Every Alex Cross Film & TV Show Ranked-Worst Best

James Patterson’s Alex Cross is one of the most iconic fictional detectives brought to the big and small screen. Cross is a brilliant psychologist and FBI profiler with a sharp mind and investigative nature to match. Since his literary debut in Patterson’s 1993 novel, Along Came a Spider, Cross has captivated readers with his intellect, resilience, and deep sense of justice. With over two dozen books in the series, it was only a matter of time before Hollywood took notice.

From the late ‘90s to today, Alex Cross has been brought to life in multiple film and television adaptations, with some delivering thrilling crime stories, and others failing to do the character justice. The legendary Morgan Freeman first embodied the role in Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider, bringing intellect and defiant action to the character. The 2012 reboot Alex Cross, starring Tyler Perry, was a major misfire, disappointing both critics and fans. Now, the 2024 Amazon Prime series Cross, starring Aldis Hodge, seeks to revitalize the franchise. But which film or TV adaptation truly captures the essence of Alex Cross?

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Alex Cross (2012)

The Film Was A Critical & Box Office Flop

The 2012 film Alex Cross is widely regarded as the worst adaptation of James Patterson’s iconic detective. Despite the character’s literary success and previous on-screen portrayal by Morgan Freeman, this reboot failed to capture the same energy.

It reduced Cross to a generic action hero rather than the methodical detective fans expected.

One of the biggest issues was miscasting. Tyler Perry, best known for his comedic Madea roles, wasn’t the right choice for the brooding detective. Although Perry is certainly a talented actor and writer, his performance lacked the intensity needed for such a complex protagonist. Additionally, the film’s writing was bland as it reduced Cross to a generic action hero rather than the methodical detective fans expected.

Matthew Fox’s portrayal of the villain, Picasso, was one of the film’s few bright spots, but even his committed performance was wasted on a weak script filled with clichés, forced drama, and poor dialogue. The film ultimately felt like a generic, low-budget thriller rather than a compelling crime drama.

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Kiss the Girls (1997)

A Passable Thriller But Lacks Depth

Kiss the Girls is a decent but flawed adaptation of Alex Cross’ adventures. The film offers a solid thriller experience but fails to fully capture the complexity of Alex Cross as a character. While Morgan Freeman’s portrayal of Cross is strong, as he brings intelligence, gravitas, and quiet intensity, his version of the character lacks some of the emotional nuances that define him in the books. The film’s mystery is engaging, with a disturbing premise involving a serial kidnapper known as Casanova, but the pacing drags at times, and some plot elements feel predictable.

The supporting cast, including Ashley Judd as a kidnapping survivor, delivers excellent performances, but exciting character development takes a backseat to standard crime-thriller clichés. While the film succeeds in creating suspense and tension, it lacks the intricate detective work and psychological depth that make Alex Cross stand out. The adaptation simplifies key aspects of the story, likely to get general audiences familiar with the character, making it more of a conventional crime thriller than a faithful representation of Cross’ analytical brilliance.

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Along Came a Spider (2001)

Easily The Best Alex Cross Film Adaptation

Along Came a Spider stands out as one of the best Alex Cross adaptations, delivering a psychological thriller with a convincing performance by Morgan Freeman. Unlike its predecessor, this film leans more into the intricate detective work and mind games that define James Patterson’s work, making for a more suspenseful experience.

Freeman does a great job embodying Cross’ keen analytical mind and emotional depth. The story revolves around the kidnapping of a senator’s daughter by the cunning and enigmatic Gary “The Spider” Soneji, and manages to keep audiences on their toes with its twists and psychological tension. What makes Along Came a Spider so good is that it maintains the core elements that make Cross such a fascinating character. The exchanges between detective and criminal are tense and well-executed, and the atmosphere is dark yet captivating.

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Cross (2024)

Prime Delivers The Best Alex Cross Adaptation To Date

Aldis Hodge is easily the best Alex Cross, and in a series, the character can be properly developed across multiple episodes.

The Amazon Prime Video series Cross is also the best Cross adaptation to date, offering a fresh and compelling take on James Patterson’s iconic detective. Unlike previous film adaptations, which often reduced Cross to a generic crime-solver, this series gives the character the depth and complexity he deserves.

Aldis Hodge delivers a standout performance as Alex Cross, as he brings both the character’s brilliant analytical mind and the emotional weight to life in great detail. The show delves into Cross’ past, particularly the trauma of his wife’s murder, making his journey feel personal. Cross also explores important themes, including Black masculinity and the challenges of being a Black officer in law enforcement, adding layers to the storytelling. With strong writing, compelling performances, and a more faithful portrayal of Alex Cross’s intelligence and humanity, Cross stands as the most well-rounded and engaging adaptation of the beloved detective’s story.

The Canceled Alex Cross Movie Explained

A canceled Alex Cross movie that generated significant buzz was Double Cross, an adaptation of the 13th book in James Patterson’s series. The film was intended to be a follow-up to the 2012 film Alex Cross, starring Tyler Perry. After the lukewarm reception of the reboot, plans for a sequel were scrapped, leaving this project in development limbo.

The film was set to follow Alex Cross as he hunts two sadistic killers known as “DCAK,” a duo targeting high-profile individuals in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, Cross himself becomes a target, forcing him into a dangerous mission that could have made for an intense psychological thriller.

The Future Of Alex Cross In Film & TV

With the success of the 2024 Cross TV series on Amazon Prime, the future of Alex Cross on-screen looks more promising than ever. The show has been praised for its deep character exploration and fresh approach to James Patterson’s beloved detective. Even before the premiere of its first season, Cross was renewed for season 2. If the series continues to perform well, multiple seasons could follow, adapting more of Cross’s extensive book series and expanding his world in ways films never could.

As for films, Hollywood may eventually take another shot at a big-screen Alex Cross adaptation. The failure of Alex Cross put the franchise in limbo, but with the rise of prestige crime thrillers, there’s potential for a darker, more engaging film adaptation. A potential reboot could take inspiration from great crime films and embrace a gritty, psychological approach that highlights Cross’s intelligence and emotional depth.