Apple TV+had a hit formula when it paired Dennis Lehane withTaron EgertonforBlack Bird.The miniseries, stitched with moral complexity and standout acting, earned rave reviews. Given this, when Lehane and Egerton reunited forSmoke, expectations were sky-high. Launched on June 13, 2025,Smokekicks off as a fire-centered crime thriller with intrigue, secrets, and a talented cast. The series has earned a respectable 73% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer. Yet, this modest rating is a signal that the series should have been, and could have been, so much better.
At its core,Smokefollows a reluctant pairing between arson investigator Dave Gudsen (Egerton) and Detective Michelle Calderon (Junee Smollett), as they race to stop two serial arsonists. The show boasts strong visuals, an eerie Thom Yorke theme song, and a cast that delivers. Yet, reviewers flag problems with its sluggish pacing, clichéd twists, and a plot that veers off in too many directions.To audiences who loved the taut precision ofBlack Bird, Smokecomes off as a spark that fizzles.
Lehane Seems To Have Lost Focus With ‘Smoke’
Dennis Lehane proved his TV magic withBlack Bird,a lean six-episode thriller lauded for its moral complexity and an intriguing quality that kept viewers riveted. From its very first episode, the series was able to command every scene and beat. However,Smoke, with its nine-episode run, lacks that same crisp control. According to critics,the series stumblesunder sluggish pacing and diluted tension.
WhereBlack Birdwas surgically precise,Smokefeels drawn out. Its premise, which is based on two arsonists terrorizing a small town, could have been a high-stakes, excitement-filled ride. Instead, the show meanders with detours into melodrama and repetitive tropes.One frustrated viewer said:
“…The adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s book is a disaster, with a storyline that is convoluted and nonsensical. The plot drags on with no real direction, leaving you feeling frustrated and confused. The pacing is abysmal, making it feel like an endless slog…”
It is clear that Lehane aimed for psychological density and a moody atmosphere. However, without the tight storytelling that madeBlack Birda must-watch,Smokeoften feels unfocused and becomes a case of ambition overtaking execution.Each episode released thus far smolders but is rarely able to build to the wildfire impact that audiences have come to expect from Lehane’s finest work.
The Talented Cast Is Let Down by the Plot in ‘Smoke’
Smokebrings star power. Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett are magnetic, and supporting players like Greg Kinnear and Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine bring gravitas to the ensemble. Thom Yorke’s haunting theme sets the mood, marking yet another high-end addition to the Apple TV+ crime lineup. With its talented cast, the series was bound to shine.
Yet,the plot undermines their efforts. The series seems to be weighed down by clichés, overused procedures, forced character tropes, and melodramatic voiceovers.Audiences know the twist too soon, given the revelation of Dave as an arsonist early on, to satisfy modern binge habits. The reveal could have deepened the story, butSmokekeeps dragging its feet instead of leaning into the moral fallout.
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Despite the series having all the elements it needs to be a thrilling watch, given the fact that there are two arsonists to hunt and the troubled backgrounds of the leading characters,Smokeis unable to achieve its true potential. The talent is there, but the story keeps setting off alarms and quickly fading. AsDeciderputs it:
“Something about Smoke feels… off. It’s very cinematic and there are lots of dreamy sequences and contemplative stares into middle distance. But as far as its story is concerned, it moves extraordinarily slowly, almost painfully so.”
‘Smoke’ Attempts Prestige But Is Not Able To Pull It Off
Apple TV+ has carved out a niche for prestige crime dramas, offering visually rich, moody stories with complex characters and haunting themes.Smokeclearly wants to be part of that club. From its brooding cinematography to its ambient score, the series is dressed to impress. Every frame is dimly lit, and every exchange is soaked in slow-burning tension. Yet, while it looks like a prestige thriller, it rarely feels like one.
InBlack Bird,the tone served thestory’s claustrophobic morality.InSmoke,it often serves as a distraction, demonstrating that atmosphere is only effective when it supports narrative depth. The series attempts to evoke a sense of foreboding, but with thinly developed characters and jumbled motivations, the gloom feels contrived. Instead of drawing viewers into the characters' psyches, the show wraps itself in stylistic flourishes that do not earn their weight.
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This leads to one ofSmoke’s biggest issues. The series feels more like a copy of better shows than a confident vision of its own. The slow pans, the long silences, and cryptic dialogue are all tools used by prestige dramas. Yet, when employed without narrative precision, they come off as hollow mimicry, resulting in a show that is attempting to be deep but feels shallow.
Smokehas every element it needed to become Apple TV+’s next breakout crime drama, including unsparing creators, a stellar cast, an atmospheric tone, and a high-concept premise. However, the sparks have not been able to morph into an inferno. The two episodes of the series that have been released thus far stumble over pacing, predictable twists, and an unfocused script that feels twice as long as it needs to be. Yet it is not too late.With seven episodes still ahead,Smokecan regain momentum. Leaning into its strengths, sharpening its plotting, and embracing the shock value of its early twist could still transformSmokeinto a must-watch redemption story.Smokeis now available onApple TV+.
