Invasion
"The threat has evolved."
A Apple TV Original
Earth is suddenly visited by an alien force that threatens humanity's survival. The story unfolds in real time as five ordinary people across the world confront the chaos and try to make sense of what is happening around them. Aneesha Malik, Mitsuki Yamato, Trevante Cole, Jamila Huston, and Clark... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: January 29, 2026
About Invasion
Earth is suddenly visited by an alien force that threatens humanity's survival. The story unfolds in real time as five ordinary people across the world confront the chaos and try to make sense of what is happening around them. Aneesha Malik, Mitsuki Yamato, Trevante Cole, Jamila Huston, and Clark Evans become the focal points, each dealing with sudden danger, disrupted routines, and the collapse of the familiar. The series tightens its lens on how individuals react under pressure, how rumors spread, and how small decisions can ripple outward in a crisis that defies borders. By keeping the pace tight and the stakes personal, it builds a panoramic yet intimate portrait of a planet under threat. The narrative emphasizes ordinary responses under extraordinary pressure, from street level to government briefings, avoiding melodrama in favor of plausible, human reactions.
Created by Simon Kinberg and David Weil, Invasion debuted in 2021 on Apple TV+ as a globe spanning science fiction drama. The series features an international cast and a collaborative, multi director approach that mirrors its world scale. It signals a TV style that leans toward intimate character moments as the planet teeters.
Critics noted the show for its ambitious structure and grounded performances, while some found the pacing uneven. Its core themes spotlight resilience and cooperation in the face of planetary peril, exploring how fear can strain relationships yet also prompt unexpected acts of solidarity. Performance choices help sell the uncertainty and fear.
By presenting danger through five simultaneous lives across continents, the series underscored a global vantage on invasion that few dramas have matched. The format seeded conversation about how big events shape everyday choices and highlighted the value of diverse perspectives in sci fi. It also sparked discussions about how global problems require local acts.
Awards: The series did not score major nominations from the industry heavyweight awards, but it drew praise for its ambition and performances. Its cross cultural cast and real time storytelling earned it recognition among fans of ambitious science fiction. Some viewers noted its consistent ambition and strong ensemble as redeeming qualities.
What Viewers Are Saying
Viewers are divided on "Invasion," with some appreciating the strong acting, impressive visual effects, and engaging storytelling that maintain tension despite slow pacing. However, a significant portion of the audience criticizes the show for its sluggish narrative, lack of compelling characters, and an overemphasis on melodramatic human drama rather than sci-fi elements. Many find the plot confusing or uninspiring, with some comparing it unfavorably to other alien invasion stories. Overall, reception is mixed but leans toward disappointment for those expecting a traditional science fiction experience.
Details
- Release Date
- October 21, 2021
- Episode Length
- 56m
- Rating
- TV-MA
- User Ratings
- 1,125 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Seasons
- 3
- Episodes
- 30
- Network
- Apple TV
- Status
- Returning Series
- Genres
- Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- Genre Films +2 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Golshifteh Farahani
Aneesha Malik
Shioli Kutsuna
Mitsuki Yamato
Shamier Anderson
Trevante Cole
India Brown
Jamila Huston
Enver Gjokaj
Clark Evans
Shane Zaza
Nikhil Kapur
Erika Alexander
Verna
Created by: Simon Kinberg, David Weil
Seasons (3 seasons, 30 episodes)
Season 1
10 episodes - 2021
Season 2
10 episodes - 2023
Season 3
10 episodes - 2025