Apple TV+'s new thriller "Lucky," starring Anya Taylor-Joy, has drawn criticism for its slow-burn pacing and lack of exposition in its opening episodes. The series, based on Marissa Stapley's novel and executive produced by Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine company, follows a former con artist, Luciana “Lucky” Armstrong (Taylor-Joy), who attempts to leave her criminal past behind but is drawn back into illicit activities.
The narrative begins with Lucky and her husband, Cary Masterson (Drew Starkey), celebrating the successful retrieval of over $2 million in stolen taxpayer money from a biofuel scheme. Their plan to flee the country unravels when Lucky awakens to find Cary and the money gone. She soon becomes the target of an FBI investigation led by Special Agent Billie Rand (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) and faces pursuit from other criminal elements.
A Tangled Web of Criminality
Further complications arise when Lucky encounters Priscilla Matheson (Annette Bening), Cary’s mother and the apparent boss of the operation that orchestrated the biofuel scheme. It is revealed that the stolen money belongs to an even more powerful criminal, Wayne Whittaker (William Fichtner), who demands its return. Lucky's father, John Armstrong (Timothy Olyphant), who is imprisoned, is also implicated, as Lucky and Cary were retrieving the money for him.
Critics have noted that while the series employs familiar tropes like "one last job," the initial episodes provide "frustratingly tiny droplets of information." The first episode, in particular, is characterized by a lack of clarity regarding character motivations and plot stakes. Viewers are left to piece together the circumstances, with even the second episode failing to offer substantial depth into Lucky's own backstory or the specifics of the criminal enterprise.
Performances Amidst the Confusion
Despite the narrative shortcomings, the performances have received some praise. Annette Bening is highlighted for her portrayal of Priscilla, managing to be both a convincing criminal and retain her characteristic charm. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is also noted for her compelling performance as the determined FBI agent Billie Rand.
The review suggests that the show's creators, including Jonathan Tropper and Cassie Pappas, may have intended to withhold information to build suspense, but the subtlety of the clues risks confusing rather than engaging the audience. Consequently, the series is recommended as a "SKIP IT" for those seeking immediate clarity and character depth in its initial installments.