Our take
The 2000s film Sexy Beast, is already a niche entry in the crime comedy genre, so if you’re going to make a prequel about it, it better be good. This 2024 series unfortunately is not it. Whereas the film’s performances were explosive and dynamic, the show’s were derivative and cartoonish. Fans of the original will be disappointed, but the experience isn’t better for those unfamiliar with the film. You go in blank and leave just as empty, without knowing anything or caring for anyone new.
What it won
Oscars
1 nom
Golden Globes
1 nom
Nat. Board of Review
1 nom
The story
The origin story of Gal Dove, Don Logan, and Teddy Bass. Explore Gal and Don’s complicated relationship as Gal finds himself descending into the seductive madness of the London criminal world during the vibrant and volatile 1990s while falling in love with DeeDee.
In the 1990s, Gal Dove (James McArdle) and his buddies successfully pull off low-profile crimes to earn a living. They eventually catch the attention of Teddy Bass (Stephen Moyer).
The one thing that saves the show is Gal and DeeDee's (Sarah Greene) relationship; it feels real and possibly the only thing that wasn’t milked out of the source material. It’s DeeDee who squeezes out some humanity from Gal, and it’s from their exchange we learn why Gal is in the business of thievery. More of this, and less of the flashy impersonations that border on parody, would’ve saved the series.
Save yourself some time watch the original instead.
The details
Streaming arrival
Who picked it
Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She's also seen You've Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it's one of the greatest films out there.
