A meticulously-paced neo-noir straight from the pages of a pulp fiction paperback. I'll be picking up the Ross Thomas novel this is adapted from and I can't wait to watch this series again. Fantastic production-, costume-, and character-design, and pitch-perfect music score and soundtrack. Definitely going to test the patience of those who prefer more mainstream, fast-paced drama, but this limited series slows to a halt, lingering just like the 100-degree heat and sun of the Smalltown, Texas, it resides in. Do yourself a favor: Watch the trailer, and then treat yourself to one episode at a time. Really chew on it. Throwaway comments by this collected mix of characters could be important clues as you need to solve the mystery just like Rosario Dawson's sizzling, brooding Allegra Dill. Edi Gathegi, Jay R. Ferguson, Brian Geraghty, and Kim Dickens all give incredible supporting performances as well, and there's a few unexpected cameos, too. The chief villain, the elusive Clyde Brattle, is played to perfection by Alan Cumming, reuniting him with Josie and the Pussycats (2001) co-star, Rosario Dawson. As dark and gritty as the show is, there's also some fantastic moments of dark humor. Highly recommend for any fans of whodunnits and stories that force you to think as well as entertain.
45 Reviews
For fans of Justified, Terriers, and Grosse Pointe Blank
abbykern21 February 2021
Visually interesting with moments of beauty. Intricate plotting. Rosario Dawson looks amazing and plays a character drawn in a classic male archetype. She strides in her heels as firmly as Eastwood or Olyphant.
Tidily wrapped up although they left some room for more if someone has a great idea. Excellent cast including Stan from Mad Men doing a Texan Nathan Fillion and nailing it. You'll recognize almost everyone you see.
It doesn't reach the level of Justified at its best but it's in that vein. Nothing could top Terriers for character development and heart. But if you imagine that Cusack came back in town for revenge not just a reunion....you'll see the clear parallels. And add a dash of Lonestar while you're at it.
Well worth the watch for anyone who likes beautiful ass kicking women, dark humor, noir in the sunshine or tigers.
Tidily wrapped up although they left some room for more if someone has a great idea. Excellent cast including Stan from Mad Men doing a Texan Nathan Fillion and nailing it. You'll recognize almost everyone you see.
It doesn't reach the level of Justified at its best but it's in that vein. Nothing could top Terriers for character development and heart. But if you imagine that Cusack came back in town for revenge not just a reunion....you'll see the clear parallels. And add a dash of Lonestar while you're at it.
Well worth the watch for anyone who likes beautiful ass kicking women, dark humor, noir in the sunshine or tigers.
very good!
mathomas-280538 February 2020
Wow, great premise, bunch of weird small-town characters, stellar performance by Ms. Dawson of someone waaay too good for this bunch and this town. Corruption smolders. Rosario cruises through it like a knife through butter, at least at first. They're going to try to drag her down, I can see that after one episode. But, I can't wait to see where we go from here! It's completely got my attention. "Briarpatch," great title. Also, fantastic use of animals to make some subtle points. Highly recommended, at least so far.
Way better than any new releases.
howtrite8 February 2020
The bar is so low that this show clears it with little effort. It has a "feel" to it that is hard to describe. Any successful production keeps you interested enough that you aren't constantly picking out flaws and plot holes. It makes you unconscious of time and actually want to see more. Will it keep up the pace and not bow to corporate meddling? See, I want to watch more ... fingers crossed.
extremely uneven from episode to episode
mathomas-280533 March 2020
This show is so UNEVEN it is frustrating. Episodes 1 and 3 were great, episodes 2 and 4 were terrible and stupid. I see here they have different writers, and different directors, for nearly every episode. So, no wonder. The actors are the same, the sets are the same, the costumes are the same, but the writing, the dialog, the story, vastly different from episode to episode. So, prepare to wait a week between episodes and then be monumentally disappointed.
