Underrated Police Thriller Dominates Prime Video Charts, Hailed as a Must-Watch
A gripping police thriller, long overlooked by audiences, has surged to the pinnacle of Prime Video’s streaming charts, earning effusive praise from viewers who are calling it “one of the best I’ve seen in years.” The series in question, Cross, has just released the initial three episodes of its highly anticipated second season, further cementing its status as a fan favourite.
Based on the intricate crime novels penned by the prolific James Patterson, Cross centres on Detective James Cross, portrayed by Aldis Hodge. Hodge delivers a compelling performance as a homicide detective possessing an almost preternatural ability to delve into and comprehend the complex psyches of criminals. Beyond its thrilling crime-solving narrative, the show also offers a poignant and timely exploration of the experiences of a Black police officer navigating the complexities of modern-day America.
The official synopsis succinctly describes the series as a “gripping Washington, D.C. crime drama following Alex Cross, a brilliant homicide detective and forensic psychologist with an extraordinary ability to get inside the minds of killers. In Season Two, Cross faces a ruthless vigilante targeting America’s corrupt billionaire magnates.”
Speaking with TV Insider, showrunner Ben Watkins elaborated on the escalating intensity of the second season. Watkins stated, “For Alex Cross, the more challenging it gets in terms of who the villain is, the more complex it gets, the better we can showcase the character and the show.” He hinted at further surprises to come, adding, “We have not really gotten to the edge yet.” Watkins also emphasised that Cross aims to offer something fresh even to devoted fans of James Patterson’s literary work. He clarified that the series eschews direct adaptations in favour of original storylines that evolve with “some variety,” promising a unique viewing experience.
The critical acclaim for Cross is evident in its impressive IMDb rating, holding an average of 7.2 out of 10, bolstered by a substantial 30,000 reviews. Viewers have taken to online platforms to express their admiration:
- “Cross on Prime Video is easily one of the best crime thrillers I’ve seen in years – period… The storytelling is tight, bold, and full of twists.”
- “I really liked this show – it was done really well. All of the actors did a fantastic job.”
- “I haven’t read any of James Patterson’s work, so I don’t know how true this is to the books or his writing in general, but it’s still very entertaining and overall does a good job of keeping one guessing and slowly tying things together in a way that gives one a lot of ‘oh, wait…these 2 things are related’ moments.”
Beyond its thrilling plotlines, many viewers have highlighted the show’s adept handling of “deeper themes.” One particularly insightful review pointed out the striking parallels between the events depicted in Cross and contemporary real-world issues unfolding in the United States. This reviewer noted:
- “What stood out to me most is how the show explores deeper themes… It’s not just about solving murders; it’s about what those murders reveal about society and about Cross himself. That made it way more engaging than your average detective show.”
- “The actors are doing their job well, and are playing it so that the viewer can believe them. The topic is hot and if you’ve been to the US you can just follow the news and here about cases [like this] quite frequently – police violence, injustices, crime etc. I’m pretty sure that this show can do something good, not just an epic series, but can really lead to cover more real stories.”
- “Ultimately, Prime is usually not one to bring out the killer series, but here they’ve really put thought in- one epic show to watch.”
The only recurring critique from viewers pertains to the show’s visual presentation, with some finding it excessively dark. However, this is widely perceived as a deliberate aesthetic choice by the production team, intended to mirror and enhance the often grim and unsettling nature of the series’ subject matter.
The remaining episodes of the second season of Cross are being released weekly on Amazon Prime, with the highly anticipated finale scheduled to drop on March 18. The entire series is currently available for streaming on Prime Video, offering a compelling binge-watching opportunity for fans of intelligent and thought-provoking crime drama.
