Dakota Fanning’s 2-Season Sci-Fi Thriller Is a Hidden Gem
Fans of dark, stylish mysteries will appreciate The Alienist, a series led by Dakota Fanning that blends crime with psychological depth. At first glance, it appears as a typical gloomy period mystery with cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and corseted intrigue. However, a closer look reveals one of the most intelligent, slow-burning thrillers of recent years.
Plot and Setting
The two-season series from TNT is set in 1890s New York and explores the origins of criminal psychology, forensic science, and early women's rights advocacy. The moody and meticulously crafted backdrop highlights the sharp social divide of Manhattan, where lavish mansions stand just blocks away from brothels and tenements housing street children.
Main Characters and Storyline
Adapted from Caleb Carr’s 1994 best-selling novel, The Alienist follows Dr. Laszlo Kreizler (Daniel Brühl), a criminal psychologist, or “alienist” as termed then. Tasked by Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Geraghty) to investigate a series of brutal murders involving street children, Kreizler teams up with illustrator John Moore (Luke Evans) and Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning), Roosevelt’s driven secretary and the first woman employed by the NYPD.
“The Alienist chronicles Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a criminal psychologist assigned by Theodore Roosevelt to investigate gruesome homicides involving street children.”
The series captures a nightmarish vision of divided Manhattan in 1896, presenting a society where wealth and poverty coexist side by side with chilling consequences.
Audience Reception
With an audience score of 80%, this series is a must-watch for those who enjoy intelligent and atmospheric thrillers that unfold slowly and thoughtfully.
“The Alienist looks like another gloomy period mystery—but it’s one of the most intelligent, slow-burning thrillers of the past decade.”
Author’s summary: A meticulously crafted thriller blending crime, psychology, and social commentary, The Alienist is an underrated series that expertly explores 1890s New York's dark underbelly through compelling characters and rich storytelling.