FUBAR Season 2 Review: More Spy Mayhem with Extra Sparks
Netflix unleashed FUBAR Season 2 on June 12, 2025, bringing back Arnold Schwarzenegger and his dysfunctional CIA family for another round of action-comedy chaos. This season raises the stakes, introducing bigger threats, new characters, and deeper personal conflicts, while maintaining the series’ signature blend of absurd spycraft and family drama. As the plot thickens and fan reactions pour in, the series continues to entertain viewers who embrace its campy charm, while critics dissect its flaws.
The Plot Thickens: A Global Crisis Unfolds
Season 2 opens just days after the explosive finale of Season 1. Luke Brunner, played by Schwarzenegger, and his daughter Emma, portrayed by Monica Barbaro, take refuge in a CIA safe house after their covert identities become public. Alongside the rest of their team, they face a fresh global crisis. The team intercepts intelligence about Dante Cress, a notorious terrorist mastermind intent on crippling the United States by launching a devastating attack on the country’s power grid.
Luke deciphers the mysterious “Greta Code,” which leads them into a race against time. The mission sends them across international borders, diving into high-risk scenarios involving double agents, nuclear threats, and unexpected betrayals. As Luke and Emma scramble to stop Cress, they face not only professional danger but also unresolved personal issues that threaten their fragile family ties.
Arnold’s Return: Classic Action Meets Aging Spy
Schwarzenegger steps back into the action hero role that defined his career. He delivers punchlines with the same dry wit that his fans expect, while embracing the role of an aging operative who struggles to balance work and family. Rather than attempt to recreate his youth, Schwarzenegger leans into the reality of his age, portraying a veteran spy who faces both physical limitations and emotional vulnerabilities.
This grounded approach enhances the character. Viewers watch Luke Brunner grapple with his broken marriage, damaged relationship with his daughter, and a new romantic entanglement that complicates his mission. His chemistry with Monica Barbaro creates a believable father-daughter dynamic that drives much of the season’s emotional weight.
New Faces, New Complications
Season 2 expands its cast with some powerful additions. Carrie-Anne Moss joins the series as Greta Nelso, Luke’s former lover and a fellow spy whose reappearance adds both romantic tension and professional rivalry. Moss brings gravitas and depth, infusing the series with a more mature espionage angle.
Guy Burnet steps in as Theodore “Theo” Chips, a seemingly helpful MI6 agent who quickly emerges as the season’s main antagonist. Theo, who reveals himself as the true Dante Cress, injects a much-needed twist into the plot. This reveal surprises the characters and forces them to rethink their strategy as they confront one of their most dangerous enemies yet.
While these new characters enrich the narrative, they also create crowded storylines that occasionally feel overstuffed. Balancing the returning ensemble with fresh additions challenges the pacing, and not every subplot receives equal attention.
Family Drama Takes Center Stage
The show balances its espionage elements with strong family-centered storytelling. Luke’s unresolved romantic feelings for Tally resurface, complicating his emotional state as the team fights to stay alive. Meanwhile, Emma juggles her own romantic struggles, her commitment to the CIA, and her complicated bond with her father.
The family bickering inside the CIA safe house brings levity to otherwise tense moments. These domestic arguments, layered with high-stakes spycraft, highlight one of the show’s strengths: blending family dysfunction with world-saving missions. This dynamic makes the characters relatable, even as they navigate extreme circumstances.
The season also introduces Roo’s promotion to CIA regional director, adding new layers of authority and responsibility within the team. These personal developments expand the show beyond simple action sequences, giving viewers multiple emotional threads to follow.
Action-Packed Set Pieces and Comedic Beats
Season 2 wastes no time escalating the action. High-speed chases, elaborate fight scenes, and daring escapes punctuate nearly every episode. Explosions, shootouts, and last-minute rescues fuel the adrenaline rush that action fans crave.
Yet the show never takes itself too seriously. Schwarzenegger delivers his signature one-liners, while the ensemble cast contributes moments of lighthearted humor that soften the intensity. Fortune Feimster, Travis Van Winkle, and Milan Carter offer comic relief that often steals scenes, adding levity to the otherwise life-threatening missions.
The show introduces memorable sequences, including Emma’s paintball training exercise, a scene that showcases the characters’ playful competitiveness while preparing for real danger. Another standout moment features puppets explaining CIA operations, offering an unexpected but surprisingly charming detour into absurdity.
Critical Reception: Divided Opinions
Critics responded to Season 2 with mixed reviews. Some praised its nostalgic charm and self-aware humor, while others criticized its inconsistent tone and bloated plotlines. Review aggregators reflect this divide, with critics scoring the season moderately and audience scores leaning more positive.
Reviewers who embraced the show’s silliness highlighted its entertainment value. They appreciated the balance of action and humor, the father-daughter dynamic, and the retro spy vibes that pay homage to Schwarzenegger’s iconic career. Carrie-Anne Moss received particular praise for elevating the espionage intrigue and adding a layer of sophistication to the story.
Others pointed out flaws in pacing and character development. Some felt the comedic timing faltered, with jokes occasionally interrupting serious moments and disrupting emotional beats. The influx of side characters created narrative clutter that pulled focus from the central storyline. Critics argued that while the show offered moments of genuine fun, it never fully committed to either serious spy drama or outright parody.
Fan Response: A Comforting Escape
Despite critical reservations, many fans embraced the season for what it delivers: escapist entertainment. Viewers described it as “dumb fun” and acknowledged its flaws without letting them diminish their enjoyment. Schwarzenegger’s return to the action genre, combined with the show’s lighthearted tone, satisfied audiences seeking a casual, enjoyable binge.
Social media discussions celebrated favorite scenes, like Luke and Greta’s flirtatious reunion, Emma’s emotional confrontations with her father, and the shocking final showdown with Theo Cress. Fans praised the cast’s chemistry and expressed hope for a third season, eager to see unresolved storylines continue.
Season 3 Prospects: A Cliffhanger Ending
The season ends with a dramatic cliffhanger. The team successfully prevents a nuclear disaster, but at great personal cost. Greta sacrifices herself to save Luke, and the true scale of Dante Cress’s network remains uncertain. These unresolved threads suggest plenty of material for a potential Season 3.
Netflix has yet to announce a renewal, but strong viewership numbers and fan enthusiasm may tip the scales. The streaming platform often monitors audience engagement in the weeks following a release before committing to new seasons.
Conclusion: FUBAR Season 2 Delivers Familiar Thrills
FUBAR Season 2 doesn’t reinvent the spy genre. Instead, it delivers exactly what its audience expects: action-packed sequences, family squabbles, light comedy, and nostalgic charm, all anchored by Schwarzenegger’s undeniable screen presence. While flaws in pacing, character depth, and tonal balance prevent the show from reaching critical acclaim, its heart remains in the right place.
For viewers seeking a fun, fast-paced escape into a world of spies, explosions, and complicated family dinners, FUBAR Season 2 delivers. Schwarzenegger proves once again that even decades after his action-hero prime, he can still command the screen and entertain fans around the world.
