Review: Manhunt, A Thrilling New Series From Apple TV+

Air Date: Friday, January 26, 2024 on Apple TV+

Reviewer Rating: 4 Stars ★★★★★

“I’m a symbol.” John Wilkes Booth

Review: Manhunt, A Thrilling New Series From Apple TV+ 2

In the spring of 1865, at the end of four years of Civil War, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9. By April 14, with the weight of war lifted, President Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary sought respite at Ford’s Theater. Little do they suspect that unseen forces are in motion, poised to alter the course of history. These events set up Apple TV+’s latest limited series, Manhunt. The show brings to life the 12-day chase chronicled in James L. Swanson’s bestselling book, “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer.”

During my sophomore and junior years in high school, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., for a week-long educational trip to learn about how our government functions. Besides meeting newcomer to D.C., Bernie Sanders, one of the most memorable experiences was our visit to Ford’s Theatre and the adjacent residence where Lincoln was taken after being shot. When Apple TV announced the limited series, I knew this was going to be must watch television.

Fresh off the finale of Apple TV+’s other series Masters of the Air, I was thrilled to see Anthony Boyle immediately back on screen for Manhunt, this time as John Wilkes Booth. Boyle’s performance is nothing short of outstanding making me hopeful this back-to-back exposure to U.S. audiences is just the beginning for him. I cannot recall the last time an actor had one series end only to kick off a new show on the same network days later.

The true standout of the series is Tobias Menzies, who portrays U.S. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Every time Menzies graces the screen, I found myself riveted. His stoic presence is palpable as he takes on the dual task of hunting down Lincoln’s killer while desperately trying to safeguard the late President’s legacy. I wasn’t aware of Stanton, historically speaking, and based on the series, coupled with my own research, I’m surprised he’s not more well-known. Despite being in most of the scenes, I felt myself wanting even more of Menzies as Stanton.

The supporting cast also deserves applause. Matt Walsh brings depth to Dr. Samuel Mudd along with Lovie Simone’s shining performance as Mary Simms, one of Mudd’s slaves. And Patton Oswalt’s portrayal of Detective Lafayette Baker adds an intriguing layer to the investigation. I really enjoyed seeing Oswalt take on a more serious role.

Perhaps my biggest surprise came from the casting of an almost unrecognizable Hamish Linklater as Abraham Lincoln. I never would have thought of him to play Lincoln, but he nails it. Often, Lincoln is portrayed as a stoic character standing on a pedestal of admiration, even in life. Yet, in Manhunt, we get to see Lincoln as a man. There’s a unique personality to Linklater’s portrayal that makes him feel more human, whereas other actors seem to try too hard to live up to the myth. Linklater captures these moments beautifully as the President laughs, struggles, and makes tough decisions.

We get so much of Linklater’s performance because of the show’s use of flashbacks. As a viewer, I’ve often been wary of flashbacks. They can be a tricky storytelling device used to manipulate our perceptions or even create confusion. However, in Manhunt, showrunner Monica Beletsky and the talented directors have elevated the use of flashbacks to an art form. Each flashback serves a distinct purpose. Instead of chronological gimmicks, they deepen our understanding of characters, motivations, and plot dynamics.

Historical dramas often take artistic liberties for dramatic effect. Yet, great ones like Manhunt leave us with a thirst for knowledge. Despite having visited some of the principal locations and studied the subject matter, I was surprised by how much I still didn’t know. Google became a trusted companion as I kept questioning if a storyline was true or if it was a screenwriter’s artistic liberty? I will admit, more often than not, the show got it right. I quickly realized visiting historical locations can be an eye-opening experience, but even then, much of the story remains hidden beneath the surface. These layers of history are why shows like Manhunt are essential; they make you want to learn more.

My biggest gripe about the series is the score. Films set in that period including Glory, Gettysburg, and Gods and Generals, havecreated some of my favorite soundtracks, and I was excited to see what composer Bryce Dessner would give us. I was so disappointed that I actually reached out to Apple TV to inquire whether the advanced screeners provided to the press contained the definitive score or if it was still a work in progress. They assured me it was the final cut. Perhaps the timing of Manhunt airing closely after Apple TV+’s other series, Masters of the Air, with its breathtaking score added to the weight of my expectations and disappointment.

Manhunt is a riveting historical thriller that skillfully blends intrigue with a hint of the Nicolas Cage film National Treasure. Despite taking place over 158 years ago, the political debates and discourse from that era eerily resonate with what’s happening in our political environment today. In fact, certain political rhetoric seems to have been borrowed directly from some of our current leaders. The show wonderfully ties up loose ends, yet as the final 30 minutes unfold, one can’t help but wonder if there was enough untapped material to justify a compelling second season.

The first two episodes of this seven-part limited series premiere on Friday, March 15, with subsequent episodes releasing each Friday only on Apple TV+.

Let me know what you think of Manhunt. Leave your comments below or tweet me @StaffaRoadTrip.

Biography of the Author(Read Below)..
Latest Posts (view them )..

Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.