In a new genre all by itself
harharvar18 April 2020
I loved this show-something about it was just right. It's a noir with some lightness to it, not in comedy but in the atmosphere. The world it creates is a little hyper-real in way I didn't know I wanted, but found this one of the few shows I would faithfully look forward to the next episode each week. I read a lot of critics comparing this to other shows but I think they miss the way Briarpatch defines a new genre all for itself. Dawson is so airtight this seems like the role she was meant to play, and the Spivey character is complexly likeable-endearing and the definition of quirk but deserving of not escaping his past. I hope there are future seasons and more shows like it. Well done.
promising...
lifelinespublishing7 February 2020
After just 1 episode, this show looks promising and there are still a lot of stories that needs to be cleared, Rosario as usual is awesome in this show and let's see where this takes us.
A Mystery / Thriller in the works.
A Mystery / Thriller in the works.
What the?! Binge-watching has ruined weekly regular shows...
weareone11119 February 2020
Can we withhold reviews until the season has ran its course? I'm seeing 5-6 star reviews criticizing one episode; why not visit that episode specifically and rate it? We don't know how this show will unfold so there is nothing to conclude just yet. I like the show so far, it has mystery and good acting. Too soon to tell how I will rate it, but for now, it's a 10 to balance out the premature reviews toward the series as a whole.
A bit complicated but well made.
deloudelouvain27 May 2020
I just finished watching the entire first season, and by the looks of it I think it's just going to be one season. I can't see how they would make more seasons as it's a clear end. Briarpatch was interesting to watch, the cinematography and the acting were top notch. For that alone it's worth a watch. On the other side the story is a bit difficult to follow, the writing is clearly the weaker point of this series. I don't regret watching it as it was entertaining but do I need another season of this one? No, not really.
The Big Bore-owski
triplem333 April 2020
I have been hearing about this show for over a year as the creator has a podcast. I was looking forward to it. It has style...I will give the show that but there are NO likable characters and the plot is incoherent. The "hero" of the piece really does nothing. She just visits people and occasionally they just end up dead. I could care less about any of the characters other than the occasional zoo animal showing up. I have now watched 7 episodes and will continue to do so because I enjoy listening to Andy on his podcast but I am totally not engaged with the plot. The political plot is just uninteresting, incomprehensible and the characters are cliche..
Maybe they could have done this is 5/6 episodes with fewer characters and fewer static shots of inanimate objects. Trying to be "cool" doesn't always produce a great show. I read the novel over 20 years/maybe 30 years ago and remember it being a crisp read.
Andy...I can't see this being renewed.
Maybe they could have done this is 5/6 episodes with fewer characters and fewer static shots of inanimate objects. Trying to be "cool" doesn't always produce a great show. I read the novel over 20 years/maybe 30 years ago and remember it being a crisp read.
Andy...I can't see this being renewed.
Intriguing Rabbit hole
ciaranmcguigan116 January 2021
SLOOOOOOW Scenes & Sequencing with Too Much Silence
NilsZippo15 February 2020
Quirky it may be. Acting is fine, regardless of the obvious limited script work being put in. But this is often the result of not much real meat being given to the cast. And this adapted screenplay is reflective of this, as overall it is lacking all but the occasional witty humor Ross' original work is known for. Give me quality compressed adaptations of Leonard or McCarthy any day over this pointless drawn out for TV mini-series approach.
Not for Me
marymcfarland-018669 February 2020
Good start to a quirky crime series with solid performances
kimhansonri15 February 2020
Rosario Dawson knocks it out of the park here as a "senatorial investigator" who returns to her smalltown hometown to Find answers re her police officer sisters death. The town has a twin peaks in Texas vibe that is quirky and eerie with a dash of wry comedy. Dawson's character is as much a mystery as the murder and the cast of characters gives us one eccentric after another, in a good way. We have high hopes for this series and know it will take writing discipline to keep the plots from jumping the shark every week. So we are intrigued and will Stay tuned.
New Shows Get 6 Viewings - mostly.
catx9829 February 2020
This show plays out as though it thinks it's an Elmore Lenard.
