Presumed Innocent Review: Jake Gyllenhaal Sizzles in a Binge-Worthy Apple TV+ Series

The verdict is in: Presumed Innocent is one of the best thrillers of the year. Anchored by a commanding performance by Jake Gyllenhaal, a powerful supporting cast, and executive producer/showrunner David E. Kelley’s creative retooling, the eight-episode series based on Scott Turow’s 1987 novel nicely refreshes the 1990 film version starring Harrison Ford. The result is riveting and thoroughly engaging.

Gyllenhaal stars as befuddled deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich, whose life, career, and family are thrown into turmoil after the gritty murder of his coworker, Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve). Rusty becomes the primary suspect in that murder, which sends shockwaves through the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office because, suddenly, all eyes are on one of its own.

Fans of shows that revolve around obsession, politics, sex, power, and forbidden love will appreciate this series, which offers Jake Gyllenhaal yet another opportunity to show his exceptional range as an actor. The man is exhilarating from beginning to end, and Kelley’s take on the character is more grounded and realistic, presenting Rusty/the accused as a flawed, conflicting man who is desperately trying to hang onto his family and marriage. The stellar ensemble shines, too, and includes Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, O-T Fagbenle, Peter Sarsgaard, Chase Infiniti, Nana Mensah, Kingston Rumi Southwick and Elizabeth Marvel.

Slick Script Filled With Well-Rounded Characters

Presumed Innocent (2024)

4.5/5

Release Date

June 14, 2024

Cast

Jake Gyllenhaal , Ruth Negga , Bill Camp , Elizabeth Marvel , Renate Reinsve , Peter Sarsgaard , O-T Fagbenle , Chase Infiniti , Lily Rabe , Nana Mensah , Matthew Alan , Kingston Rumi Southwick

Seasons

1

Streaming Service(s)

Apple TV+

Pros

• Compared to the film version, Presumed Innocent allows its entire ensemble cast to shine rather than focusing entirely on Gyllenhaal’s character.
• The Apple TV+ drama finds success as a deep character study.
• Each episode ends with an intriguing climax, building anticipation for the next outing.
• Jake Gyllenhaal delivers an award-worthy performance.

Cons

• At some points, it’s hard to believe that someone as smart as Rusty would make so many ignorant decisions.

With Gyllenhaal on board as executive producer, along with Turow and Miki Johnson, audiences are in good hands. It’s clear from the production value, the writing, the tone, and the pace of the series – plenty of twists here – that the creative team behind the scenes synced up with the actors because this is some of the finest episodic television to come along in some time.

One of the things that stands out in this iteration, as opposed to the 1990 film version, is how well-rounded all the characters are. The film version kept the sharp focus on Ford, but here, the entire ensemble gets more screen time. More so, the female characters, particularly, are something to marvel at. Their reactions to Rusty’s sudden debacle are truthful and well-played.

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The series, which takes place in The Windy City, doesn’t waste time revealing that Rusty and Carolyn had an affair. Bit by bit, more details of their connection come into view. Rather than leaning into tropes – the wounded wife – Kelley gives Ruth Negga (Rusty’s wife Barbara) a marvelous story arc, allowing us to explore this one woman’s unique journey of a woman/wife/mother who was already experiencing marriage fatigue but graciously opts to see Rusty through the sudden furor, hold the family intact, but speak her mind every step of the way. Kelley follows suit with almost all his other characters, too, making Presumed Innocent something more than just a tale about one man being accused of a murder that he says he didn’t commit, but a deeper character study on leaning into (or not) integrity during the unprecedented challenges.

House of the Dragon Director Ups the Stakes

It’s good to see Emmy Award-winning director Greg Yaitanes (House, House of the Dragon) here, who’s also on board as executive producer, directing Episodes 3 through 7. The episodes sizzle under his command because the man knows how to handle big scenes, large casts, and a bevy of moving pieces.

Tensions abound throughout the story. Upon hearing the news of Carolyn’s death, DA Raymond Horgan (Bill Camp at his finest) assigns the cast to Rusty. A contentious Illinois primary soon overturns Rusty’s case, and he’s booted out, ushering in the new DA, Nico Della Guardia (O-T Fagbenle unfettered from The Handmaid’s Tale angst). Guardia assigns slick but abhorrent Tommy Molto (Peter Sarsgaard), Rusty’s colleague. Tommy never liked Rusty, and vice versa. Suddenly, the case feels like a personal vendetta to punish Rusty from becoming the alpha male in the office. Sarsgaard never fails to impress. He’s cranked up the “ick” factor here.

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Then there’s Carolyn. We learn more about the deceased as the episodes roll along. Renate Reinsve turns in a compelling performance as a smart, savvy lawyer who, against better judgment, leans into the attraction she and Rusty share. Their relationship wasn’t all rosy, either, and there’s great intrigue in watching how well Kelley paces out these bigger reveals. You wonder: Maybe Rusty could have done it. Did he?

That’s the fun of tuning in. Each episode ends with some kind of climax. New characters emerge, particularly relating to Carolyn’s past, as her ex-husband and teenage son pepper the already-packed plot with even more mystery. In the center of that intrigue is Rusty himself. It’s rare in a series to see this many shades of gray in a character and actually have it pay off.

In films, a flawed character like Rusty may have been played way over the top. Not so here. Jake Gyllenhaal turns in an award-worthy performance as a troubled man who suddenly must wrestle with his own soul. And the fact that he’s not entirely sure if he can be redeemed for his past mistakes is a fine twist indeed. Presumed Innocent is a must-watch. Disorder in the court has never been this fun. Presumed Innocent streams on Apple TV+ beginning June 12.