The opening scenes of the first episode of Cross, created by Ben Watkins, lead you to facepalm. The show quickly checks all the boxes, like killing a wife (after displaying the couple sharing a very blissful moment) and establishing the main character's intelligence by putting him in a challenging situation. If things are riddled with such dull clichés at the beginning itself, should you remain optimistic about the other episodes? I had some faith in Cross, and I wish I could say it kept improving as it moved forward. Alex (Aldis Hodge) is a tough cop, which means he can confidently tell his superior officer whether she is interested in solving a murder or maintaining good PR. This guy has no filter. In this crime-riddled world, Alex has no time for nonsense. And just look at the criminal: He is a serial killer. His identity is not a spoiler. The man - or call him a monster - is Ed Ramsey (Ryan Eggold), a power broker who can flick a switch and act like the most innocent and charming person in the world. The awkwardness he exudes in front of Shannon (Eloise Mumford) makes him look so sweet, so harmless, that you believe his smile is capable of breaking anyone's emotional defenses.
Like most psychopaths, Ramsey harbors delusions of greatness. He considers himself an artist, though the police start identifying him as a fanboy because he applies makeup on his victims to make them look like his favorite serial killers. Ramsey has a book with pictures of his favorite murderers on one side and their lookalikes (created by him) on the other. I found Ramsey's "celebrity" worship quite dumb. Surely, he could have come up with better ways to honor his idols. The character could apply makeup on himself and commit murder like his favorite icon he is meant to represent at the particular moment. What's the point of going through all the trouble only to give the victims the same death as the serial killer he/she is meant to represent? What's he trying to convey? Is Ramsey suggesting that his idols deserved death? People burn the statue of a person they intensely hate. Ramsey's actions give you a similar impression. I don't think the ghosts of his favorite "celebrities" would be too impressed by his gesture.
Wait till you discover Ramsey's motivation. Why is he like this? Blame the mother. I am tired of this explanation. Instead of going through the same old routine, just give us pure evil. Forget all about tragic backstories; just unleash the mayhem and make it deliciously thrilling and fun. This is precisely what doesn't happen in Cross. The series, by providing us with all the necessary information, turns itself into a cat-and-mouse game, which could have yielded its own rewards. The problem, however, is that the detective work is presented as a chore. Cross isn't embellished with a wacky style. It's not even infused with a nightmarish vision. It stumbles and, at times, comes to a complete stop. There is no rhythm, no momentum - it's a slog. The interrogation scene near the beginning of the first episode proves that Alex is intelligent. The rest of the show carries out the same task. Since nothing captures our attention or imagination, it feels as if the eight episodes are created to merely celebrate Alex's brainpower. Cross comes across as a fan of Alex Cross.
These "thinking moments," alas, aren't displayed with much vigor either. When we see Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock immersed in his mind palace, we experience the pleasure of watching a smart person at work. Hodge shows Alex's thoughts through an unremarkable "thinking face" while the camera swirls hard to generate sparks of enthusiasm. This literal-minded depiction fails to arouse your interest in the character as well as his actions. Then, there is the tone of this series that offers mixed signals. Alex and his trauma imbue Cross with a self-serious atmosphere. Bobby (Johnny Ray Gill), with his overexcited gestures, seems to belong to a cheeky production. The song, during the climactic fight of the final episode, sends the show in a different, "don't take all this very seriously" direction. The various moods cancel each other out, leaving you with something impersonal. It's hard to care about anything that goes on in Cross.
There are three or four "high moments" that work, like the scene where Alex tells a boy to repeat that he's a superhero or that verbal clash between Ramsey and Alex. These moments, though, exist in isolation. They hit you with a sudden spark, and then, after a while, you are once again left enervated. Perhaps Cross should have just focused on one element: Immersing the audience in a chilling storyline centered around a relentless serial killer or delving into personal revenge. But would that have made things better? I have my doubts.
Final Score- [3.5/10]
Reviewed by - Vikas Yadav
Follow @vikasonorous on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times
Note: All 8 episodes are screened for this review.
Premiere Date: November 14, 2024, on Prime Video