Brian Tyree Henry Is a Spiraling ‘Dope Thief’ in Apple’s Nail-Biting Crime Drama: TV Review

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The crime drama “Dope Thief” starts off with a surprising twist: Two individuals, posing as DEA agents named Ray (played by Brian Tyree Henry) and Manny (portrayed by Wagner Moura), carry out a raid on a row house in Philadelphia. However, the sequence, skillfully directed by executive producer Ridley Scott, turns out to be a heart-stopping moment as they almost shoot an upstairs suspect, who turns out to be a child. It’s only after they’ve left their van that we understand these two are not actually federal agents but common thieves pretending to be so, targeting small-time dealers for money.

Based on Dennis Tafoya’s novel titled “Dope Thief”, the series is particularly gripping during sequences that sustain tension throughout, even as the narrative shifts between various directors such as Marcela Said from “Narcos: Mexico” and Jonathan van Tulleken from “Shōgun”. When Ray and Manny make a mistake by targeting the wrong individual and find themselves in over their heads, these scenes become pivotal. In this limited eight-episode series, the high-strung tension experienced by both the characters and viewers is transformed into satisfying action sequences. With gunfights, pursuits, raids, and a character dressed like Insane Clown Posse throwing Molotov cocktails in a quarry, “Dope Thief” demonstrates a commendable level of production quality made possible by Apple TV+’s substantial budget.

The payoff is crucial since “Dope Thief” consists of multiple tense moments that reflect Ray’s continuous turmoil throughout the story. Starting with a botched raid on a rural meth lab placing their lives in danger from biker gangs, Mexican cartels, the Vietnamese mob, and even the real DEA, Ray and Manny never get to relax. Their unfortunate decision jeopardizes not only Manny’s recently achieved sobriety but also Ray’s cherished stepmother Theresa (Kate Mulgrew, reprising her fiery character from seven seasons on “Orange Is the New Black”), forcing them into hiding. They are ensnared between two relentless pursuers: an unknown benefactor of the meth lab they destroyed following their failed robbery attempt, who communicates with them only through a threatening voice over a recovered walkie-talkie, and the federal agents, among whom were working undercover at the lab.

In his debut role as an executive producer, “Dope Thief” showcases Henry’s abilities, having gained recognition earlier for his compelling performance on “Atlanta.” Following his nomination for an Academy Award and a lead role in the cold, intellectual FBI series “Class of ’09,” Henry’s character in this project exhibits a confidence that influences others without the need for questions. However, when things go awry, his excessive talkativeness meets resistance. Ray’s schemes are effective – up until they aren’t – because he shares this trait with Henry. In their numerous heated exchanges, Moura and Mulgrew deliver strong opposition. A more subdued Ving Rhames portrays Bart, Ray’s father who is serving time in prison, providing a balanced counterpoint to Ray’s character.

In simpler terms, the outer parts of “Dope Thief” seem unnecessary and easily removable. The black-and-white flashbacks depicting Ray’s past traumas appear more like extra content, added to make the story longer than it needed to be, given that it could have been a full movie 15 years ago. This observation might seem obvious in a prestige miniseries from 2025, but it’s worth mentioning. Once Michelle, Bart’s lawyer who Theresa keeps pressuring him to meet despite his chaotic life, is revealed as a young woman, it’s predictable that they will become entangled, regardless of whether they have a believable connection or a solid reason for doing so.

It’s even more annoying for Henry that he can handle the show by himself, yet he still has to deal with all these choices. The actor truly shines in his performances, whether it’s scolding Bart for his history of domestic abuse or imagining his way through a gunshot wound infected with bacteria. Moreover, he fits perfectly into the town created by Tafoya, who continues as a consulting producer. There are plenty of Pennsylvania Dutch speakers, Eagles memorabilia, and shots of famous Philadelphia landmarks throughout the show. This local detail gives “Dope Thief” a urban feel similar to “Mare of Easttown,” a feeling that’s reinforced by Mina, played brilliantly by Marin Ireland, another female cop battling her own grief quietly. The series also contributes to the recent trend of crime shows set in the Philadelphia area, ranging from the comedic “Deli Boys” to “Long Bright River,” where Amanda Seyfried leads a mystery.

Tafoya’s novel was published in 2009, but in its adaptation, series creator Peter Craig (“The Town”), who writes each episode, transforms the narrative into a contemporary version of a period drama. The backdrop is distinctively set during a specific post-vaccine phase of the COVID era, as evidenced by characters wearing surgical masks, using plastic dividers, and discussing disrupted supply chains. This context, left implicit, contributes to an overall sense of persistent tension.

The character “Dope Thief” occasionally injects humor into the intense narrative, primarily through Mulgrew’s portrayal. (For instance, she attempts to stage a solitary intervention regarding Ray’s erratic actions; when he attempts to justify himself by claiming to be like Robin Hood, she swiftly counters with, “You didn’t help the poor!”) However, despite this, the show remains relentlessly intense, and by the end, you may find yourself yearning for a break rather than caring about Ray’s outcome. This isn’t due to any lack of skill or dedication on Henry’s part, but rather because some productions are simply too effective at causing tension.

Currently, the initial pair of “Dope Thief” series is accessible for streaming on Apple TV+, followed by new episodes being released every Friday.

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2025-03-14 18:51