Few moments are more infamous in American history than the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. After years of fighting the Civil War, Lincoln had finally completed his task. With Lee’s surrender, he wanted to move forward with the act of reconstruction. Obviously, we know John Wilkes Booth cut that time short, but the story behind Booth’s capture proves thrilling throughout Manhunt. Excellent craftwork and a committed cast help Manhunt one of the sleeper achievements of 2024 on TV.
Manhunt – The Plot
The new Apple TV+ series centers on two stories – Booth (Anthony Boyle) as part of a larger conspiracy and Edwin Stanton’s (Tobias Menzies) hunt for the traitors. Over the course of the series, we watch as Booth and his compatriots move the final pieces into position to kill Lincoln. When the right opportunity presents itself, their three-pronged plan springs into action. Simultaneously, we watch Stanton move from a role as U.S. Secretary of War to the chief investigator of the plot.
The Critique
Tackling an era of history that has been valorized is difficult. After all, many of the men who occupy the series have been canonized or villainized. Additionally, we know how the events unfold, which takes away some of the ultimate mystery. Despite this, Manhunt and creator Monica Beletsky dig deep to explore the darker sides of the tragedy. As such, it creates a sprawling portrait of a nation willing to do anything to avenge its leader while showing the personal stakes for each individual involved.
As we watch Menzies hunt for Booth, Manhunt digs into the darkness. It’s most apparent when watching Union soldiers torture and beat those tied to the crime. The garish scenes of Mary Surratt (Carrie Lazar) are upsetting and paint a picture of how the assassination so thoroughly shocked the nation. Desperation to find Booth pushes men beyond logic and, in one case, even causes them to believe they were born for this moment. Actions and due process go out the window, showing a brutal search to avenge a brutal act.
We also observe the anger and righteousness of those who killed Lincoln. They are never painted in a positive light, instead proving to be every bit as awful as you would expect. A nuanced portrayal of Samuel Mudd by Matt Walsh showcases how these men and women posed as ordinary people after their actions. However, in private moments with Mary Simms (Lovie Simone), Mudd proves every bit the racist you would expect. It’s hard to separate Manhunt from other historical tragedies searches for those who attempt to reassimilate to life after partaking in destructive acts.
In that vein, divorcing the series from modern-day political discussions is difficult. As the conspirators run and hide in plain sight, it’s easy to compare rioters from January 6th. These individuals often returned home only to be arrested in the following months. Simultaneously, Seward repeats that there must be a line in the sand for acceptable behavior. There must be consequences for actions. The framing of these ideas, are juxtaposed against President Johnson (a very good Glenn Morshower). Johnson would go on to be impeached for abuse of Power himself. The show likens Johnson to former President Trump as the 2024 election looms.
The real MVP of Manhunt is Menzies, who delivers a powerhouse performance. He not only fits the period setting, but he brings out the desperation in Seward. This was not just hurt by the loss of his friend. In Seward’s eyes, the nation has been irreparably harmed. As he begs for others to find the line of unacceptable behavior, you can see Menzies working through his frustrations in facial microexpressions. It’s a dominant performance that calls for Menzies to be physically weak but mentally acute. He holds the entire series together, and without his performance, Manhunt might have gone off the rails.
Boyle should become the breakout star of Manhunt. Known best for his roles on Broadway and the West End in Harry Potter in the Cursed Child, Boyle crafts a paranoid and anxiety-driven Booth. He crafts character ticks and line deliveries to slowly build up Booth’s narcissism. Yet it’s clear that this Booth only ended up here because he’s so desperate for fame. Boyle crafts a character that is both petulant and ego-manical. It’s nearly impossible to take your eyes off him throughout the limited series, and it should serve as an awards-worthy breakthrough for most audiences.
Other performers step into roles one might not have expected. Patton Oswalt takes on some unique dramatic work. While his modern alt-comedy often defines him, Oswalt fits into Manhunt like a glove. He’s both willing to break the rules and deliver a laugh line at the drop of a hat. Walsh is excellent in his bit scenes and helps provide a clear antagonist to Simone’s storyline. Simone gets a unique opportunity as the only primary actress of color in the series. Her role requires her to start mousy and timid before evolving into a woman with agency. It’s an excellent arc, and Simone develops it well, creating the most unique journey on the show.
Hamish Linklater will become a point of contention. His performance is not bad—if anything, it strays a little too close to Daniel Day-Lewis’ Oscar-winning turn. However, while including Lincoln in the first episode makes sense, the flashbacks he’s included in throughout the rest of the show are far less effective. Linklater gets a couple of moments of genuine gravitas, but unfortunately, he is often used as comic relief. This does not do the show any favors and sometimes makes it feel unbalanced.
Finally, the craft and skill of the series are impeccable. The costumes, production design, and cinematography are top-notch. They make the series look excellent and plant us firmly in the era. Additionally, the score from Bryce Dessner (of The National) feels timeless. While the editing during the first and final episodes is flawless, moments in the middle episodes feel drawn out. Visual effects also struggle through the show and mostly disappoint compared to the other crafts. Still, Manhunt features plenty of things to love, and the storytelling remains top-notch.
Conclusion
Manhunt succeeds where few other projects have, showcasing the large mechanisms at play that led to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. While it does not always successfully connect its threads, it provides plenty of exhilarating moments to make up for it. Rather than valorizing the hunt, Manhunt proves adept at showing the lengths the investigation went to deliver its results. With Menzies and Boyle each showcasing brilliant performances, Manhunt should have a long history ahead of it as a highly rewatchable dive into Civil War history.
Rating: 8/10
Manhunt premieres on Apple TV+ with two episodes on March 15th, 2024. New episodes will be released weekly until April 19th, 2024. All seven episodes were provided for review.
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