The latest installment in the Star Trek universe, Star Trek: Section 31, delivers a high-energy mix of espionage, humor, and action, proving that a non-theatrical release can still pack a cinematic punch. Premiering on Paramount Plus nearly a decade after Star Trek Beyond, this film offers a fresh take on the franchise’s covert operations, led by the incomparable Michelle Yeoh.
Michelle Yeoh’s portrayal of Captain Philippa Georgiou in Star Trek: Discovery was a career-revitalizing role that helped pave the way to her Oscar win in 2023. Though her exit from Discovery in season 3 left fans wondering about her character’s fate, Section 31 revives Georgiou in a way that feels both exciting and fitting. Originally planned as a spinoff series, the project transformed into a film due to pandemic-related delays—a shift that aligns with executive producer Alex Kurtzman’s vision for expanding the Star Trek universe beyond traditional television formats.
For newcomers, Section 31 provides enough backstory to follow Georgiou’s journey, even without deep knowledge of Discovery. The film revisits how her Mirror Universe counterpart took the place of the Prime Universe’s Georgiou, bringing a darker, more ruthless edge to Starfleet. Her evolution—from Terran tyrant to reluctant operative in Starfleet’s shadowy Section 31—is at the heart of this new adventure.
The story finds Georgiou running a shady nightclub (which doubles as a spaceship) outside of Starfleet’s jurisdiction, before being recruited by Section 31 for a mission that only she can handle. Flashbacks reveal her brutal childhood in the Terran Empire, including a deadly battle royale that shaped her into the formidable figure she is today. These glimpses into her past, especially her connection with fellow contestant San (James Hiroyuki Liao / James Huang), add emotional weight to her otherwise steely exterior.
Tasked with eliminating a rogue bioweapons engineer before his creation falls into the wrong hands, Georgiou joins a team of misfit operatives led by agent Alok (Omari Hardwick). The group includes shapeshifter Quasi (Sam Richardson), faux Vulcan Fuzz (Sven Ruygrok), and telepath Melle (Humberly González), each bringing unique skills—and questionable ethics—to the mission. Their interactions add a comedic dynamic that sometimes feels more Guardians of the Galaxy than traditional Star Trek.
Among the team’s skeptics is Zeph (Robert Kazinsky), an exoskeleton pilot, and human Starfleet officer Rachel Garrett (Kacey Rohl), both of whom serve as foils to the group’s rogue tendencies. The blend of humor and high-stakes intrigue keeps the film engaging, though it occasionally undermines the gravity of its darker themes.
While Section 31 raises thought-provoking questions about Starfleet’s moral ambiguities and the Federation’s utopian ideals, its comedic and action-heavy approach sometimes clashes with its deeper themes. The film’s breezy pacing and explosive set pieces evoke the spirit of Suicide Squad, but at times, this levity makes it difficult to fully explore Georgiou’s inner turmoil.
Yeoh, however, is at her best, chewing up scenery in every frame. From her opulent nightclub (reminiscent of The Fifth Element’s Fhloston Paradise and Star Wars’ Galactic Senate) to the heart-pounding action sequences, she commands the screen with the charisma and gravitas that made her character a standout in Discovery.
Despite feeling like a streamlined version of what could have been a longer series, Section 31 succeeds as a standalone film. It ties up its central plot while leaving room for future explorations—perhaps even setting the stage for more Star Trek streaming films. With several Star Trek series recently canceled, Paramount Plus may be testing the waters to see if one-off features like this can sustain fan interest.
If Section 31 is any indication, there’s plenty of potential in this format. The film’s mix of espionage, humor, and action leaves viewers eager for more, and whether or not Georgiou’s story continues in a full series, this entry proves that there’s still plenty of life left in Star Trek’s ever-expanding universe.