Jake Gyllenhaal Leads The Best Legal Drama Of The Year With Presumed Innocent
Based on the novel by Scott Turow, Presumed Innocent follows the life of chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal). When coworker Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve) is found murdered, Rusty is accused of being the perpetrator due to his romantic affair with the deceased. The Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office is thrown into chaos as they attempt to solve the case while uncovering lies and secrets.
The series is already renewed for a second season and is the most watched drama on Apple TV+ ever, which tells you everything you need to know. Presumed Innocent is the best legal and crime drama airing today. It is perfectly paced, the characters feel real, the drama is explosive, and Jake Gyllenhaal shines like never before. As much as you think you have this murder solved, you don’t, not until the very end.
While legal dramas can feel extremely procedural and analytical, this series tugs on your emotions. It plays with the ideas of right and wrong, and the blurred lines between them. No single character is completely innocent or perfect, which makes this series all that more relatable. The flawed characters make bad decisions, ones that make you want to scream at the TV, drawing you in further to the chaos and drama.
Jake Gyllenhaal is a standout as our leading man, but his range is what really seals the deal. He can flip from an emotionless prosecutor to a grieving lover to a compassionate father all within a ten minute sequence. The audience will doubt his character’s idea of the truth, but never Gyllenhaal’s talent.
The eight episode structure keeps the series on pace but compelling. At the end of each episode you are dying to watch the next, making this an addictive and quick watch. The case never feels convoluted or drawn out. The show unravels much like a real court case, making it easily digestible and linear, while also showing glimpses of the past.
The final episode is an absolute bombshell that equally answers all of your questions while also provoking more. I have never been so shocked by an ending sequence than while watching this series. Just as you are able to let out the breath you’ve been holding and understand the truth, another secret laid extremely hidden comes to light. It will question your beliefs in right, wrong, family, love, and protecting those closest to you.
Presumed Innocent is streaming on Apple TV+.
