A killer new crime drama

On November 15, 2024By Littum

Season 1 of Cross premieres Thursday, November 14 on Prime Video.

Amazon continues to expand its alliance of airport fiction avengers with Cross, taken straight from the pages of author James Patterson’s bestselling crime novels (and joining the likes of Jack Ryan and Reacher on the streamer). Part police procedural, part psychological thriller, Cross is admittedly not as action-packed as its other paperback-inspired Prime Video peers, but it’s a taut and satisfying slow burn that do break through the crowded police drama genre thanks to star Aldis Hodge’s outstanding performance as the titular Alex Cross.

For the uninitiated, Alex Cross is an extraordinarily brilliant homicide detective in Washington, DC and the protagonist of over 30 books dating back to 1993. However, in this TV series, Cross is not based on a specific novel. Fans need not worry; all the background building blocks for Alex Cross himself are here, and he remains a widower and father of two with a Ph.D. in psychology. He’s also thankfully based in DC (unlike the failed 2012 reboot with Tyler Perry, which transplanted the character to Detroit for absolutely no gain). The intro montage, which makes DC himself feel like a supporting character in the series, is a smart starting place for the series, and despite their otherwise vast differences in tone, it definitely feels like a reverent nod to the iconic intro of Beverly Hills Cop.

There are also some casual, early references to a previous case that cleverly help establish that Alex Cross is already somewhat of a star detective at the start of the series. While these moments call upon the first Cross novel, Along Came a Spider, the central mystery of Cross Season 1 is an entirely original story—and it’s a smart play. As a particularly voracious reader of Lee Child’s Reacher series, I’ll admit that I’ve loved seeing the existing books come to life in the TV series, because I’m a simple man and I’m primarily on board to see a six-foot-five immovable object stomp some heads. However, choose something fresh all viewers of Prime’s Cross means that both longtime readers and those unfamiliar with the books will each be on the same page, so to speak.

Of course, we want to say as little as possible about the mystery itself, suffice it to say that it ultimately involves a horribly deranged serial killer – the reveal of which comes as a lovely piece of dramatic irony after a character condescendingly glances at Cross, that not all cases he works are The silence of the lambs. There is also another thread related to a Cross family stalker, but the episodes skillfully juggle these multiple dilemmas. While a second season of Cross has already been greenlit, both of those storylines seem mostly wrapped up at the end of the eight-episode debut. As a result, despite not being based on a specific Patterson work, Cross certainly catches on feel of a book by largely being self-contained and avoiding any cheap TV cliffhangers – although the last episode feels a bit rushed as it ties up loose ends. A few developments feel hand-waved as a result.

The season occasionally stumbles, especially with a villain twist that’s a great shock but falls apart under the mildest scrutiny. But one thing I can’t fault is Hodge’s excellent work in the lead role. He brings professional life to what is easily the best and most nuanced screen version of Alex Cross to date. As he watched the athletically built Hodge spar in the gym with his big co-star, former American football player and Old Spice shirtless pitchman Isaiah Mustafa, it may seem on the surface that the producers have set Hollywood’s old Morgan Freeman template for someone who simply seems to be able to bench Morgan Freeman. However, Hodge is not only a far better physical fit for the role as the character has always been described, he delivers a wonderfully layered performance.

Hodge’s Cross is smart and sweet, and he is uncompromising in his pursuit of the facts; a merciless manhunter. But there are also moments when he is exposed and vulnerable, and Hodge rides this pendulum with great skill. There are times throughout Season 1 when Cross completely loses his cool, and others when he is sweetly compassionate, tender, and fatherly. The character’s conversations with his children Damon and Janelle feel particularly authentic.

Hodge is ably supported by strong performances from his co-stars, not least of whom is the aforementioned Mustafa, Cross’s childhood friend and fellow detective John Sampson. In previous adaptations, Sampson has either been sidelined or deleted entirely, so it’s great to see him here. Relaxed and amiable, but strict and intense when needed, Mustafa shines in the role – especially towards the end of the season. As a sucker for a major pin drop, I appreciated that he’s also the catalyst for a particularly strong song selection in the season finale. It might sound a little cheesy for an otherwise serious show, but I was all for it considering which letter of the alphabet most closely resembles Alex’s last name. (You’ll know it when you hear it.)

Cross season 1 gallery