Review: Peacock’s M.I.A. Is a Stylish Revenge Thriller Worth Watching

Forget the sunscreen and the tourist traps; Peacock is taking us to a side of Miami that smells less like coconut oil and more like high-octane gasoline and regret. The streamer’s latest offering, M.I.A., landed on our screens this week, promising a gritty, sun-drenched dive into the criminal underbelly of the Florida Keys. Created by Bill Dubuque, the man who made us all terrified of Missouri lakes in Ozark, this new series swaps the foggy Ozarks for the neon-soaked streets of Magic City. With a premise built on a blood-soaked quest for vengeance and a cast that actually looks like they’ve spent a day in the humidity, M.I.A. attempts to stake its claim in the crowded "prestige crime" neighborhood.

The story centers on Etta Tiger Jonze, played with a simmering, quiet intensity by Shannon Gisela. Etta isn’t your typical girl-next-door; her family’s business involves a bit more "extracurricular" maritime activity than your average fishing charter. When a cartel hit wipes out her entire lineage, Etta doesn't just go to the police, partly because that would make for a very short, boring show, and partly because she’s busy crafting a hit list that would make Arya Stark blush. She reinvents herself as she infiltrates the very underworld that destroyed her life, aiming to pick off the men responsible one by one.

What works here is the atmosphere. The show captures that specific, sticky Florida heat where everyone looks like they need a shower and a cold drink. It’s a "Miami noir" that feels authentic to the region’s melting pot of cultures, moving beyond the postcard-perfect South Beach shots to the jagged edges of the Keys and the gritty industrial pockets of the city. Cary Elwes pops up as Kincaid, a detective who feels like he wandered out of a Carl Hiaasen novel, quirky, slightly unhinged and the perfect foil to Etta’s cold-blooded mission.

Is it perfect? Not quite. However, Gisela’s performance anchors the show, turning what could have been a standard revenge flick into something more psychological and interesting.

If you’re looking for a binge-worthy escape that’s equal parts stylish and cynical, M.I.A. is worth the data. It’s a humid, violent, and surprisingly smart addition to the Peacock roster that understands the best way to serve revenge is in a neon-lit bar with a side of salt. Head over to the comments after you binge and let us know if Etta’s journey is hitting the mark for you, or if you’re ready to jump ship.