SUGAR -- A Trippy Neo-Noir Carried by Atmosphere and Colin Farrell's Performance

Review by Sean Boelman

Colin Farrell in "Sugar," premiering April 5, 2024 on Apple TV+.

Colin Farrell's season of neo-noir True Detective was widely considered the weakest of the anthology series, but Farrell still has the juice to play an incredible noir detective. This is evidenced in Apple TV+'s new show Sugar, which is certainly flawed but works incredibly well thanks to its star and direction.

Sugar follows a private investigator (Farrell) tasked with investigating the disappearance of a legendary Hollywood mogul's granddaughter; of course, nothing is as it seems. It's a very loose neo-noir, with as much influence from films like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as it has from classic cinema, but it's strangely alluring, nevertheless.

The biggest holdback of Sugar is that its mystery, frankly, isn't interesting. The protagonist is investigating this disappearance, but we aren't given much reason to care about the discovery (or lack thereof). The more exciting aspect is the journey the detective goes on along the way and the unexpected conspiracy that unfolds the deeper he digs.

Yet, even though the central mystery of Sugar goes nowhere, the show moves along at a steady pace. This is probably at least partially thanks to the series's short length. Apart from the 50-minute premiere, the episodes range from 30 to 40 minutes, making the whole thing clocking in at under 5 hours. This is rare for a dramatic series, but it's incredibly brisk as a result.

Amy Ryan and Colin Farrell in "Sugar," premiering April 5, 2024 on Apple TV+.

The other thing missing from Sugar is a cast of compelling supporting characters. The antagonistic characters are never really menacing, and the sidekicks are developed in a way that makes sense to the last two episodes but feels off in the moment. The supporting cast is strong, with talented performers like Amy Ryan, Kirby, James Cromwell, and Dennis Boutsikaris, but none feel fully utilized.

That being said, Farrell has such an incredible presence as the eponymous investigator that the show manages to be riveting nonetheless. This feels like a role that Farrell was born to play — a slightly snarky detective recalling the balance of suaveness and harshness in the early noir hero. His delivery is perfectly brooding without feeling aloof. It's an incredibly inspired casting choice.

The other hero of Sugar is director Fernando Meirelles (City of God), who directs most of the eight episodes. Beyond nailing the neo-noir aesthetic, the show has some intriguing flourishes, such as incorporating clips from classic noir films. This creates an interesting juxtaposition with the ostensibly modern story we're watching.

Sugar isn't without its flaws, but it's a very compelling neo-noir, especially considering how refreshingly short most of its episodes are. It's strange and trippy, but if you're willing to meet it on its bizarre wavelength, you'll be entertained and enthralled by the atmosphere and Colin Farrell's exceptional performance.

Sugar streams on Apple TV+ beginning April 5 with two episodes, with new episodes streaming on subsequent Fridays. All eight episodes reviewed.

Rating: 3.5/5