It's been too long since we last witnessed a fierce game of cat and mouse between two complex women on our screens. Reminiscent of Phoebe Waller-Bridge's BAFTA-winning series Killing Eve—though eschewing the grotesque drama and fashion show scenes in favor of grim realism—Hulu's new crime drama follows troubled FBI agent Alice Black as she doggedly tracks down a psychopathic serial killer.
The story begins on Halloween night in New York City, in a luxurious apartment where a man desperately tries to escape a bathroom flooded with vomit. Right at his door stands a mysterious woman in a red wig and cat mask, joyfully handing out candy to a child trick-or-treating.
Returning to the house, she discovers that the man has struggled out into the hallway.
Emmy Rossum stars as FBI agent Alice Black (Disney).
«"I'll be right back," she says in a childish voice. By the time she returns, he's already halfway down the stairs. "I like your smile," she whispers, lying down next to him and watching his agonizing struggle to breathe before finally injecting him with a lethal dose of fentanyl.
It's a deeply unsettling opening scene, but it certainly gets the job done. It holds my attention completely.
Lola Petticrew plays a vengeful serial killer (Disney).
Next, we meet FBI Agent Alice Black. A former NYPD homicide detective, Alice was forced to transfer to the bureau after her ex-boyfriend (also a detective) forced her to quit. Driven by a desire to investigate sex crimes, Alice is clearly undervalued in her current position, forced to field phone calls from "crazy people Googling FBI.".
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Fortunately for Alice (or perhaps unfortunately), her old colleague, Danny Kelly (Scott McNairy), soon recruits her to investigate her first murder. The victim, it turns out, was Caleb Easton, the son of a powerful New York billionaire. Alice quickly connects this murder to the unsolved case, surmising that both victims were involved in a human trafficking ring, and that their killer was one of the young women they trafficked.
Scott McNairy plays Alice's former co-worker, Danny (Disney).
She lays out her theory to Nora Washington (Quincy Tyler Bernstein), a seasoned FBI veteran whose cynicism and tequila addiction stem from years spent leading the sex crimes unit. "Why are you working in a basement investigating sex crimes and child abuse?" Nora asks Alice. "Do you hate yourself? Don't answer that.".
I know what you're thinking. How many times have we seen this troubled detective stereotype? But this isn't just another story about a troubled detective and a killer out for revenge.
Quincy Tyler Bernstein gives a convincing performance as Nora (Disney).
A gripping exploration of female rage and victimhood, its sharp dialogue and relentless pace keep you hooked from the very first frame.
The cast is superb, especially Bernstein, who delivers a memorable monologue in the first episode about the futile pursuit of justice. "It doesn't matter. No matter what you do, the guilty will never be caught. Never," she says.
While it can be jarring to watch, The Fast and the Furious is a dark, gripping thriller that will keep you glued to the screen.
Look at Disney + in the UK and Hulu in the US.
This review was first published in HELLO!'s "What to Watch" newsletter. Subscribe here , to read our reviews before anyone else.