Jul 25, 2024, Posted by: Ra'eesa Moosa
Presumed Innocent Finale: A Shocking Revelation
The culmination of Apple TV+ series 'Presumed Innocent' has left fans and critics buzzing. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Rusty Sabich, the series concludes with Rusty being acquitted of the murder of his mistress, Carolyn Polhemus. The real shocker, however, comes when it is revealed that the actual killer is none other than Rusty's daughter, Jaden, played by Ase Infi. This twist dramatically deviates from both the original 1990 film adaptation and Scott Turow’s novel, in which the storyline takes different turns.
The Plot Unfolded
The series unravels the tale of Rusty, a prosecutor accused of murdering his colleague and lover, Carolyn. Throughout the episodes, viewers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of suspense, intrigue, and emotional turmoil. The character of Rusty is masterfully portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal, whose performance anchors the show with gravitas and intensity. The revelation that his daughter, Jaden, is the actual murderer blindsides the audience, setting this adaptation apart from its predecessors. This decision adds a new layer of complexity to an otherwise familiar narrative.
As the series draws to a close, Rusty's confrontation with Barbara, his wife, portrayed by Ruth Negga, is pivotal. In this climactic moment, Rusty reveals he had known all along that Barbara was innocent and had manipulated evidence to protect her. This revelation reinforces the show's focus on family, loyalty, and the lengths one might go to for loved ones. However, this twist also serves to lay bare systemic flaws within the narrative, which have drawn critique.
Critique of the Series Flaws
While the twist ending is undoubtedly gripping, 'Presumed Innocent' has faced criticism for its failure to address underlying issues, particularly sexism. Critics argue that the series replicates mistakes from the 1990 film and original novel by not adequately addressing these themes. Instead, the show skirts around them, leaving a critical gap in its commentary.
Furthermore, the handling of Carolyn’s murder as merely an obstacle for the Sabich family to overcome has been received with disappointment. Reducing a brutal crime to a mere plot point for character development underlines a lack of depth in the narrative’s approach to gender and violence. This oversight is even more glaring given the rich source material's potential to explore these themes more thoughtfully.
Performance of the Star-Studded Cast
Despite the narrative weaknesses, the stellar performances of the cast have been universally commended. Jake Gyllenhaal brings a nuanced portrayal of Rusty, balancing vulnerability and intensity. Ruth Negga’s depiction of Barbara adds emotional depth and complexity to her character, making the pivotal moments even more impactful. Peter Sarsgaard as Assistant Prosecutor Tommy Molto and O-T Fagbenle as detective Raymond Horgan also deliver commendable performances, their portrayals adding layers to the courtroom and investigative drama.
Ase Infi’s performance as Jaden, the unsuspected murderer, is particularly noteworthy. The young actress brings a chilling yet sympathetic presence to the screen, capturing the audience’s attention in the season’s final episodes. Her portrayal adds a new dynamic to the central theme of family and loyalty, making the narrative twist all the more impactful.
Looking Beyond the Finale
As the series wraps up, fans are left in a mixed state of awe and contemplation. The shocking twist has stirred buzz, but the conventional and, to some, disappointing resolution leaves a bittersweet aftertaste. The transition of the Sabich family into a semblance of normalcy, notwithstanding the traumatic events, poses thought-provoking questions about justice, loyalty, and morality. However, it also glosses over the needed discourse around gender and crime.
The series, despite its flaws, has managed to bring attention to the courtroom drama genre on streaming platforms. The high-profile cast and the blend of legal intrigue with family drama make it a must-watch for fans. However, future adaptations or similar series might need to delve deeper into underlying societal issues to offer a more balanced and robust narrative.
In conclusion (avoiding repetitive use of 'in conclusion'), 'Presumed Innocent' enchants with its twists and star-studded performances but misses the mark in addressing deeper societal issues. Its narrative shortcomings should serve as a lesson for future crime dramas, emphasizing the need for thoughtful engagement with themes of gender and violence.
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Comments
Dennis Lohmann
I just cried watching Jaden’s final scene. 😭 That girl carried the whole twist like it was nothing. Jake Gyllenhaal was great, but Ase Infi? She stole the show without even trying. This show needed more of her.
July 26, 2024 AT 04:57
sheri macbeth
Jaden didn’t do it. The real killer is the showrunner. They got paid to make a twist and forgot to write a story. I bet the network told them ‘make it shocking’ and they just threw a child at the wall and called it art. 🤡
July 26, 2024 AT 05:30
Lane Herron
The narrative architecture here is fundamentally incoherent. The daughter-as-killer trope isn’t just a cliché-it’s a semiotic collapse of the patriarchal guilt complex the source material was built upon. By offloading agency onto a minor character, the show performs a discursive erasure of systemic misogyny rather than interrogating it. This isn’t a twist-it’s a cop-out dressed in HBO-grade lighting. 🎭
July 26, 2024 AT 13:05
Henry Cohen
ok but jaden was always weird like in ep 3 when she stared at the coffee mug for 45 seconds like a serial killer in training and no one noticed?? also rustys wife was sus the whole time like why was she always in the kitchen holding a knife?? also why did the lawyer not ask about the dna on the murder weapon?? this show is a mess but i still binged it
July 27, 2024 AT 10:23
Mark Langdon
I get why people are mad about the sexism, but let’s not ignore how human Jaden’s portrayal was. She wasn’t just a plot device-she was a kid drowning in silence, raised by a family that treated trauma like a secret to be buried. The show failed the system, but not her. That’s the tragedy.
July 28, 2024 AT 04:48
Ciara Russell-Baker
i think the real killer was the writers room. like how did they think this was a good idea?? jaden?? come onnn. also rusty knew?? so he just let his daughter go to jail?? or wait no she never went to jail?? this makes no sense
July 28, 2024 AT 19:33
Aaron Samarita
The twist was lazy. The entire season was a series of set pieces designed to showcase Gyllenhaal’s face in close-up. The daughter reveal? A narrative cheat code. The show didn’t earn this. It didn’t even try. The performances were good, sure. But the writing? A PowerPoint deck titled 'How to Make a Crime Drama in 5 Minutes'.
July 28, 2024 AT 21:39
Daisy Pimentel
We live in a world where a child commits murder and the show treats it like a family bonding moment. Where is the accountability? Where is the justice? This isn’t drama-it’s moral decay wrapped in prestige television. They turned a brutal crime into a soap opera about daddy issues. And we applauded? We’re not just watching bad TV-we’re complicit.
July 29, 2024 AT 00:03
Ellen Ross
Honestly? The only thing more disturbing than Jaden killing Carolyn was how the show made Rusty’s complicity seem romantic. Like, oh he protected his family-how sweet. No. He destroyed the truth. He weaponized grief. And now we’re supposed to admire him? This isn’t storytelling-it’s gaslighting with a cinematographer. And don’t even get me started on how they handled Carolyn’s body like it was just a prop. 🤮
Author
Ra'eesa Moosa
I am a journalist with a keen interest in covering the intricate details of daily events across Africa. My work focuses on delivering accurate and insightful news reports. Each day, I strive to bring light to the stories that shape our continent's narrative. My passion for digging deeper into issues helps in crafting stories that not only inform but also provoke thought.