"In the nineteenth century, the mentally ill were considered alienated, alienated from themselves. The specialists who studied them were known as alienists."
– The Alienist
New York, late 19th century. A serial killer murders children living on the streets. Dr. Laszlo Kreisler (Daniel Bruhl), a specialist in mental illness, sets out to find the criminal. Together with illustrator John Moore (Luke Evans) and police secretary Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning), they try to understand the killer's motives and how he acts, at their peril.
Criminology is a recurring theme in the series. Between Mindhunter or Hannibal, the list goes on. The Alienist offers a new vision of the subject by immersing himself in nineteenth-century New York. At the time, the methods of investigation were not very advanced. The profession of psychologist does not exist and criminologists even less. The behaviour of murderers is, in general, little studied. The Alienist proposes to dive into the psychology of the individual to try to understand him.
From one twist to another
The first scenes of the season set the bar very high. The crime we discover is bloody and disturbing. At the sight of the first corpse, one cannot help winceing. One thing leading to another, the discoveries of the investigators lead to dead ends. As the mystery remains unsolved until the end, the series does not lose its dynamism. Uncertainties are just as present in the private lives of the characters. Very subtle details blur the tracks of love affairs.
If the scenarios of series of investigations are hardly original, The Alienist manages to entangle the viewer with splendour. Throughout the story, the twists and turns follow one another, leaving everyone in doubt.
A catching universe
Glaucous and macabre, the Alienist takes us to the darkest alleys of New York. This atmosphere is reminiscent from time to time of the story of Jack the Ripper, who terrorized London at the same time. The staging of the murders freezes the blood. The images and decorations are neat. The whole makes this atmosphere anxiety-provoking; Almost beautiful and melancholic (if you forget the gore).
The violence of the mores of the time is just as shocking. Corruption and impunity are themes already seen, however the particular setting makes these actions real and infamous. The detail of the costumes makes the universe even more convincing. They are made with perfection and in the image of the characters who wear them.
The characters are flawed, but that makes them endearing and sincere. Their stories and character make it possible to touch on current and sensitive themes. The place of women in society or violence against children are discussed throughout the season. A criticism can be made, however: the last episode botched the story of the killer without being able to have a clear conclusion about his actions. But the terror he sows throughout the series remains anchored in the imagination of the public.
The Alienist offers us a superb dive into nineteenth-century New York. With an amazing cast, the series keeps the viewer in suspense from beginning to end. The settings and images enrich the story and make it almost real. The series is available on Netflix, but no sequel is planned at the moment…
