The new Hulu series “Furious,” starting Monday, does involve a serial killer and several murders. However, thankfully, that’s not the main focus of the show.
Generally, stories that rely on a ticking clock and portray villains as either incredibly complex or terrifying monsters – rather than just ordinary, flawed people – don’t appeal to me much. However, “Furious” is different. It’s as much about the relationships between the characters as it is about the central case, and features strong performances from four actors. It also thoughtfully explores themes of abuse, exploitation, and love.
Elizabeth Meriwether’s new series, “Furious,” draws inspiration from the 1987 film “Black Widow,” but mostly borrows just a few elements: the names of characters, the concept of a female serial killer, and the complex emotional connection between the killer and the detective pursuing her. The killer, Catherine (Lola Petticrew), is a small young woman who uses disguises to avoid detection. Unlike some portrayals of killers, she doesn’t kill on impulse – it’s a deliberate plan, similar to the motivation seen in the film “The Bride Wore Black.”
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As a huge film buff, I’ve put together a list of 15 British crime dramas – some classics, some newer releases – that I think you’ll really enjoy. What I love about this genre is the range; plus, the acting is consistently top-notch and, thankfully, things usually wrap up with justice being served.
Catherine’s main opponent is Alice Black (Emmy Rossum), a former police detective who now works at the FBI call center. She lost favor with the NYPD after discovering her boyfriend (Jake Lacy as Marshall) was responsible for her being hospitalized – a situation complicated by the fact that they were both police officers. Later, a former coworker, Danny Kelly (Scoot McNairy), asks for her help with a murder investigation – the very same murder we see Catherine commit at the beginning of the show.
The details of this new crime strikingly resemble a previous murder, leading Alice to suspect a connection – potentially involving sex trafficking or an unsolved missing person case. Her investigation brings her face-to-face with Nora Washington, the head of the FBI department Alice is eager to join. Nora challenges Alice’s motives, bluntly asking why she wants to work on such difficult cases, implying a personal struggle. Alice herself seems troubled, engaging in risky behavior and carrying unresolved trauma from her past.
I’m completely captivated by Alice – she’s truly the center of everything in this series, and the story just moves with her. It’s heartbreaking to see Danny, who bravely stood by her, become isolated and lose their connection – he’s her only friend, and she clearly misses him. Then there’s Nora, a tough character battling her own demons, but she ends up being a surprisingly insightful mentor to Alice, dropping wisdom from authors like Balzac and Beckett, or even weaving in stories from Greek myths. She’s wonderfully complex, even delivering these profound thoughts while clearly intoxicated – like when she asserts her intelligence and background, despite everything. It’s a fascinating dynamic to watch unfold.
I find Catherine such a fascinating character! She’s this really compelling blend of cunning and vulnerability – almost like a sly fox who’s also deeply hurt. While she definitely does some terrible things, it’s complicated because most of her targets are… well, not exactly sympathetic people. Plus, the show cleverly makes you understand why she’s acting this way, hinting at a really awful past and creating this strange connection through Alice. There’s a lot of irony woven into the story, and a genuinely shocking twist near the end that isn’t just thrown in for shock value. Honestly, even knowing what she does, you kind of get where Catherine is coming from and find yourself rooting for her success. She’s dangerous, sure, but I don’t think she’s a villain at all.
Okay, so it’s not flawless, but honestly, I wasn’t expecting perfection. What did surprise me was how much the story sometimes stretched believability. It also fell into some familiar tropes – you know, the usual squabbles between the local police and the FBI, like something you’d see in every other episode of a show like “The Closer.” And of course, there’s plenty of workplace drama with people being competitive and jealous of each other – it’s a little cliché, but it’s there.
What truly makes the show compelling isn’t necessarily the storyline itself, but rather the strength of the acting. Rossum delivers a powerfully dramatic performance, almost like she’s starring in an ancient Greek play—and her red hair amplifies that feeling. McNairy, always charming on screen, brings a welcome warmth to his role. Petticrew beautifully portrays vulnerability and innocence, while Bernstine adds unexpected depth to what could have been a predictable character.
The show features strong performances, notably from Hope Davis as a victim’s sister and Steve Way as Alden, a genuinely kind and funny character who makes a real impact on the protagonist’s life. Way, who has spinal muscular atrophy, delivers impressive physical comedy while using a motorized wheelchair. The direction, particularly in the first two episodes by Brian Kirk, is straightforward and doesn’t distract from the strong writing and acting – which is exactly what the series needs.
2026-07-27 13:31