Criminal Record Review By The OTT Review
Table of Contents
Think you know police dramas? Criminal Record tackles racism in a way you’ve never seen before. This new crime thriller is so addictive but the twists will make you question everything.
The Premise & Performances
A Psychological Showdown
Apple’s latest crime drama, Criminal Record, promises a gripping psychological showdown fueled by timely social commentary.
While the series delivers some tense moments and fine performances, its reliance on twists and underdeveloped subplots weaken its overall impact.
Cush Jumbo and Peter Capaldi: A Compelling Duo
Cush Jumbo delivers a strong performance as Detective Sergeant June Lenker, a principled young detective drawn into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with a seasoned, morally complex adversary.
Her investigation into an anonymous tip suggests a man, Errol Mathis, was wrongly convicted of murder over a decade prior.
The trail leads her to Detective Inspector Daniel Hegarty, a veteran cop with a reputation for bending the rules.
Peter Capaldi is chillingly effective as Hegarty, a man whose surface charm hides a potential for darkness.
Themes and Missed Opportunities
Tackling Racism and Corruption
The show attempts to tackle weighty themes of racism and institutional corruption within the police force.
Lenker, a Black woman acutely aware of her position in a white-dominated system, is driven by a sense of justice that brushes up against prejudice and institutional roadblocks.
Plot Over Substance
Unfortunately, Criminal Record’s commitment to serving its thriller plot often derails these explorations.
Peripheral characters become mere plot devices, and Lenker’s complex personal struggles feel rushed, making way for the next twist in the investigation.
The Twist Problem
Contrived Twists, Undermined Themes
While the core dynamic between Lenker and Hegarty crackles with tension, the show’s overuse of misdirection ultimately frustrates.
Twists arrive conveniently, and the resolution, while thematically fitting, feels narratively contrived.
It’s a missed opportunity, as Criminal Record could have been a far more nuanced exploration of how prejudice distorts the search for truth.
Overall Assessment
Watchable, Yet Flawed
Despite its shortcomings, Criminal Record remains a watchable thriller. The performances of Jumbo and Capaldi are worth the watch, their scenes showcasing the fragility of justice in a system where personal bias can outweigh evidence.
Beyond the Procedural: Challenging the Genre
In aiming to expose the flaws within our institutions, Criminal Record stands as a provocative counterpoint to police procedurals like Netflix’s Delhi Crime, which tend to paint a more heroic picture.
| Premiere Date: 2024 |
| Criminal Record: Cast & Crew |
| Genre: Drama; Crime; Thriller |
| Director:Â Shaun James Grant, Jim Loach |
| Starring: Peter Capaldi, Cush Jumbo, Aysha Kala |
| Duration: 4 Episodes |
| IMDB Rating: 7.1/10 |
