Dakota Fanning’s Two-Season Sci-Fi Thriller: A Hidden Gem
Fans of dark, sophisticated mysteries will appreciate The Alienist, a Dakota Fanning-led series that expertly blends crime and psychology. At first glance, it appears to be a typical period drama with cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and Victorian intrigue. However, a closer look reveals one of the most intelligent and slow-burning thrillers of recent years.
Series Overview and Cast
Starring Dakota Fanning, Daniel Brühl, and Luke Evans, this two-season TNT series explores the origins of criminal psychology, forensic science, and early women's rights advocacy. The story is set in a meticulously recreated 1890s New York, marked by stark contrasts between opulence and poverty.
Plot and Setting
Based on Caleb Carr’s 1994 best-selling novel, The Alienist follows Dr. Laszlo Kreizler (Brühl), a pioneering criminal psychologist—then known as an “alienist”—tasked by Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Geraghty) to solve a series of brutal murders targeting street children.
The series paints a haunting portrait of Manhattan in 1896, where affluent mansions stand just blocks away from brothels and the harsh tenements housing orphaned street children.
The Investigative Team
Kreizler teams up with illustrator John Moore (Evans) and Sara Howard (Fanning), Roosevelt’s determined secretary and the first woman hired by the NYPD, forming an unconventional investigative trio.
“The Alienist looks like another gloomy period mystery — with cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and corseted intrigue. Yet, the deeper you look, the more you'll find one of the most intelligent, slow-burning thrillers of the past decade.”
The Alienist is a thought-provoking series combining historical depth and psychological intrigue, making it a must-watch for mystery enthusiasts.