Stories from the world of video games that come to the movie screen are always interesting. Now, Prime Video has brought you Secret Level, an animated series that is one such amazing journey! Fans are excited to know that Hollywood stars like Keanu Reeves, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Kevin Hart have joined the series as voice artists. Let's take a look at this series!
What is Secret Level?
Secret Level is an adult animated series streaming on Prime Video. It is an anthology, meaning that each episode is in a standalone format that tells a new story. Each story takes place in the world of popular video games. Games like Pac-Man, Dungeons & Dragons, Mega Man, Warhammer 40,000, and Armored Core are part of this series.
The series was created by Deadpool director Tim Miller and executive produced by Dave Wilson of Love, Death + Robots fame. The first eight episodes of the 15-episode series were released on December 10, 2024, and the rest on December 17, 2024. It became the top animated series on Prime Video in its first week of release with 155.3 million minutes of viewing time. With this huge success, a second season was also greenlit!
Star-studded cast
The voice cast of Secret Level is a surprise. The prominent actors in it are:
Keanu Reeves: John Wick star Keanu Reeves voices a junkie mech pilot in the episode Armored Core: Asset Management. His voice brings the episode to life.
Arnold Schwarzenegger: He lent his majestic voice to the role of King Aelstrom in the New World: The Once and Future King episode.
Kevin Hart: He was part of the PlayStation theme episode with his daughter Heaven Hart.
Other actors: Temura Morrison, Ariana Greenblatt, Emily Swallow, Gabriel Luna, Ricky Whittle, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Meryl Dandridge, Claudia Doumit, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, etc. have also lent their voices to the series.
So many stars in one series! This makes Secret Level an extraordinary experience.
Keanu Reeves is a show stealer
The Armored Core episode starring Keanu Reeves is the most impressive part of the series. In this episode, he plays a mech pilot in a dystopian world. The character is an augmented human who experiences intense physical and mental stress while synchronizing with the mech.
Reeves was so dedicated to the role that he recorded for 13 hours straight, even with a broken knee! “He wouldn’t leave the set. He would smoke a cigarette and say, ‘Let’s do it again!’” says executive producer Dave Wilson. This dedication makes it easy to see why Reeves is everyone’s favorite star.
Reeves previously voiced Johnny Silverhand in the game Cyberpunk 2077. While that was a rebellious, free-spirited character, here in Secret Level his character is filled with loneliness and conflict. The episode ends with his character raising thought-provoking questions about his identity and existence. Reeves' voice made this episode an unforgettable experience.
The success of the series, the response of the fans
The first season of Secret Level attracted both game fans and general audiences. The episodes Armored Core and Warhammer 40,000 received particular praise. Some appreciated the quality of the animation and the star cast, but some felt that the stories could have been stronger. However, the series proved that there is a demand for video game-based content.
After game adaptations like Fallout and The Last of Us, Secret Level is a step forward in prime video gaming content. Fans are looking forward to seeing new games and more interesting stories in the second season.
Finally...
Secret Level impressed everyone with its stars, excellent animation, and stories from the world of video games. Especially Keanu Reeves' Armored Core episode is a special treat for fans. With stars like Arnold and Kevin Hart, this series is a feast for gaming and movie fans.