The reimagined Paramount+ series Fatal Attraction, based on Adrian Lyne’s 1987 mega blockbuster, is not fatally flawed or overtly attractive. It falls somewhere in between to make it interesting enough to dive into but at the end of the day leaves you desiring for more. Pretty much like one of its lead characters — the obsessive Alex Forrest, pining after an unavailable man.
Alex was brought to life with vigor by Glenn Close in the original film, and here comes Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex, Fleishman Is in Trouble) who does it with grounded care in a tale that leaps off of its source material and dives into deeper waters as it attempts to explore the ripple effects of trauma and grief. It also tends to feel as if it is a master class on mental health issues.
However, the ’80s film which also starred Michael Douglas and Anne Archer had some flaws. Actually, prior release they redid ending making Glenn Close’s jilted and angry Alex — she of “I will not be ignored, Dan!” fame — into a bone fide slasher who would truly go in for the kill. A bit overdramatic perhaps towards the end but still quite solid movie that generated plenty buzz around spawning heated cultural conversation about marriage attraction infidelity Douglas and Close even graced Time magazine cover titled “The Thriller Is Back” while article unpacked how their characters lived “a nightmare of 80s.”
Unfortunately these new series lacked such kind of punch within its eight episodes. Death becomes her is what can best describe infamous Alex.
Developers Alexandra Cunningham (Desperate Housewives) And Kevin J. Hynes (Perry Mason) spin off from where original film ended—a harsh attack that results to Beth shooting Alex in her bathroom—into two stories; one set today and another during 2008.In present days Dan Gallagher (an effective Joshua Jackson) has been granted parole after serving 15 years for murder.
He was convicted of killing Alex, and in the process he lost everything: his regal legal career, wife (Amanda Peet), and their young daughter Ellen (Alyssa Jirrels) who is now grown up and trying to unravel her family’s dark past and its impact on her. Dan’s first plan to reunite with Ellen comes to nothing. Instead, he changes his mind and teams up with his investigating friend Mike (Toby Huss). That is because according to him he never killed Alex but wants justice.
Meanwhile, back in 2008, life couldn’t be better. This is where Fatal Attraction mirrors — almost to the letter — what happened in the original film. Dan works at the district attorney’s office where everyone swoons over his legal savvy; also he is a candidate for judgeship. Moreover, Alex who works for L.A.’s victim services department cannot resist Dan’s cocksure bravura either. In fact they take an instant liking just like those original characters did. There are flirty exchanges over drinks, well….and naturally sex ensues in Alex’s studio apartment which happens around her kitchen island too but there’s heat everywhere. Much heat here.
Episodes move and we encounter all these countless moments towards the death of Alex. The original had a few nuances that the creators have now added here, hence making it extra puffy as well as having some satirical take on how our past usually shapes us (more on that later).
Alex and Dan’s little affair leaves her emotionally attached to him. The original film shows us this same bonding between devious Alex and Dan’s daughter Ellen. But there is also a bunny-another neighbor’s pet. Look at what happens there, people! In the original, similar to it somehow, Dan will confront Alex eventually. However different from the initial version is the manner in which it unfolds. So, one thing should be understood: Alex’s death becomes an engine for this narrative of development.
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