The shift in true crime genre from dry documentaries to fictionalized versions of notable crimes has seen various degrees of success. Apple TV's "Manhunt", based on James L. Swanson's book "Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer", promised a high-paced chase and unveiling of the conspiracy behind Lincoln's death. Yet, as the series evolves, it becomes clear that the enthralling trailer significantly differs from the series itself.
The first episode sets a rather dull tone with hefty dialogues and sombre lighting, and it only gains momentum with the actual assassination scene. This remarkable scene, accompanied by a dread that pervades into the second episode, unfortunately, pales off by the third. Thus, what could have been an engaging thriller gets lost in the slow pace of historical storytelling and fragmented flashbacks, leaving the viewer waiting for the actual chase to commence.
Performances by Tobias Menzies as Edwin Stanton and Hamish Linklater as Abraham Lincoln add some shine to the series, offering moments of brilliance. At the same time, the character of Mary Simms, a Black woman trying to navigate her freedom amidst the chaos of Lincoln's death, stands out due to Lovie Simone's passionate performance.
Despite its high production quality and accurate historical representation, "Manhunt" may falter due to its inability to connect with viewers on an emotional level. The series of seven episodes stretches a story that occurred over twelve days, lacking the necessary stakes for a conspiracy thriller. Though it retells a historical event, the series is not as appealing as it could have been, revealing the possible pitfalls of adapting non-fiction works for the screen. The series premiers on March 15th.
