Watch The Alienist

In the late 19th century, New York City was a place of unimaginable wealth and poverty, social upheaval, and technological innovation, all packed into a crowded, noisy metropolis that was growing larger every day. It was a time when the city's wealthy elite rubbed shoulders with its poorest and most desperate citizens, and when scientific inquiry was beginning to unlock some of the secrets of the human mind.

Against this backdrop, the TNT series The Alienist takes place. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Caleb Carr, the show first aired in 2018 and ran for two seasons. It stars Daniel Brühl as Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a brilliant but troubled psychologist who specializes in studying the minds of criminals. He is joined by newspaper illustrator John Moore (Luke Evans) and police secretary Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning), who together form a team determined to catch a serial killer who is preying on young male prostitutes.

The show is set in 1896, at a time when the concept of a serial killer was still new and poorly understood. Kreizler, who has been ostracized from polite society due to his unconventional methods, is asked by police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Geraghty) to investigate the murders. Kreizler is joined in his quest by Moore, who is both intrigued and repelled by the gruesome crimes, and Howard, who sees an opportunity to break out of her stifling job and make a name for herself.

The Alienist is a visually stunning show, with lavish period costumes and sets that recreate turn-of-the-century New York in intricate detail. The characters are complex and layered, struggling with personal demons as they race against time to catch the killer before he strikes again. The show touches on themes such as the role of women in society, the impact of poverty on mental health, and the ethics of criminal profiling.

One of the strengths of The Alienist is its attention to historical accuracy. The show's writers and producers consulted with experts in fields such as medicine, psychology, and law enforcement to ensure that the show's portrayal of the time period and the investigation is as accurate as possible. The show also draws on real-life figures such as Roosevelt, who was a real person before he became president, and J.P. Morgan, who was a major player in New York's financial scene.

The Alienist is not for the faint of heart. The murders depicted on the show are incredibly gruesome, and the show does not shy away from showing their graphic details. The show is also quite slow-paced, with plenty of dialogue and character development. However, for fans of psychological thrillers and historical dramas, The Alienist is a must-watch.

The show's cast is excellent, particularly Brühl, who imbues Kreizler with a sense of quiet intensity that is both compelling and unsettling. Evans is also strong as the conflicted Moore, while Fanning shines as Howard, who is determined to prove herself in a male-dominated world. The show's supporting cast is also top-notch, with standout performances from Geraghty as Roosevelt and Douglas Smith as one of the victims' younger brothers.

The show's second season, titled The Alienist: Angel of Darkness, picks up a year after the events of the first season. Kreizler, Moore, and Howard are drawn back into the world of serial killers when a child is kidnapped. The season delves deeper into the characters' personal lives, with Kreizler struggling with his own morality and Howard fighting to gain respect in a world that sees her as nothing more than a secretary.

Overall, The Alienist is a gripping, atmospheric thriller that transports viewers to a bygone era and keeps them on the edge of their seats. With its strong cast, stunning visuals, and attention to historical detail, it's a show that's well worth watching.

The Alienist is a series that ran for 2 seasons (18 episodes) between December 31, 2015 and on TNT