Apple TV+ has done it again, delivering another gripping series with top-notch talent in front of and behind the camera.
Starring and executive-produced by Colin Farrell, Sugar follows the titular private investigator known for doing “one thing, and one thing only:” Finding the missing. But rest assured, it isn’t a by-the-numbers brooding crime drama. This uniquely thrilling Los Angeles-based noir comes from writer-creator Mark Protosevich (Oldboy, I Am Legend), directors Fernando Meirelles (City of God) and Adam Arkin (The Night Agent), and writers David Rosen (Hunters), Donald Joh (Snowpiercer), and Sam Catlin (Breaking Bad).
Sugar has the classic Hollywood crime setup: a mysterious man trying to solve a mystery that people mysteriously don’t want him to solve.
Famous film producer Jonathan Siegel (James Cromwell) hires the highly reputable PI John Sugar (Colin Farrell) to find his 25-year-old granddaughter Olivia (Sydney Chandler). While she’s not exactly Laura Palmer, Olivia’s troubled history has some people questioning if her absence is involuntary or if she’s just having a moment. The infamous Siegels are one of those untouchable TinselTown families with enough power to go through life without consequences… until someone comes along to expose them.
As seen in the trailer, John’s friend/colleague/handler Ruby (an absolutely stunning Kirby Howell-Baptiste) doesn’t want him getting too invested in the case. She’s introduced as his main (or only) confidant, someone who repeatedly checks in on him and gently scolds him for obsessing over work.
We’re used to hardened detectives who’ve seen it all, been through hell and back, and often obsess over cases they know may get them and others killed. But John Sugar is the best kind of unusual character; one that subverts expectations while still having the essence of a cinematic sleuth. He has personal demons and a mysterious past. However, he’s not a deeply troubled protagonist drinking his sorrows away, or a weary man with a permanent chip on his shoulder. He’s curious, fascinated, and disturbed by human behavior — great qualities for someone who follows clues for a living.
Farrell is one of the most versatile actors working today. He makes Sugar a kindhearted enigma who is almost apologetic about his impressive skill set. He doesn’t enter situations looking for violence but he’s effective in a fight. The actor described John Sugar as an “incredibly uncynical, unjaded” character, saying that “even though he had seen the more violent aspects of the human condition and even though he had been exposed to greed and human trafficking, there was this kind of light within him…”
People find Sugar bizarrely kind and protective because they live in a world run by liars and predators who almost always have ulterior motives. He hasn’t let the ugliness of the world change him. But this case exposes him to some truly terrible acts against humanity, leaving you to wonder when or if it’ll break him.
The ensemble cast also plays into crime thriller character tropes — the shady patriarch, the duplicitous witness, the tragic beautiful victim — without being completely predictable. Jonathan’s son Bernie Siegel (Dennis Boutsikaris) is a producer in his own right who isn’t subtle about his lingering resentment for his father; Bernie’s son David (Nate Corddry) is a former child actor trying to stay relevant as an adult; and David’s doting mother Margit (Anna Gunn), a former actress. Amy Ryan’s Melanie is a former rocker with an important and useful tie to the Siegel family and becomes an unlikely, enjoyable character for John to connect with.
Sugar feels lovingly crafted by film buffs with a passion for storytelling and classic Hollywood. And fittingly, John is a massive cinephile who seems to romanticize the sleuthing profession. The series’ unique tone and visual style largely stem from the almost avante-garde use of old film clips intercut with scenes. It’s a creative way to capture how he was likely influenced by these cinematic detectives. DPs César Charlone (City of God) and Richard Rutkowski (Masters of the Air) also use film reel effects like iris in and iris out, making John the star of his own movie.
There’s an overall classic detective aesthetic with the series opening in black and white, transitioning into color with ethereal natural light during the day, and neon signs at night. A lively setting like LA already comes with a tangible energy but the mix of static and handheld documentary-style camera techniques captures the really chaotic moments from an intimate perspective.
Colin Farrell driving around the city with the top down and a dog at his side is already such a mood. But music supervisor Gabe Hilfer (The White Lotus, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem) brings an alluring blend of whimsical Hollywood melodies, occasional psychedelic rock, and an incredible jazz score by Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge (Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James).
Sugar is a trippy noir with an arthouse vibe and an action thriller touch. Not only is it the type of mystery you will immediately want to rewatch, but it’s easily one of the most aesthetically pleasing shows I’ve seen. Cinephiles and fans of the detective genre will appreciate its stylistic approach, homage to classic Hollywood, and somewhat obscure film references, along with captivating performances from Colin Farrell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste.
Sugar premieres its first two episodes April 5 on Apple TV+, followed by weekly episodes every Friday through May 17.
What's Your Reaction?
