Apple TV+ recently released the first two episodes of a crime thriller series calledDope Thief, and it is already impressing critics.Dope Thieffollows lifelong best friends,Ray and Manny, who go undercover as DEA agents to get money from local drug dealers, but are put into serious danger when they attempt to rob a massive narcotics operation. So far,Dope Thiefhas raked in a strong 86%critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, and based on reviews, the show may get better and better.
At first glance,there are many reasons to get excited aboutDope Thief.The show stars Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura, both of whom earned incredible praise for their roles inAtlantaandNarcosrespectively. Furthermore, the first episode ofDope Thiefisdirected by iconic filmmaker, Ridley Scott, who also acts as an executive producer of the show. Because of this star-studded cast and crew, expectations have been high for this series. Luckily, it seems likeDope Thiefis meeting these prospects.
5Dope Thief Has A Gritty Visual Atmosphere
Dope Thief’s Style Increases Its Quality
Right off the bat,Dope Thiefproves itself through its visuals and atmosphere. Set in post-pandemic Philadelphia,the series offers a gritty and bleak outlook on the city, especially from the perspectives of Ray and Manny, both of whom have been lifelong residents. InCBR’sreview of the series,Dope Thief’scinematography is compared to that ofThe TownorCauseway.The show captures the subtle beauty small-town Americana, even as it showcases scenes of violence and fear. According to critics, “It’s both bleak and rustic, but not without beauty even in the smallest detail.”
Dope Thief’svisual style helps elevate the series from the moment audiences press play.Crime dramas are a dime a dozenon television these days, butDope Thiefmanages to set itself apart with amazing cinematography and direction. In just a few shots, the series tells audiences that this isn’t just another crime show, but is an experience, which has had lots of money and effort funneled into it. Not to mention,Dope Thief’satmosphere helps viewers settle into this world of drugs and complex communityfor the long haul.
4Dope Thief Blends High-Stakes Drama With Comedy
Dope Thief’s Levity Is Vital To Its Success
Another major strength ofDope Thiefis its ability to mix intense drama and action with comedy. A review of the showfromScreen Rantnoted that it included everything from “stunning visuals, thoughtful backstory, witty banter, and violent shootouts.” A scene inDope Thiefcan go from a fist-clenching moment of violence to Ray and Manny sharing an inside joke in just a few minutes. Ultimately,the ease with whichDope Thiefmoves from drama to comedy is entertaining and surprisingly representative of real life.
Dope Thiefavoids this oversaturation of negativity by keeping certain elements of lightness.
Just like the cinematography,Dope Thief’sgenre-blending makes it a standout among other crime thrillers. At times, series revolving around drugs and violence can take themselves too seriously or feel bogged down with heavy emotions.Dope Thiefavoids this oversaturation of negativity by keeping certain elements of lightness.Ray and Manny are certainly pushed into brutal situations, but they are still able to laugh and copelike regular human beings.
3Brian Tyree Henry & Wagner Moura Have Amazing Chemistry
Henry & Moura Came Prepared For These Roles
One positive aboutDope Thiefthat has been mentioned in just about every review of the series is the chemistry between the series leads, Henry and Moura. As Ray and Manny, the actors are believable best friends, creating this unexpectedly bubbly ambiance that makes them easy to root for. Even apart from Henry and Moura’s performances,Dope Thiefdoes a good job of creating a thorough background for both characters, seamlessly including them in this small town setting where everyone knows everyone and no one ever leaves.
Dope Thief Season 1 Review - I Wanted More Of The Crime Thriller’s Premise But It Doesn’t Hold Brian Tyree Henry & Wagner Moura Back From Greatness
A show that has greatness in it but may have miscalculated its climax. Either way, Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura are excellent.
A good summary of Henry and Moura’s performances comes fromThe Hollywood Reporter’sreview of the series: “[Henry and Moura] have the instant and volatile chemistry of men who have weathered so many dark moments together that they love each other even when they hate each other.” For audiences who have never been in a dire situation such as Ray and Manny’s, the actors still manage to make their relationship relatable.Dope Thiefemphasizes these kinds of lifelong relationshipsthat will never die.
2The Themes Of Dope Thief Are Deeply Meaningful
Dope Thief Ventures Beyond Pure Action & Thrills
Under the surface,Dope Thiefhas also wowed viewers with its themes. One of the most obvious is brotherhood. As noted inCollider’sreview of the series, “Ray and Manny’s friendship is the backbone of the series.“Dope Thiefuses their relationship to explore bonds through proximity and trauma, and how these connections can be vital, yet also toxic. On top of that,Dope Thieffocuses on community at large, and how one’s roots can prevent them from growing into who they really want to be.
Of course,Dope Thief’sviolence also plays a part in the show’s deeper meaning. For example,Ray and Manny’s situation brings up pivotal questions about loyalty, self-preservation, and why people do what they do.CBRput it best when they saidDope Thief “Get[s] to the root cause of why people make certain choices, what motivates them to put others in danger, and how those moments are resolved…“Without a doubt,Dope Thiefwill make audiences think about their own relationships and actions.
1Dope Thief Doesn’t Waste A Single Second
Dope Thief Is Chaotic But Worth Watching
Finally, the biggest pro ofDope Thiefis its fast pace. Countless critics have acknowledged how the show hits the ground running, quickly throwing viewers into the messy lives of Ray and Manny.It takes very little time forDope Thiefto start heating up, putting the protagonists into increasingly dangerous situations. Clearly, this keeps audiences invested from the jump, as they try to work out what’s going on and what it all means.
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