Ridley Scott is a visionary director known for his striking and meticulously crafted films across numerous genres. While he’s widely recognized for sci-fi spectacles like Alien and Blade Runner, and historical epics like Gladiator, he’s had a notable action-packed dip into cinematic crime. Scott’s crime dramas often focus on tense power struggles, moral dilemmas, and the high-stakes world of illegal enterprises. His 2007 film American Gangster was nominated for two Oscars for its gripping biographical drama of Frank Lucas, starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.
The award-winning director also helmed The Counselor, a neo-noir crime thriller written by Cormac McCarthy, which explored the consequences of greed in the Mexican drug trade. Black Rain brought Scott’s stylish visuals to a Yakuza crime story set in Japan, while Body of Lies followed high-octane espionage in the Middle East with a tense, politically charged thriller. Across these stories, Ridley Scott’s movies have stood out for their slick cinematography, complex characters, and unflinching portrayal of crime’s brutal realities.
Dope Thief Boasts A Solid Rotten Tomatoes Score Ahead Of Its Debut
Early Reviews Praise Ridley Scott’s Newest Crime Drama
The Scott-produced crime thriller Dope Thief has debuted with an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score ahead of its official release. Starring Academy Award nominee Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta) and Wagner Moura (Narcos), the eight-episode miniseries follows two Philadelphia conmen who pose as DEA agents to rob drug dealers. Their small-time grift takes a deadly turn when they unknowingly target a major cartel operation, launching them into a desperate fight for survival. Dope Thief is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on March 15.
With 14 reviews and counting, the premiere season of Dope Thief has secured a hefty 86% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, signaling strong early buzz for the series. The score may fluctuate as more reviews are added. Based on Dennis Tafoya’s 2009 novel of the same name, the gritty crime drama falls under the action-packed vision of screenwriter Peter Craig (The Batman, Top Gun: Maverick). The cast of Dope Thief also features Marin Ireland, Kate Mulgrew, Nesta Cooper, Amir Arison, and Golden Globe winner Ving Rhames.
What This Means For Dope Thief
A Promising Start For Apple TV+’s Gritty New Drama
Early reviews have praised the performances of Henry and Moura, with their natural rapport driving much of the crime drama’s appeal. In a review for Dope Thief, ScreenRant‘s Nadir Samara wrote, “From the opening moment when they reveal the hustle to the earth-shattering end of season one, these two actors bring their A-game,” giving the series a score of 6 out of 10. Samara also pointed out that the show’s comedic flourishes may owe much to Henry’s production credit, who was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2016 for his leading role in the highly acclaimed FX comedy-drama Atlanta.
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However, Dope Thief is not without its faults, particularly in the execution of its writing. “Craig was not so lucky,” Samara noted, referring to showrunner Peter Craig’s inability to fully establish a strong tonal blueprint, despite his successful work on films like Ben Affleck’s award-nominated The Town. Nonetheless, Henry and Moura’s performance as Ray and Manny, longtime friends locked in this intense cat-and-mouse game, appears to be just enough of a reason to tune in.
Our Take On Dope Thief’s Early Reviews
Henry And Moura Carry The Thrills
Dope Thief has all the makings of a standout crime thriller with strong lead performances, and an experienced creative team under Scott’s direction. The chemistry between Henry and Moura is undeniable, which is of no surprise considering their outstanding lead performances in Atlanta and Narcos respectively. However, the lack of a clear theme in the storyline seems to hinder its durability in the crime drama genre, but as an intense and entertaining ride, Dope Thief appears to be well worth the watch.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes
Dope Thief
6/10
- Release Date
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March 13, 2025
- Network
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Apple TV+