StartUp – Season 3 (2018)
The successful cryptocurrency and darknet platform, ArakNet, faces its biggest threat yet from the US government, led by the ruthless NSA Agent Rebecca Stroud. As the partners expand their global reach, they must decide between protecting user privacy and cooperating with authorities to prevent a catastrophic event. This moral and ethical conflict strains the core leadership, threatening internal collapse.
Length: 7h30m
Genre: Crime drama, Thriller
This Title is: Gritty Tech Thriller, Moral Conflict
Cast
Adam Brody, Edi Gathegi, Otmara Marrero, Ron Perlman, Mira Sorvino
Parental Guidance
Maturity Rating: TV-MA – Strong violence, pervasive language, drug use, and sexual situations.
FAQ
- Is StartUp – Season 3 (2018) Based on a True Story?: No. While inspired by the real-world rise of decentralized digital currency, the characters and main storyline are entirely fictional, created by showrunner Ben Ketai.
- Where was StartUp – Season 3 (2018) filmed?: Filmed entirely in Puerto Rico, primarily in the metropolitan areas of San Juan and Río Grande, which served as convincing stand-ins for Miami, Florida.
- Who Wrote the Soundtrack?: The original music for the series was composed by Chris Hajian and Tristan Clopet.
Filmmaker Profile
The series was created by Ben Ketai, who also wrote and directed several key episodes, including the season finale. Ketai brings a tight, morally ambiguous sensibility to the production, exploring the blurred lines between legitimate commerce and criminal enterprise in the modern tech age and crafting high-tension situations.
Why It’s Worth Watching
The season is highly engaging due to the high-stakes confrontation between the street-smart entrepreneurs and the powerful US government. The tension is palpable as ArakNet expands globally, forcing its leaders to navigate complex geopolitical and moral waters. The introduction of Mira Sorvino’s calculated and formidable antagonist elevates the central thriller elements significantly, ensuring every episode delivers maximum suspense.
Main Character Deep Dive
Ronald Dacey (Edi Gathegi) undergoes a profound transformation from a gang leader to a legitimate businessman and family man. His powerful internal conflict is between the ‘no-snitching’ code of the street and his desperate desire to protect his family and his hard-won prosperity. Gathegi’s exceptional performance captures Ronald’s struggle to maintain his moral integrity in a world that constantly pulls him back to violence and ethical compromise, delivering a truly unforgettable character arc.
Unforgettable Quote
“Privacy is a weapon, and we just handed it to everyone.”
Trivia
- Despite being set in Miami, Florida, the production decided to shoot the entire series in Puerto Rico due to favorable filming incentives and architectural versatility.
- Season 3 marks the introduction of Academy Award-winner Mira Sorvino as the relentless NSA Agent Rebecca Stroud, who becomes the central adversary for the ArakNet founders.
- The season, consisting of ten episodes, was dropped all at once on its original network, Sony Crackle, on November 1, 2018.
Trailer
Stream StartUp – Season 3 (2018) on:
Our Review
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I immediately enjoyed the heightened intensity of the third season. The introduction of Mira Sorvino as the relentless NSA Agent Rebecca Stroud created an exceptional cat-and-mouse game that pushed our main characters to their absolute limits. The writing team succeeded in creating incredibly high stakes, forcing Nick, Ronald, and Izzy to confront deep ethical quandaries about their platform, ArakNet. We watch closely as the core trio grapples with the global success of their unregulated darknet and the serious real-world consequences of absolute user privacy. The performances are excellent, especially Edi Gathegi, who masterfully portrays Ronald’s struggle to keep his family safe while upholding a code of honor. The escalating pressure creates a superb environment for these characters to face betrayal and make impossible choices. This season is a triumph of character evolution and high-octane suspense, making it utterly captivating from start to finish. I particularly appreciate how the story explores the seductive nature of power and wealth.
Who Should Watch This?
Stream it if you enjoy complex crime dramas and tech thrillers that explore moral ambiguity, where the line between criminal and entrepreneur is constantly being tested under intense pressure from the government.
