Hulu's new thriller series 'Furious,' created by Elizabeth Meriwether, centers on FBI Special Agent Alice Black, portrayed by Emmy Rossum. The series, which draws inspiration from the 1987 film 'Black Widow,' attempts to infuse a serious crime narrative with comedic moments, a tonal balance that has proven challenging.
Rossum plays Black, a determined agent who takes every call to the FBI's public line seriously, a trait that sets her apart from her colleagues. She is brought onto a case by her former NYPD partner, Danny Kelly, played by Scoot McNairy, involving an apparent overdose. However, Black quickly suspects the death is a murder, noting a similarity to a previous case.
Meanwhile, a masked woman calling herself Caroline, portrayed by Lola Petticrew, targets a judge. Caroline then assumes another woman's identity to secure employment and plan her next victim, a lawyer named Oliver Charles, played by Rob Delaney.
The series also features Nora Washington, played by Quincy Tyler Bernstine, a special agent in charge of sex crimes and child protection investigations. Washington, who has become disillusioned by the persistent nature of such crimes, becomes personally involved with victims. The show explores the emotional toll of her work, a storyline that one reviewer suggested would make for a compelling series on its own.
'Furious' attempts to weave comedic elements into its grim subject matter, which includes sex trafficking. However, according to critics, these attempts often feel forced and out of place, detracting from the gravity of the narrative. An example cited is a scene involving a jar of cheese balls offered to Black by an assistant, which is described as a jarring juxtaposition to the somber context.
Alice Black's personal history adds another layer to the series, including a past abusive relationship with a fellow police officer that led her to leave the NYPD. The show explores her complex personality and her drive to work within Washington's department, seemingly unfazed by the latter's jaded outlook.
Despite its tonal inconsistencies, Emmy Rossum's performance as the intense and complex Alice Black has been highlighted as a strong point. The series also includes Jake Lacy in its cast. 'Furious' is available for streaming on Hulu.