“Furious” Series: A Duel Between Two Women in a Swamp of Rage and Revenge
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, Hulu has recently unveiled its new eight-episode series titled “Furious,” executive produced by Elizabeth Meriwether and inspired by the 1987 feature film “Black Widow.” This thrilling series tells a cat-and-mouse chase that ultimately turns into a complex, gripping, and impactful work on the consequences of trauma and female rage.
The story centers on Alice (played by Emmy Rossum), a former NYPD homicide detective who transfers to the FBI to escape her painful past and ex-fiancé. Aiming to work in the sex crimes unit, she is initially assigned to handle routine calls. However, when a suspicious case involving the death of a wealthy New Yorker’s child emerges, Alice notices connections between several recent murders. Teaming up with Nora (played by Quincy Tyler Bernstine)—a seasoned and traumatized agent who has spent years working on child abuse cases—she sets up her base in an old office in the FBI basement.
On the other side of the story is Catherine (played by Lola Petticrew), a cold and calculating woman who targets abusive men and predators. Although Alice, as a law enforcement agent, is pursuing Catherine, parallel editing and flashbacks revealing their pasts show that their motivations and inner rage share striking similarities.
If a work like Promising Young Woman reflected the rage of the #MeToo movement, “Furious” captures the anger born from the injustice and neglect of legal institutions regarding the abuse of women and girls—a reality where victims feel compelled to take matters into their own hands.
The opening episodes, directed by Brian Kirk (director of Dexter and Luther), maintain a very dark tone and might initially appear to be a conventional crime drama. However, by the fourth episode—directed by Quyen Tran—the series finds its true path and showcases its distinction from routine genre entries.
The performances are among the series’ main strengths; both Emmy Rossum and Lola Petticrew shine brilliantly as women shaped by deep trauma. Petticrew skillfully portrays a woman driven to sociopathy by society. Alongside them, Quincy Tyler Bernstine’s performance as Nora and Steve Witting add unique appeal and even moments of dark, bitter humor to the drama.
Although the project is presented as a drama series, the ending of its eight episodes is remarkably complete, satisfying, and brings the narrative to a full resolution. While “Furious” is not an easy watch and offers a heavy atmosphere, it stands as a smart and distinct answer to the clichés of the genre.
