Nemesis Brings the Heat

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Movies love to copy the style of Heat – think films like The Town, Den of Thieves, and Crime 101. We often see stories about desperate criminals and the equally troubled cops pursuing them, hitting all the familiar story points: a criminal’s personal life gets tangled with their work, a heist threatens a team’s loyalty, and cops sometimes prove just as corrupt as the criminals they chase. I’ll still watch these movies because Heat remains the gold standard, but they’re starting to feel stale, like everyone’s trying to recreate Michael Mann’s vision long after he’s finished. I didn’t expect the next great take on Heat to appear on television – especially considering the original TV movie version didn’t compare to the Al Pacino–Robert De Niro film. But that’s exactly what Nemesis is: a complex, fast-paced series that captures the excitement and energy that make the cops-and-robbers genre so compelling. It’s thrilling and action-packed, but also emotionally resonant, and it’s one of the best new shows Netflix has released this year.

Courtney A. Kemp, the creator of the hit show Power, is a major force in crime television. She not only created Power – which grew into a hugely popular franchise on Starz – but also shaped its direction. While producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson contributed to the show’s realism, the core concept – a drug dealer and club owner trying to escape his life of crime – was Kemp’s idea. She brings that same focus on complex, morally ambiguous men to her new series, Nemesis, co-created with her partner, Tani Marole. This time, the story centers on both a police officer, Isaiah Stiles (Matthew Law), and a criminal, Coltrane Wilder (Y’lan Noel). What’s particularly refreshing about Nemesis, which premieres all eight episodes today on Netflix, is that it avoids common streaming pitfalls. The plot doesn’t drag on unnecessarily or feel like a prolonged setup for future seasons. Kemp’s experience running Power and previously producing The Good Wife is evident – Nemesis is a well-crafted show with clear beginnings and endings, a good pace, and a compelling story. It’s deeply rooted in the culture of Black Los Angeles, feeling authentic and lived-in, blending the style of a nighttime soap opera with the intensity of a 1990s thriller. And for fans of The Wire, the show features six actors from that acclaimed series, including Domenick Lombardozzi and Chris Bauer – what more could you ask for?

The series Nemesis starts with a striking scene. At a Halloween party in a Beverly Hills mansion, Coltrane and his wife, Ebony, pay a security guard to let them into an upstairs bedroom for a quick encounter. They’re intensely attracted to each other and see no immediate problem with a discreet bribe. However, once inside, both Coltrane and Ebony drop their playful personas. Coltrane swaps his costume, inspired by Wesley Snipes in New Jack City, for a classic gangster look, while Ebony plays a recording of suggestive sounds. Coltrane then sneaks off to let in his crew – Stro, Stro’s uncle Deon, and Choi – to rob a high-stakes poker game happening in the basement. Even with a mask, Noel (Coltrane) exudes charm, delivering lines like “These guns are real and our intention is malicious” with unwavering confidence. As the crew leaves the party, still in costume and carrying the stolen money in pillowcases, the scene feels reminiscent of Ocean’s Eleven or Inside Man, perfectly set to Nipsey Hussle’s “Grinding All My Life.” As one character might say, this crew is exceptionally skilled.

Look, I really believe in Isaiah, and it frustrates me that nobody at the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division seems to take him seriously. He’s been working this case on his own for two years, convinced there’s a highly dangerous crew out there responsible for millions in stolen goods – everything from diamonds to drugs. What’s even worse, he thinks they’ve committed multiple murders during these heists, including the death of someone he used to mentor, Shaw. This obsession has really taken a toll on his life. It’s driven a wedge between him and his wife, Candace, he’s lost the respect of his boss, Jimmy, who’s like a father to him, and it’s even pushing his son, Noah, towards his estranged, ex-con grandfather, Amos. He’s completely consumed by this case, and Janelle Law, who I love as O’Shon on Abbott Elementary, is unrecognizable here. She plays a man who’s intense, quick-tempered, and constantly on edge, always looking for the next criminal to pursue.

It’s inevitable that Coltrane and Isaiah will cross paths, and the way Nemesis brings that about is brilliantly done – I won’t give away how! The show is full of familiar crime drama elements, and also includes clever references to films like Heat, the work of Martin Scorsese (one character’s Instagram handle is even a nod to him), Widows, and classic Black crime films like Dead Presidents and Boyz n the Hood. These films are influential for a reason, and Nemesis integrates these homages seamlessly into a world that already feels rich and complete, filled with complex characters from all walks of life. Watching Nemesis, you’ll notice how other shows often cut corners – by giving their main characters few friends, or using limited sets. This show, however, clearly has a substantial budget, which allows for a vibrant and realistically populated Los Angeles, complete with diverse criminal elements – including Mexican, Iranian, and Armenian gangs. What’s especially refreshing for this genre is the number of fully developed female characters.

As Coltrane and Isaiah become enemies, the show focuses on three women connected to them, whose desires often clash with the men’s. Ebony and Candace are unusually complex characters, far from simple, suffering wives, and Coleman, reminiscent of her standout performance in Clipped, powerfully portrays the frustration of a constantly underestimated woman. The relationship between Ebony and her older sister, Charlie (Sophina Brown), who also helps Coltrane sell stolen goods, is incredibly nuanced – filled with resentment, love, and conflict, unlike anything typically seen in this type of show. Their discussions about creating their own escape plan, independent of Coltrane’s schemes, effectively demonstrate that Nemesis doesn’t shy away from the emotional toll Coltrane and his team inflict on both their families and their victims, despite the show’s fast-paced action.

What makes the show Nemesis so captivating is the moral ambiguity of its characters. You’re constantly unsure who to root for – the police, who believe they’re protecting the public but are willing to bend the rules (and even break them) to achieve their goals, or the robbers, who are fiercely loyal to each other and desperate to survive. This uncertainty, combined with the show’s often over-the-top dialogue (like when one character declares another will become “Black history”), keeps you hooked. The heists themselves are cleverly staged in unexpected locations, like jewelry stores and pharmacies, with one particular scene where Coltrane’s crew ambushes Isaiah’s team being a standout. While the largest action sequence is a bit limited in scope, it makes up for it with excellent sound design. The show excels at building tension, knowing that eventually, someone will make a mistake and people will suffer, and promising that the aftermath will be just as compelling as what came before. Nemesis doesn’t shy away from the consequences of the violence and adds depth by focusing on characters like Noah, who is becoming increasingly disillusioned, and Deon and Stro, whose family is at risk. The rivalry between Coltrane and Isaiah is a highlight, but it’s just one part of a rich and complex show that skillfully blends familiar tropes with fresh, original ideas.

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2026-05-14 19:55