Furious: A Bold New Thriller Inspired by Classic Cinema

The new Hulu series Furious, created by Elizabeth Meriwether, offers a unique take on the thriller genre, drawing inspiration from the 1987 film Black Widow. While that movie featured Debra Winger as an investigator chasing a chameleonic killer played by Theresa Russell, Furious builds on this premise with an innovative approach.

Emmy Rossum stars as FBI agent Alice Black, an agent with a complex personality and strained relationships. Her character is tasked with catching a serial murderer, portrayed by Lola Petticrew, who is adept at adopting multiple disguises and identities. The killer’s modus operandi is chillingly captured from the first episode, injecting her victims with a lethal fentanyl dose while displaying unsettling confidence and composure.

The series sets itself apart by infusing humor into the storyline, while also developing rich, multifaceted characters. Alice’s interactions include an antagonistic relationship with her boss, portrayed by Danny McCarthy, who brings his own compelling attitude to the show. The narrative advances as the killer targets a wealthy lawyer, played by Rob Delaney, initiating a dangerous game of deception and manipulation.

Furious enriches the storyline with a supporting cast of strong women, including Quincy Tyler Bernstine as Nora, Alice’s superior, who adds depth to the plot through her interest in Greek mythology. This element explores themes of revenge, painting characters like Medusa and The Furies not just as vicious, but also as victims of circumstance.

The male actors in Furious complement their female counterparts superbly. Actors such as Scoot McNairy, Jake Lacy, and Rob Yang enhance the narrative as Alice’s past and present colleagues. Special mention goes to Steve Way, whose role is both comical and poignant.

The overarching theme of revenge drives the killer’s actions, revealing a backstory connected to a sex trafficking network reminiscent of real-life cases like Jeffrey Epstein’s. This relevance adds a dark subtext, presenting the murderer’s motivations through a more humanizing lens, focused on vengeance rather than mere bloodlust.

Throughout its eight episodes, Furious maintains high stakes and tension, particularly when the fugitive and her hunter finally confront each other. The series ventures into unexplored territory, offering viewers an unforgettable experience. While it draws from an old cinematic classic, Furious stands out as a creatively original thriller.