Dakota Fanning’s Sci-Fi Thriller: A Hidden Gem
The Alienist is a compelling two-season series perfect for fans of dark, stylish mysteries. Led by Dakota Fanning, it blends crime and psychology within a richly atmospheric setting.
Atmosphere and Setting
At first glance, The Alienist appears as another moody period mystery featuring cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and corseted intrigue. However, a closer look reveals it as one of the most intelligent, slow-burning thrillers in recent years.
Plot and Characters
- Starring Dakota Fanning, Daniel Brühl, and Luke Evans.
- The story is set in 1890s New York, focusing on the origins of criminal psychology, forensic science, and early efforts toward women's equality.
- Based on Caleb Carr’s bestselling 1994 novel, it follows Dr. Laszlo Kreizler (Brühl), a criminal psychologist—or “alienist”—tasked by Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Geraghty) to solve a series of brutal murders targeting street children.
- Kreizler teams up with illustrator John Moore (Evans) and Sara Howard (Fanning), Roosevelt's determined secretary and NYPD’s first female employee.
Social Context
The series paints a stark contrast of New York City in 1896, showcasing a divided Manhattan where opulent mansions sit just blocks away from brothels and impoverished tenements inhabited by street children.
“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.”
Author's summary:
The Alienist merges historical drama with crime psychology, delivering a thoughtful thriller set in a vividly divided 1890s New York, elevated by a strong cast and meticulous detail.