Ripley (2024): TV Review

Netflix’s latest psychological thriller Ripley delivers a masterfully crafted adaptation that reinvents Patricia Highsmith’s iconic character for a new generation. Steven Zaillian’s black-and-white miniseries transforms the familiar tale of Tom into a haunting neo-noir experience that stands apart from previous adaptations while honoring the source material’s psychological complexity.

The Bottom Line

This series succeeds as both a faithful adaptation and a bold artistic statement, offering viewers a meticulously crafted psychological study that benefits from Andrew Scott’s magnetic performance and Zaillian’s distinctive visual approach.

Plot and Setting

Set in 1960s Italy, Ripley follows Tom, a small-time grifter living in New York who accepts a peculiar job offer. Wealthy industrialist Herbert Greenleaf hires Tom to travel to Italy and convince his wayward son Dickie to return home. What begins as a straightforward assignment quickly evolves into a complex web of deception, identity theft, and murder.

The series expands upon the familiar narrative, giving audiences a deeper exploration of Tom’s psychological makeup and criminal methodology. Unlike previous adaptations that focused primarily on the charismatic aspects of the character, this iteration presents the protagonist as a more calculated and methodical predator.

Key Plot Elements:

• Tom’s life as a con artist in New York City • His journey to the Italian Riviera to find Dickie Greenleaf • The development of his obsession with Dickie’s lifestyle • The gradual escalation from impersonation to murder • Ripley’s attempts to maintain his false identities

Cast and Performances

Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley

Andrew Scott, the acclaimed Irish actor known for his roles as Jim Moriarty in “Sherlock” and the Hot Priest in “Fleabag,” brings a distinctly different energy to Tom Ripley. Born in Dublin in 1976, Scott has built a reputation for playing complex, morally ambiguous characters with remarkable depth.

Scott’s approach to Tom is revelatory. The actor described understanding what the character does as “arduous,” explaining that “it’s actually the blankness that’s sometimes hard to engage with”. This interpretation presents Tom as an older, more experienced criminal than previous versions, emphasizing his methodical nature over charismatic manipulation.

Scott’s performance benefits from his extensive theatrical background. Having won two Laurence Olivier Awards and a BAFTA Television Award for Best Supporting Actor, Scott brings gravitas and psychological nuance to the role. His portrayal avoids the pitfall of making Tom too sympathetic, instead presenting him as a genuinely unsettling figure whose charm masks profound emptiness.

Dakota Fanning as Marge Sherwood

Dakota Fanning, who began her professional acting career at age five and became the youngest Screen Actors Guild Award nominee in history for “I Am Sam,” brings maturity and intelligence to Marge Sherwood. Now 30, Fanning has successfully transitioned from child star to accomplished adult performer.

Fanning’s Marge is more perceptive and suspicious than previous iterations. Her extensive filmography, including roles in “War of the Worlds,” “The Twilight Saga,” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” has prepared her for this complex psychological drama. She portrays Marge as an intelligent woman who becomes increasingly aware that something is fundamentally wrong with Tom, creating genuine tension in their interactions.

Supporting Cast Excellence

• Johnny Flynn delivers a nuanced performance as Dickie Greenleaf, presenting him as both privileged and vulnerable • Margherita Buy provides gravitas as Signora Buffi, a local Italian woman who becomes suspicious of Tom’s activities • John Malkovich makes a memorable appearance as Reeves Minot, notably his second time in Tom’s universe after starring in “Ripley’s Game” (2002)

Visual Style and Direction

Steven Zaillian’s decision to shoot Ripley in black and white proves to be the series’ most striking artistic choice. This aesthetic decision serves multiple narrative purposes, creating a timeless quality that emphasizes the moral ambiguity at the story’s heart.

Cinematographic Brilliance

The monochromatic palette enhances the noir atmosphere while drawing attention to composition, lighting, and texture. Critics have praised the series as “bathed in opulent black and white,” creating a visual style that references classic noir and Italian cinema greats.

The Italian locations become characters themselves. From the narrow streets of Atrani to the grand architecture of Rome, each setting contributes to Tom’s psychological journey. The production team’s attention to period detail creates an immersive 1960s atmosphere without relying on saturated color palettes.

Pacing and Structure

While some viewers may find the series’ measured tempo challenging, the deliberate pacing allows for character development and psychological exploration. Each of the eight episodes builds tension methodically, reflecting Tom’s own calculated approach to his criminal activities.

Themes and Character Development

Identity and Deception

The series explores the malleable nature of identity in ways that feel particularly relevant to contemporary audiences. Ripley examines how easily Tom assumes different personas, raising questions about authenticity and self-construction in modern society.

