GamesRadar+ VerdictA stylish, glossy series that gets off to a slow start, but holds promise for the season ahead.
GamesRadar+ Verdict
GamesRadar+ Verdict
A stylish, glossy series that gets off to a slow start, but holds promise for the season ahead.
A stylish, glossy series that gets off to a slow start, but holds promise for the season ahead.
Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy.
Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy.
There’s no more stalwart a figure than the TV detective, and Apple’s latest offering, Sugar, aims to introduce another eccentric private investigator to the storied ranks of (neo-)noir sleuths.
Colin Farrell stars as the titular John Sugar, a polite PI with an aversion to hurting people (but who will hurt them with brutal efficiency nonetheless), a love for movies (and a tendency to reference them), and a mysterious past (naturally). He’s on the case of the missing granddaughter of a famous Hollywood producer – only what he uncovers is a dangerous web larger than just one person.
Now, I should note that, for the purposes of this review, I’ve only viewed two out of eight episodes. That means this will all be spoiler-free, as I myself have no idea of the twists and turns that – inevitably – lie ahead.
California dreaming
(Image credit: Apple)
From the outset, Sugar looks stylish, beginning with a Tokyo-set black and white sequence which smoothly transitions into full color and, eventually, transports us to the bright skies of Los Angeles. Everything from the laconic narration, smooth jazz score, and neon-lit city streets oozes classic noir vibes. But, while this all establishes certain genre expectations, Sugar himself is an unconventional private eye.
He goes out of his way to be kind to people, sidestepping the cynicism you might expect from a neo-noir, and, as a self-described movie addict, he’s a surprisingly earnest film buff. Sugar seems deeply invested in helping people, rather than just trying to make a quick buck off the vulnerable. It’s a refreshing twist on the archetype.
Farrell is very charming as Sugar, though, in the first two episodes of the show, he’s not given much to work with beyond the polite exterior and some flashes of violence. Still, what we see of him across the opening begins to build a compelling portrait of a complicated man – whether this proves true is something we’ll discover across the show’s remaining six episodes. Sometimes his oddness works, and other times, it feels overdone; his unexplained health condition is also a point of intrigue, though it’s left frustratingly vague.
Hidden secrets
(Image credit: Apple)
Ultimately, these opening two episodes of Sugar, which are arriving together on Apple TV Plus, lay enough groundwork that you’ll be interested in what comes next, though there’s no major, attention-grabbing hook. Instead, Sugar is shaping up to be more of a simmering pot than one about to boil over.
Sugar arrives with a double premiere this April 5, with the remaining season to follow weekly. You can fill out your watchlist with our guide to thebest shows on Apple TV Plusor our roundup of the most excitingnew TV showsthat are coming soon.
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More about sugarApple TV’s neo-noir detective series starring Colin Farrell has been renewed for a second seasonColin Farrell says that wild Sugar reveal was originally supposed to happen in the first episodeLatest"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history": Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetSee more latest►
More about sugarApple TV’s neo-noir detective series starring Colin Farrell has been renewed for a second seasonColin Farrell says that wild Sugar reveal was originally supposed to happen in the first episodeLatest"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history": Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetSee more latest►
More about sugarApple TV’s neo-noir detective series starring Colin Farrell has been renewed for a second seasonColin Farrell says that wild Sugar reveal was originally supposed to happen in the first episode
More about sugar
Apple TV’s neo-noir detective series starring Colin Farrell has been renewed for a second seasonColin Farrell says that wild Sugar reveal was originally supposed to happen in the first episode
Apple TV’s neo-noir detective series starring Colin Farrell has been renewed for a second season
Apple TV’s neo-noir detective series starring Colin Farrell has been renewed for a second season
Colin Farrell says that wild Sugar reveal was originally supposed to happen in the first episode
Colin Farrell says that wild Sugar reveal was originally supposed to happen in the first episode
Latest"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history": Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetSee more latest►
Latest
“Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet
“Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet
“Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet
See more latest►
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Most Popular
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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up”
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”
Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became”
Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”
Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids”
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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4
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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1
Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”