Fatal Attraction (2023)

A deep-dive reimagining of the classic 1980s thriller, exploring timeless themes of marriage and infidelity through the lens of modern attitudes toward strong women, personality disorders and coercive control. -Synopsis

I was looking forward to this series, b/c was a fan of the 1987 movie. I wanted to see more of the characters’ backstories (esp. Alex); one of the biggest criticisms of the movie is that Alex doesn’t have any friends or go to therapy. Dan (Joshua Jackson) is a family man who’s self-centered, arrogant, and aggressive in his work life (perhaps like IRL ADAs). Alex (Lizzy Caplan) is a loner (also new in town) who speaks w/ a flattened affect (perhaps a choice more suited to Gen Z), but dedicated to helping others as a victim advocate. Their workday lives are not glam; rather, we see bland govt buildings of LA. Some viewers felt that Caplan is miscast; others found her BOTH creepy and sympathetic. There is little chemistry btwn the two leads; they’d fit better as friends. This made it hard to believe that Dan would risk his (seemingly happy) family life for Alex! The show has TOO many side characters, uninspiring dialogue, and V little plot development. And the ending- wow- talk about random!

Presumed Innocent (2024)

A horrific murder upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s’ office when one of its own is suspected of the crime. -Synopsis

Jake Gyllenhaal gets a LOT to do here as Rusty Sabich (originally played by Harrison Ford); he’s the deputy prosecutor of Chicago. He was assumed to succeed his older boss/friend, Raymond Horgan (Bill Camp) when he stepped down. Camp (a veteran character actor) and his IRL wife (Elizabeth Marvel) are great in their scenes together. However, the DA was ousted in a recent election; the new DA, Nico Della Guardia (O.T. Fagbenle), installs his own #2 man, Tommy Molto (Peter Sarsgard; also BIL of Gyllenhaal). Sarsgard embodies an awkward/loner V well! The action centers on the brutal murder of ADA Carolyn Polhemus (Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve; seen in flashbacks); she and Rusty were having an affair. Of course, Rusty becomes the prime suspect, then is shortly arrested!

I thought this series had some interesting moments (mainly in the courtroom); it’s V different (incl. the ending) from the 1990 movie. Barbara is played by Ruth Negga (Irish/Ethiopian); she works at an art gallery. In the movie, there was just one young son; here we have two teens, Kyle (Kingston Runi Southwick), and Jaden (Chase Infiniti- before fame). Unfortunately, there is no chemistry btwn Gyllenhaal; and Negga; they come off as sleepwalking through marriage. There is another teen added; you will have to watch to find out more. In the original movie, Carolyn is a childfree (by choice) career woman.