outlets point out that characters feel like chess pieces or genre tropes more than fully human, which makes the show feel a bit “soulless”.

One review sums it up as “perfectly passable”: great lead, strong surface tension, but missing the deeper emotional spark that would make it unforgettable.

Season 1 vs Season 2

[7] [1][8][5] [7] [1][3][5] [9][7] [3][5][1][9] [1][7] [5][3][1] [7][9] [3][5][9][1]
Aspect Season 1 Season 2
Setting Single hijacked plane, pure claustrophobic sky‑thriller.Hijacked Berlin underground train, mixing tunnels and city‑level response.
Tension Often described as exhausting, edge‑of‑seat, with unbearable stakes.Still tense, especially early on, but seen as less sustained and more uneven.
Originality Fresh one‑off premise that felt self‑contained.Feels like a repeat of the formula in a new vehicle, not fully justified.
Sam Nelson Seen more clearly as the capable “good guy” negotiator.Morally murkier, with personal motives that complicate how you feel about him.
Overall reception Generally stronger enthusiasm and surprise factor.Mixed‑positive: enjoyable but noticeably less special.

Forum & fan chatter

  • On TV and Apple TV+–focused forums, the main threads praise Elba and the fast pacing but echo the “this should’ve stayed a one‑season show” sentiment.
  • Some fans enjoy the comfort of a formula thriller with a big star, while others nitpick character decisions and the convenience of Sam stumbling into yet another hijack scenario.

A recurring reaction: “I had fun, but it felt like a really good airport novel – intense while it lasts, not something I’ll think about for weeks.”

TL;DR for your “Hijack season 2 review” search:
Worth a watch if you liked season 1 and just want more high‑polish, fast‑paced hostage drama, especially for Idris Elba; just temper expectations, because most people see it as gripping but ultimately average thriller TV rather than must‑see event viewing.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.