The Copenhagen Test drops today on Peacock with Simu Liu in a mind-bending spy thriller. Early reviews are celebrating a smart, twisty espionage drama that blends cutting-edge sci-fi concepts with character-driven storytelling.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Premiere Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025, exclusively on Peacock
- Episode Count: All 8 episodes drop at once for binge-watching
- Creator: Thomas Brandon with executive producer James Wan
- Cast: Simu Liu and Melissa Barrera lead, with Brian d’Arcy James, Mark O’Brien, and Kathleen Chalfant as regulars
Who Is Alexander Hale and What’s His Nightmare?
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Simu Liu plays Alexander Hale, a Chinese-American first-generation intelligence analyst working for a shadowy government agency known as The Orphanage. His world shatters when he discovers his brain has been hacked, giving unknown parties direct access to his senses and thoughts.
Caught in an impossible position, Hale must navigate a psychological minefield between government authorities and dangerous hackers. He’s forced to act normal while trying to uncover who infiltrated his mind and why. This high-stakes premise drives the entire 8-episode arc, creating a tense atmosphere of paranoia and espionage.
What Critics Are Saying About the Peacock Thriller
| Review Source | Key Takeaway |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 75% – “Peacock’s The Copenhagen Test is SpyFy-light, sleek and fun” |
| Metacritic | 61 points – “Engaging entertainment with sci-fi edge” and strong lead performance |
| Collider | 8/10 – “Twisty spy thriller” with solid performances from both leads |
| LA Times | “Twists itself into knots answering: Who can you trust?” |
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Critics consistently praise “Simu Liu” for anchoring the series with a commanding, character-driven performance. Peacock’s official synopsis notes that Liu brings “action chops” to the role while handling the psychological complexity of a man questioning reality itself.
Melissa Barrera co-stars alongside Liu in this espionage drama created by Thomas Brandon. The chemistry between the leads creates believable tension and compelling character dynamics. The Hollywood Reporter notes the series “takes too long to uncover the fun stuff,” suggesting pacing issues in earlier episodes, but the payoff justifies patience.
The Copenhagen Test Dives Into Paranoia and Trust
The central question driving the narrative is deceptively simple: “What if your eyes and ears were hacked?” This sci-fi thriller explores themes of psychological manipulation, identity, and the impossibility of determining truth when perception itself becomes weaponized.
Collider confirms “The Copenhagen Test is an engaging and twisty spy thriller with a sci-fi edge.” Critics note the show favors paranoia over procedural rigor, prioritizing character psychology over hard thriller mechanics. Wall Street Journal reviewers point out the show “may seem disjointed” at times, but that disorientation serves the narrative about a man losing grip on reality.
Where Does The Copenhagen Test Stand Among Peacock Originals?
As a streaming original from James Wan’s company, The Copenhagen Test sits comfortably in Peacock’s growing library of ambitious prestige projects. The December 27, 2025 release gives subscribers weekend binge material during the holiday break.
Early reactions suggest this is Simu Liu’s “Plan B” answer to roles he likely won’t get in major franchises—a smart, character-driven thriller where he’s the undeniable lead. Peacock subscribers looking for espionage drama with sci-fi twists will find plenty to chew on. The 8-episode format makes it manageable for weekend viewing, and the twisty narrative structure ensures plenty of water-cooler discussion potential.
Should You Stream The Copenhagen Test Today?
If you’re drawn to paranoia-driven thrillers with high-concept sci-fi premises, Simu Liu has delivered a worthy vehicle that critics are calling both “engagement” and “entertaining.” The 75% Rotten Tomatoes score and 8/10 Collider rating suggest solid entertainment value. Peacock subscribers get all 8 episodes immediately on December 27, making it perfect for immersive binge-watching during the holiday weekend.
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.