'Star Trek: Section 31' Burns All of its Assets

Black Ops? You'd Hardly Know...

Seriously. By the time Section 31’s 100-minute runtime is up, this version of Starfleet’s shadowy espionage group has made so much noise and created such chaos that it’s no surprise the organization ends up as little more than a ghost in the 24th century.

The Plot:

Star Trek: Section 31 marks the highly anticipated return of Academy Award-winner Michelle Yeoh, reprising her role as ex-Terran Emperor and former Section 31 agent Philippa Georgiou. Following her timeline-resetting journey with the Guardian of Forever, Georgiou is pulled back into the black-ops organization under complicated circumstances. However, true to form, she doesn't exactly play by the rules.

The story sets up intriguing stakes, with high-level espionage and morally ambiguous decisions aplenty. Unfortunately, what could have been a tightly-wound spy thriller ends up veering into chaotic territory.

The Film:

The movie starts off strong, with a gripping prologue that showcases a pivotal moment in Georgiou’s life, expertly performed by Miku Martineau as a younger version of the character. It’s intense, unsettling, and sets expectations for a dark, daring film.

But that hope fades quickly. Section 31 completely nose dives and never recovers, and there's nothing that Michelle Yeoh or some other talented members of this cast can do to salvage it.

The narrative shifts gears—and keeps shifting, seemingly every ten minutes. It’s like the film can’t decide what it wants to be. At times, it feels like an intergalactic heist movie. Then it’s a murder mystery. Then it’s an action-heavy, high-stakes battle. Each idea has potential, but the lack of focus gives the movie a dizzying, uneven feel, with little of Star Trek’s DNA shining through. And none of those influences mentioned above fully land. There's definitely an identity crisis when it comes to Section 31; call it the Long Island Iced Tea of Trek films.

Section 31 is built around covert operations, subterfuge, and deep layers of intrigue. Yet, the film seems determined to trade subtlety for spectacle, sacrificing the very elements that make the organization fascinating. The fast pace leaves little room for meaningful character development or emotional stakes, which is a shame given the potential of its cast.

The final act does show glimmers of entertainment, thanks largely to the banter between Kacey Rohl’s Rachel Garrett and Sam Richardson’s Quasi, who bring some much-needed energy and humor to the story. Rohl, in particular, deserves credit for turning an otherwise dull final 30 minutes into a comedic highlight. Still, even the climactic fight between Georgiou and the film’s shell of a villain feels underwhelming—more of a box-checking exercise than a truly compelling showdown.

Sven Ruygrok as Fuzz, Kacey Rohl as Rachel, Sam Richardson as Quasi, Michelle Yeoh as Georgiou, Rob Kazinsky as Zeph and Omari Hardwick as Alok in Star Trek: Section 31 streaming on Paramount+, 2024.  Photo Credit: Michael Gibson/Paramount+

The Cast/Characters:

Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh):
It's no secret that Michelle Yeoh is a big reason Section 31 came to fruition. Not only is she the star of the film, but she also serves as an executive producer. Her star power is undeniable, but the script doesn’t give Yeoh the material she deserves. This version of Georgiou feels like a shadow of the sharp, complex character we came to know in Star Trek: Discovery, and her relationship with San—a character who feels shoehorned in—strays into uncharacteristic territory. This is a Georgiou who feels out of sync with the one we’ve come to know and love. Moments of her trademark ruthlessness and wit shine through, but they’re often drowned out by the muddled storytelling.

Alok Sahar (Omari Hardwick):
Sahar, the leader of the Section 31 team, is a character brimming with potential. Hints at his fascinating backstory are briefly explored but never fully developed. Hardwick gives a solid performance, but like much of the cast, he’s underserved by the script.

Quasi (Sam Richardson):
Sam Richardson brings much-needed levity and charm to the film. His portrayal of a shapeshifting Chameloid offers moments of humor and heart, especially during the film’s final act. Quasi feels like the most fully-realized character in the ensemble, with a buddy-cop dynamic that injects some much-needed energy into the third act.

Rachel Garrett (Kacey Rohl):
Kacey Rohl’s Rachel Garrett is one of the movie’s few bright spots. Her performance exudes confidence and charisma, and she shines in her interactions with Richardson’s Quasi. Despite the chaotic plot, Rohl makes the most of her screen time, delivering a memorable and nuanced performance.

Zeph (Robert Kazinsky)
Zeph is a textbook “muscle” character with little depth. He’s serviceable in action sequences but lacks any real development or impact on the story.

Fuzz (Sven Ruygrok)
The less said about Fuzz, the better. Without delving into spoiler territory, he’s saddled with overly complex dialogue that quickly becomes grating.

Melle (Humberly González)
The inclusion of a Deltan character should have been a highlight, but Melle is reduced to a tropey, underutilized role.

Final Verdict:

While Section 31 boasts a stellar cast and intriguing setup, it struggles to find its footing. What could have been a gritty, cerebral exploration of Starfleet’s most secretive organization ends up feeling like a hodgepodge of genres and ideas that never fully gel, ultimately failing as an entry in Star Trek's film library. The plot feels rushed and disjointed, the characters underdeveloped, and the overall tone inconsistent. Even the technical elements, like the sound mix and score, fall short of expectations. The cast does its best to elevate the material, and there are glimmers of something in some performances, but they can’t overcome the film’s scattershot execution.

For Trekkies, Section 31 will likely feel like a missed opportunity. And for newcomers drawn in by Michelle Yeoh’s star power, it’s hard to say whether this film will leave them eager to explore the wider Star Trek universe—or reaching for the remote to find something else.

Star Trek: Section 31 debuts tomorrow on Paramount Plus, but whether it lives up to the franchise’s legacy is another story.