It ain't!
But a small-case e for effort.
Although my wife liked it more than I did. She gave it 7/8. I gave equal attention to our living room clock.
In fairness we will give it 2 more chances.
Finally a noir with American edge
harharvar18 April 2020
As a huge fan of European Noir, I loved this show. It was noir in oppressive sunlight, cool even though the billboard registered heat. After reading others' reviews, I'm convinced all the less-than-7-Star ratings here so far are due to ADHD or a lack of patience. The shallowness of most American network TV has made us crave cheap, junk-food entertainment. This show is the opposite-complex, unfolding, and hard to figure-oozing style to spare.
really not bad
StephanieGBU7 August 2021
Not an emotional story. But it kept my attention throughout. Simple mystery, wrapped up neatly. Very decent acting by all. Was looking for something that wasn't all white people leads, and wasn't handing out a few token people of color, so it fit.
Based on the pilot
Broccolidwarf9 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This has the potential to be a hit.
In some respects, it reminds me of the excellent Banshee show, though it remains to be seen, if it is as violent..... but the uneasy feeling is there.
What drops the pilot in rating a bit, is a prolonged scene in the protagonists sisters apartment: After she has been discovered by the chief of police and given permission to search the place, she never turns on the lights, but keeps searching by a flashlight alone..... it irritated me immensely, because it made no sense ;)
Other than that, the story line is interesting (so far), Rosario Dawson a compelling protagonist "with an edge", and the supporting cast is very good indeed, as is filmography and score.
I will be watching closely to see, if the show fulfills the promise.
In some respects, it reminds me of the excellent Banshee show, though it remains to be seen, if it is as violent..... but the uneasy feeling is there.
What drops the pilot in rating a bit, is a prolonged scene in the protagonists sisters apartment: After she has been discovered by the chief of police and given permission to search the place, she never turns on the lights, but keeps searching by a flashlight alone..... it irritated me immensely, because it made no sense ;)
Other than that, the story line is interesting (so far), Rosario Dawson a compelling protagonist "with an edge", and the supporting cast is very good indeed, as is filmography and score.
I will be watching closely to see, if the show fulfills the promise.
has the form
SnoopyStyle13 December 2020
Allegra Dill (Rosario Dawson) returns to her home town of San Bonifacio, Texas after her policewoman sister Felicity gets killed in a car bombing. Animals have escaped from the zoo after a break-in. Allegra discovers some suspicious financial dealings and deep rooted corruption. Cyrus is a married Senator and her sex partner. A.D. Singe claims to be Felicity's friend and just happens to save her from another police car bombing. Eve Raytek is the chief of police. Jake Spivey is a rich peculiar local.
This is made by people who love the form of a crime noir without the skills to pull it off. Dawson has charisma to burn but she is stoic and flat here. She needs to punch someone to start the show or at least, she needs to reveal her inner explosiveness with a character scene. The pilot is a lot of sitting and talking with wacky visuals of exotic animals. It is trying to be visually inventive but ultimately, static. It does get progressively more interesting. The general atmosphere is intriguing. There are some memorable sections but the overall crime mystery is lost on me. It's canceled after a 10 episode season.
This is made by people who love the form of a crime noir without the skills to pull it off. Dawson has charisma to burn but she is stoic and flat here. She needs to punch someone to start the show or at least, she needs to reveal her inner explosiveness with a character scene. The pilot is a lot of sitting and talking with wacky visuals of exotic animals. It is trying to be visually inventive but ultimately, static. It does get progressively more interesting. The general atmosphere is intriguing. There are some memorable sections but the overall crime mystery is lost on me. It's canceled after a 10 episode season.
Boring, killed it half the way through, twice.
PeteB1239 February 2020
Are you kidding? A couple of us tried to get through this show and shut it off halfway through. Way too much dialogue without going anywhere. Then we tried it again, and the same thing. Hey Hollywood, or wherever you came from, try coming out of the gate hot, at least for the first episode. Then you can let us down later. I don't even know why I gave it a 5. Spoilers? There's nothing to spoil.
