Presumed Innocent is a gripping legal drama that expertly blends courtroom tension with personal intrigue. David E. Kelley created the series, based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Scott Turow. Starring the talented Jake Gyllenhaal as Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor accused of murdering his colleague, the series delves into themes of justice, betrayal, and the murky nature of truth.
Presumed Innocent begins like a typical thriller or detective series, but it quickly distinguishes itself with each successive episode. Initially, it seems straightforward, but the intrigue deepens, and the complexity of the main character unravels in fascinating ways. Just when you think the protagonist couldn’t be any more suspicious, the plot introduces more layers of doubt and mistrust.
Presumed Innocent series expertly keeps you on edge, making you question the main character’s innocence repeatedly. The storyline crafted to push beyond the boundaries, making you believe that the character has hit rock bottom, only to reveal yet another twist that makes you reconsider everything. This show has it all. A family struggling with infidelity. Bias in the justice system. Great writing, fantastic acting, pain, sorrow, horror, jealousy, insecurity, drama, corruption, love, heart felt moments… even friendship.
Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance is so powerful. I feel as if it is happening to me. He is just unraveling in this world and absolutely getting shredded apart. I absolutely do not agree with half of his actions but I still am wanting him to fight for his life. Peter Skarsgaard is so great that I couldn’t help myself but punch a pillow a couple of times because not only is this character well written and developed, but there’s a chilling effect to the work the actor puts into this role. Ruth Negga on the other hand exhibits what is probably the most touching and somehow relatable performance.
With its smart writing and strong cast, Presumed Innocent is a must-watch for fans of legal thrillers.
My Rating: 4/5
Review by Aqib Raza