Furious: Thrilling and haunting, this series lives up to its name

Furious lives up to its name.

Furious tells the story of Alice Black (Emmy Rossum), an FBI agent who has been forced to change divisions due to an incident in her past. But Alice’s world is shaken by the revelation that a mysterious and calculating female serial killer has been unleashed (Lola Pettigrew) upon the city. Though the two women are walking their own paths towards justice, their lives slowly begin to intertwine, blurring the lines between right and wrong in ways that could leave them both changed forever.

FURIOUS – “First Look” – From Creator and Executive Producer Elizabeth Meriwether, “Furious” follows an FBI agent, Alice Black (Emmy Rossum) on the hunt for a mysterious and calculating female serial killer. Both walk their own paths toward justice, and as their lives start to intertwine, the line between right and wrong begins to blur. (Disney)
EMMY ROSSUM

Created by Elizabeth Meriwether, Furious is stunning television. With genuine heat, the series burns with the kind of deep-seeded rage that threatens to incinerate its characters along the way. These are characters who have steeped in darkness, clawing feebly towards any form of light and hope in a world that’s come unhinged. With a sizzling script that understands where it wants to take its audience from the opening episode, the series is tightly written, unafraid to show us the darkest impulses of humanity but also how we get there. It’s brutal, unrelenting… and utterly brilliant.

Leading the charge is an incredible performance by Rossum as Alice. As Alice, Rossum feels entirely focused on balancing Alice’s gravitas with the weight of her personal struggles. She’s committed to the job and relentless in her pursuit. But there’s also history there that reminds us of her own personal damage. Even so, her past isn’t merely a story point. It’s also serves as the driving force behind her character. Without saying too much, Rossum ensures that we feel Alice’s brokenness even as she strives to move forward with her life. She’s haunted by hurt but she’s also fighting to heal, and that makes her stronger.

FURIOUS – “First Look” – From Creator and Executive Producer Elizabeth Meriwether, “Furious” follows an FBI agent, Alice Black (Emmy Rossum) on the hunt for a mysterious and calculating female serial killer. Both walk their own paths toward justice, and as their lives start to intertwine, the line between right and wrong begins to blur. (Disney/Sarah Shatz)
LOLA PETTICREW

At the same time, Rossum is balanced out but an Emmy-worthy performance by Petticrew. As Catherine, Lola fully embraces her inner monster. She’s violent, vicious and unforgiving as she strikes down her prey one after another.  However, despite the brutality of her actions, Petticrew never makes her character entirely unsympathetic. As Catherine’s history is revealed, the series begins to view her with compassionate lens.

In this sense, Furious reminds the viewer what it means to make our own monsters. Through Catherine’s murderous rampage, Furious pulls back the lens to reveal the pervasive darkness around her that shaped her into the person that she’s become. Every revelation that comes to the light paints a different portrait of her, offering more complexity (and sympathy) to her journey. In this way, while her actions are never justified, they become more understandable.

FURIOUS – “First Look” – From Creator and Executive Producer Elizabeth Meriwether, “Furious” follows an FBI agent, Alice Black (Emmy Rossum) on the hunt for a mysterious and calculating female serial killer. Both walk their own paths toward justice, and as their lives start to intertwine, the line between right and wrong begins to blur. (Disney/Sarah Shatz)
EMMY ROSSUM

Interestingly, by holding the journeys of Catherine and Alice in juxtaposition to one another, Furious really does explore the necessity (and process) of justice. Though both women have been hurt by others, the two women have taken entirely different paths in their attempts to move forward. Yet, even so, the series takes the time to show how their differences become blurred along the way. Both demand justice and, perhaps, they’re not as different as they initially believed.

But that’s also part of the power of this series. Despite the fact that these characters remain immersed in an evil world, the series looks to empower its victims with furious intentionality. We hear the stories of oppression and violence against women but Furious never leaves the audience without responsibility.

Instead, Furious serves as a warning shot.

FURIOUS – “First Look” – From Creator and Executive Producer Elizabeth Meriwether, “Furious” follows an FBI agent, Alice Black (Emmy Rossum) on the hunt for a mysterious and calculating female serial killer. Both walk their own paths toward justice, and as their lives start to intertwine, the line between right and wrong begins to blur. (Disney/Sarah Shatz)
EMMY ROSSUM, QUINCY TYLER BERNSTINE

This is the very definition of a cry for justice and, even more importantly, empowerment. There’s a recognition of the power of listening to those who have been damaged at the hands of others and giving them back a voice that’s been taken from them. (At the same time though, Furious also points out how few people actually are willing to do so.)

Having said this, it goes without saying that Furious isn’t exactly kid-friendly. This is the type of series that takes the gloves off from the opening moments and is willing to explore the shadows that we wish didn’t exist. But sometimes that’s necessary. And Furious might just be necessary viewing.

The first three episodes of Furious begin streaming on Hulu on Disney+ on Monday, July 27^th, 2026, with new episodes weekly.