Dakota Fanning’s 2-Season Sci-Fi Thriller With an 80% Audience Score Is a Hidden Gem Worth Binging
Fans of dark, stylish mysteries will appreciate The Alienist, a Dakota Fanning-led series that masterfully blends crime and psychology. At first glance, it appears to be another moody period mystery, complete with cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and corseted intrigue.
However, a closer look reveals one of the most intelligent, slow-burning thrillers of the past decade. Starring Dakota Fanning, Daniel Brühl, and Luke Evans, this two-season series from TNT explores the early roots of criminal psychology, forensic science, and pioneering efforts toward women's equality, all set within the precise and atmospheric world of 1890s New York.
Plot and Setting
Adapted from Caleb Carr’s 1994 best-selling novel, The Alienist follows Dr. Laszlo Kreizler (Brühl), a criminal psychologist—known at the time as an "alienist"—who is tasked by Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Geraghty) with investigating a string of brutal murders targeting street children.
The series paints a haunting portrait of 1896 Manhattan, a city sharply divided by wealth where opulent mansions exist in stark contrast to brothels and overcrowded tenements housing impoverished children.
Key Characters and Dynamics
- Dr. Laszlo Kreizler – The determined criminal psychologist leading the investigations.
- John Moore – An illustrator who partners with Kreizler in the case.
- Sara Howard – Roosevelt’s ambitious secretary and the first woman hired by the NYPD, forming an unexpected but effective investigative trio.
"The Alienist chronicles Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a criminal psychologist assigned by Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt to investigate a series of gruesome homicides involving street children."
The show’s strength lies in its meticulous depiction of the era’s social divides, the evolution of forensic science, and the struggle for gender equality, all woven into a gripping mystery.
Author’s Summary
The Alienist is a brilliantly crafted period thriller that combines psychological depth, historical detail, and strong performances into a compelling series worth discovering.