Dakota Fanning’s 2-Season Sci-Fi Thriller With an 80% Audience Score Is a Hidden Gem Worth Binging

Dakota Fanning’s 2-Season Sci-Fi Thriller with 80% Audience Score

The Alienist is a dark, stylish mystery that combines crime and psychology, led by Dakota Fanning. At first, it seems like another gloomy period drama—featuring cobbled streets, gas lamps, and corseted intrigue. However, this series reveals itself as one of the most intelligent, slow-burning thrillers of the last decade.

Plot and Setting

Set in 1890s New York, the show explores the origins of criminal psychology, forensic science, and early women's rights advocacy. The story follows Dr. Laszlo Kreizler (Daniel Brühl), a criminal psychologist known then as an "alienist," who is tasked by Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Geraghty) to solve brutal murders of street children.

Main Characters

Dr. Laszlo Kreizler – criminal psychologist investigating the homicides.
John Moore (Luke Evans) – an illustrator aiding the investigation.
Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning) – Roosevelt’s secretary, NYPD’s first female employee, and an ambitious partner in the case.

Thematic Depth

The series vividly contrasts the opulence of Manhattan's wealthy districts with the harsh realities of tenements and brothels nearby, illustrating the stark divisions of 1896 society.

“The Alienist chronicles a nightmarish picture of a wealthy, divided Manhattan where gilded mansions are blocks away from the places street children call home.”

Background

The show is adapted from Caleb Carr’s 1994 bestseller, bringing historical depth and psychological intrigue to the screen.

Viewer Reception

Praised for its moody atmosphere and thoughtful pacing, the series maintains an 80% audience score, making it a hidden gem for fans of intelligent thrillers.

Author’s summary: A haunting, slow-burning thriller set in 1890s New York, The Alienist uniquely blends crime, psychology, and social issues with strong performances and atmospheric storytelling.

Collider — 2025-11-06