I binged Long Bright River over the weekend. It's a police procedural thriller about a serial killer preying on the women on the "Ave" in Philadelphia, and it packs quite a punch. It's brilliantly acted -- especially by Amanda Seyfried, who first became known in Big Love, and then in Mamma Mia, and is now clearly a world-class, unique actor -- with a supporting case that includes Dash Mihok (one of Ray Donovan's brothers), Nicholas Pinnock (Counterpart), and John Doman (who has starred in everything).
But that's not what I liked most about this short series on Peacock, which had the good sense to put it all up at once, because that's the way it needs to be seen. [And here I'll say that there are no spoilers ahead, believe or not.]
But what I liked most about this series is the human side of its story. All serial killer stories -- true or fictitious (which I read is the story on Long Bright River) -- have an inescapable human side, if only in the impact that the killings have on the victims' families. But Long Bright River really goes into this in-depth, with a brilliant boy on the spectrum (Thomas, superbly played by Callum Vinson), his great-grandfather (John Doman's role), a former nun (played by Harriet Sansom Harris) who makes a simply wonderful babysitter, and all manner of tangled parent-child, and sister relationships.
And the story ain't bad, either. Why is this current Jack-the-Ripper going after drug-addicted women who work in the sex-trade to pay for their addiction? Is the killer really a cop, and, if so, which one? There are no shortage of cop suspects in this narrative.
Now, I actually guessed who the killer was in the very first episode of this eight-episode series. And I'm still raving about what an excellent series Long Bright River is, powerful on so many levels. That's an indication in itself of why I say don't miss this series, you'll be glad you watched it.