The theme of financial mobility through deception resonates with current discussions about wealth inequality and social climbing. For viewers interested in financial analysis and economic themes, resources like HablemosMoney provide insights into the economic realities that drive characters like Tom to desperate measures.

Psychological Complexity

Unlike previous adaptations that often portrayed Tom as charming or sympathetic, this version presents him as genuinely disturbing. The series treats the character in a distinctly different light, showing how he lives the life of a grifter in New York through various fictional identities.

Key psychological elements include: • Tom’s inability to form genuine emotional connections • His methodical approach to crime and deception
• The gradual revelation of his complete lack of empathy • His talent for mimicry and social adaptation

Cultural Impact and Critical Reception

Ripley debuted at number six on Netflix’s Top 10 TV English titles with 16.9 million hours viewed in its first week, maintaining strong viewership in subsequent weeks. The series has garnered significant critical acclaim and awards attention.

Awards Recognition

At the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, the series received 14 nominations, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and acting nominations for both Scott and Fanning, winning 4 awards including Outstanding Directing.

Critical Consensus

The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an 86% approval rating with critics praising the “sumptuous reinterpretation” that “draws fresh blood from Patricia Highsmith’s insidious social climber”. Professional critics have particularly praised:

• Andrew Scott’s transformative lead performance • The distinctive black-and-white cinematography
• Steven Zaillian’s faithful yet innovative adaptation • The series’ psychological depth and moral complexity

Comparison to Previous Adaptations

The series distinguishes itself from earlier adaptations by focusing on the character’s criminal methodology rather than his charismatic appeal. While the 1999 film “The Talented Mr. Ripley” emphasized Tom’s charm and tragic circumstances, this series presents him as a more calculated predator.

What Sets This Version Apart:

1. Age and Experience: Scott’s Tom is older and more experienced than previous versions
2. Visual Style: The black-and-white aesthetic creates a unique noir atmosphere
3. Psychological Depth: Extended runtime allows for deeper character exploration
4. Moral Clarity: Less ambiguous about the protagonist’s dangerous nature

The series benefits from its format, allowing for the kind of character development and psychological exploration that feature films cannot achieve. This aligns with broader trends in psychological thriller television that prioritize complex character studies over simple entertainment.

Technical Excellence

Production Values

The series demonstrates exceptional attention to detail in every technical aspect. From costume design that accurately reflects 1960s fashion to set decoration that brings period Italy to life, Ripley maintains consistently high production standards.

Sound Design and Music

The minimal score enhances rather than overwhelms the narrative, allowing Scott’s performance and the ambient sounds of Italian locations to drive the emotional impact. This restraint reflects the series’ overall confidence in its visual storytelling.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Major Strengths:

• Andrew Scott’s magnetic yet unsettling performance • Distinctive black-and-white cinematography that enhances the noir atmosphere • Faithful adaptation that expands meaningfully on source material • Strong supporting performances, particularly from Dakota Fanning • Exceptional production design and attention to period detail • Psychological complexity that rewards careful viewing

Potential Weaknesses:

• Deliberate pacing may challenge viewers seeking faster narratives • Some viewers might miss the color photography of Italian locations • The psychological complexity requires significant viewer engagement • Limited action sequences compared to other thriller series

Who Should Watch Ripley

The series will particularly appeal to:

• Fans of psychological thrillers who appreciate character-driven narratives • Viewers who enjoyed Andrew Scott’s previous work in “Sherlock” and “Fleabag”
• Admirers of classic film noir and black-and-white cinematography • Those interested in complex moral narratives without clear heroes • Audiences who appreciate slow-burn tension over immediate gratification

The series may be less suitable for viewers seeking fast-paced action or clear moral distinctions between characters.

Final Verdict

The miniseries succeeds as both entertainment and art, offering a sophisticated psychological thriller that benefits from exceptional performances and distinctive visual style. Steven Zaillian has created a series that honors Patricia Highsmith’s source material while offering fresh insights into one of literature’s most compelling anti-heroes.

Andrew Scott’s performance alone makes the series essential viewing. His portrayal of Tom as a calculated predator rather than a tragic figure represents a bold interpretive choice that pays significant dividends. Combined with Dakota Fanning’s intelligent supporting work and the series’ stunning black-and-white cinematography, this adaptation establishes itself as one of 2024’s most accomplished limited series.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

This adaptation demonstrates that classic stories can be reimagined successfully when approached with artistic vision and respect for source material. The series proves that Tom’s psychological complexity remains as compelling today as when Patricia Highsmith first created the character, making it a standout addition to Netflix’s psychological thriller catalog.

Ripley is currently streaming exclusively on Netflix. All eight episodes are available for viewing.