It's good, I don't understand the hate
Evil_Ernie13 April 2020
I've binged 8 episodes in 2 days, I very much enjoy this show. Rosario Dawson does a great job, very convincing as a cold but rootable lady out to find the truth about her sisters murder. Lots of likable characters, good plot, aesthetically pleasing, well paced show. Like the heading says, not sure why this is getting a low score on reviews.
Give it a chance, its worth it!
Took me five times to get through the first episode
Kay_movie_lover7 March 2020
A rating of 3 is being generous. I feel sorry for Rosario Dawson who I consider to be a good actress. I did get to watch her walk and walk and walk. Also it was almost impossible at that point to keep track of who was who, and I don't consider myself an idiot.
My gosh, even when she's going to see <the rich guy--is that a spoiler; I don't think so), we get to watch her walk and walk and walk again.
I did wade through the second episode because I hoped the first episode that presented the storyline and the characters was a little rough. Nope, so bad. That's it for me. I'm gone.
Frankly if you have the patience to watch this, you can watch anything.
My gosh, even when she's going to see <the rich guy--is that a spoiler; I don't think so), we get to watch her walk and walk and walk again.
I did wade through the second episode because I hoped the first episode that presented the storyline and the characters was a little rough. Nope, so bad. That's it for me. I'm gone.
Frankly if you have the patience to watch this, you can watch anything.
An extremely well crafted film noir.
jrwilett19 July 2021
This is a very well crafted film noir, loaded with intelligent, character driven dialogue. Rosario Dawson is perfect in it. It has a slow burn style with twists and turns that all fit together like well crafted puzzle pieces. A clever, classy mix of mystery, thriller, and cold dark intrigue with a wink or two. Highly recommended.
I can see a series forming and I like what I see
Stevinsemail12 February 2020
While a few of the shots feel a little too stylistic, the style is impeccable and apparent. I am a fan from the trailers and seeing how that energy translated to the formed series, it's really well done and I'm excited to be on this journey with 'Pick Dill' which almost seems as ridiculous as it is conscious of its ridiculousness and plays off of it. It plays the troupes well and keeps the viewer on their toes so try to suppress the urge to look at your phone cus a clue feels like it can come from any corner or exchange. Im excited to see the bigger picture and flush out the backstory from some of the side mentions.
Pity
Ladiloque21 April 2020
The list of recent series written by smart people that think they can get away with anything is getting longer and longer.
Briarpatch is unfortunately part of it.
It starts pulp, quirky, surreal, original, grotesque... Have I ever seen a cocktail like this? I don't think so... but by the 5-6th episode it ends up being mechanical, weak, melodramatic and cliched. Too many explanations for plotlines that make no sense; too many dialogues when we should have bullets, runs, blackmail or anything surprising; too much rage for people so cool and powerful. Finally: too much theater and tears for people we should imagine having seen it all.
Not the worst, but definetely not worthy of your time. Direction, acting, photography, editing and post-production are quite good, but when the plot starts to unfold, everthing falls apart; just like a comic that ends up being too bland compared to the others: it had style but no substance.. and not enough style to make its substance out of it.
Missed occasion.
It starts pulp, quirky, surreal, original, grotesque... Have I ever seen a cocktail like this? I don't think so... but by the 5-6th episode it ends up being mechanical, weak, melodramatic and cliched. Too many explanations for plotlines that make no sense; too many dialogues when we should have bullets, runs, blackmail or anything surprising; too much rage for people so cool and powerful. Finally: too much theater and tears for people we should imagine having seen it all.
Not the worst, but definetely not worthy of your time. Direction, acting, photography, editing and post-production are quite good, but when the plot starts to unfold, everthing falls apart; just like a comic that ends up being too bland compared to the others: it had style but no substance.. and not enough style to make its substance out of it.
Missed occasion.
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