Cape Fear is now streaming on Apple TV, and the critical response is in on Javier Bardem’s turn as Max Cady, the role that earned Robert De Niro an Oscar nomination in 1991.
The 10-episode limited series debuted its first two episodes on Friday. Bardem stars as Max Cady, an ex-convict released from prison after being exonerated of murder, who sets out for revenge against the married attorneys responsible for his conviction — Anna and Tom Bowden, played by Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson.
CCH Pounder and Jamie Hector also appear in the cast. The series is set in modern-day Savannah, Georgia and is created by Nick Antosca, who also serves as showrunner. Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg executive produce.
The show is the third screen adaptation of John D. MacDonald’s 1957 novel The Executioners, following the 1962 film starring Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck and Scorsese’s 1991 version with Robert De Niro. One notable change in this iteration: Cady’s original crime has been rewritten from rape to murder, and he arrives in the Bowdens’ lives as a newly exonerated man.
Bardem told The Wrap at the show’s premiere that the reimagining was the only reason he signed on. “I would have never dared to even get close to him if this was just a remake. I mean, I wouldn’t even dare to touch that character.” Antosca added that the expanded format allowed him to complicate everyone on screen. “In this version, both the family and the monster are more complicated,” he said.
What are critics saying about ‘Cape Fear’?
Variety called it “perhaps the most unnerving and intense retelling yet,” writing:
“A portrait of a family undone and a wronged man determined to seek vengeance, Cape Fear explores betrayal, retribution and what it really means to demand an eye for an eye.”
NPR wrote:
“It’s set in today’s world, so there are cell phones, podcasters, rideshares, catfishing and public shaming — all of which figure into the plot.”
TVLine gave the series a C+:
“Javier Bardem is absolutely masterful as violent ex-con Max Cady; he nearly makes the whole series worth watching all by himself.”
The Wrap wrote:
“Bardem plays Cady to deranged perfection, walking into this series with such ferocity that his presence is felt even when he is nowhere near the frame.”
When does ‘Cape Fear’ air?
Cape Fear is now streaming on Apple TV with new episodes dropping every Friday through July 31.
Featured image photo credit: Apple TV+
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