Stags

A wild, drug-fuelled stag do ends in disaster in Paramount+ drama Stags when groom-to-be Stu’s (Nico Mirallegro) work friend, Greg (Asim Chaudry), collapses in the airport on their way back to London. Things get worse for the group when the authorities discover that he was trying to smuggle drugs through security and consequently send all of them to prison. However, this facility is unlike any other. Located on an island, this jail functions like its own miniature society. It’s controlled by rival gangs run by two siblings, and when the friends make a bad first impression with one of them early in their stay, their predicament becomes deadlier. As if things weren’t bad enough, there seems to be something sinister lurking underneath the prison. Two episodes into this six-part series, there’s more than enough intrigue to keep viewers eager to find out what comes next.

Beginning with a fast-paced first episode, which continuously escalates the severity of the protagonists’ situation while hinting at grander secrets that are still to be revealed, Stags makes a strong first impression. The script does a superb job of balancing being a crime drama, comedy and even horror to create an arresting atmosphere that sucks viewers into the dangerous world the characters are thrown into.

After the initial set-up is established, the pacing slows down for a second as the characters split up to try and find a way out of their situation. By following multiple subplots, more is unveiled about how life in the prison works and viewers get an opportunity to learn more about the characters, with strong turns from each of the cast outlining the relationships between each of the key players. Even at a slower clip, a collection of unexpected twists takes the plot in exciting new directions. With an early revelation suggesting that at least one of the characters may have had a part to play in their imprisonment, there’s more going on under the surface than just monsters. 

Although there’s still a lot more to come before it can be said if Stags succeeds in fitting all its pieces together, the show’s blend of genres alongside its captivating premise nevertheless gets the opening episodes off to a solid start.

Andrew Murray

Stags is released on Paramount+ on 15^th August 2024.

Watch the trailer for Stags here: