Critic Reviews

For drama fans (and crime drama fans in particular), The Sinner remains a very underrated anthology that always delivers a solid case with a great cast around it. It’s a good binge watch, but a worthy weekly exploration as well.

The Sinner quickly morphs into the least forthright crime drama, an opaque and intriguingly inverted tale in which crime and punishment are difficult to tell apart.

The Sinner is a procedural. But unlike most others that are obsessed with the “who,” this gets at the “why.” Talk about intriguing.

The exploration is carefully laid out so each twist is effectively teased, and it’s also made to be a good time, even when it gets dark. The cast of likable actors helps out on that front, and Letts, in particular, stands out early on as a good ol’ boy who’s almost too well-meaning to be trusted.

Season Two has only just begun its twists and turns. But so far, so good, with ample possibilities still in play while Harry’s head tries to stay in the game.

Simonds manages to craft a fresh and unusual story with which to fill in the parameters of the series’ framework.

These new episodes show how both the construction of the character and Pullman’s performance are a foundation worth building on again and again.

Ultimately, Season 4 understands exactly what changes needed to be made to continue the intrigue. If the theatrics of Season 3 turned you away, Season 4 will bring the mystery lovers of the first seasons back.

Add on a thin veneer of mysticism and you have a missing persons story that isn’t revolutionary, but one that throws off convention by just enough degrees to make it worth checking out. “The Sinner” was never just about the answers. Now, more than ever, the man asking the questions has become the show’s biggest draw.

The Sinner directs all of its artistic energy toward the viewer’s empathy, which is a tricky place to be. Deglamorized and grief-stricken, Biel is immediately convincing as both a victim, of sorts, and a possibly psychotic murderer. A viewer can’t help but wonder where it goes from here.