ADVANCE REVIEW: The Alienist is a Different Kind of Thriller

The Alienist is a psychological thriller that may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Based on the book by Caleb Carr, The Alienist takes place in New York City 1896 and it follows a trio of leads, Daniel Brühl as “alienist” Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, Luke Evans as illustrator John Moore, and Dakota Fanning as police secretary Sara Howard as they come together to help solve the murders of boy prostitutes in the city.

The story is intriguing and will leave you wanting to learn more, but the first episode can be a little slow. It spends a lot of time introducing the characters and the story, but not enough time pulling the audience in. It also can be a little gruesome, so prepare to close your eyes at certain parts.

Each character is unique in their own way and really leaves a want for learning more about them, but Dakota’s Sara Howard, the secretary to Police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt, is the stand out. She plays this character with such ease as she tries to become the first female detective in a city that still merely sees a woman as nothing but a nice thing to look at. There is assertiveness to her portrayal that will have you rooting that she does indeed become the detective she so wants to be.

If after watching the first episode, you are teetering on the edge of watching or not watching, give the second episode a go. That episode will be the one that draws you in.

Make sure to catch the premiere tonight, January 22 on TNT and let us know what you thought of it.

Grade: B