Go in knowing nothing. In fact, stop reading this and start watching. Sugar might not be perfect—I have quibbles—but I don’t think you’ll regret watching it. (I didn’t).

For those who need a tad more convincing, I’ll say this much: John Sugar, played by Colin Farrell, is a PI who finds missing people. He’s cut from the same cloth as Spade and Marlowe, almost to the point of cliche. (This is deliberate, but I’ll say no more). Sugar is approached by legendary producer Jonathan Siegel (James Cromwell does more with an eyebrow than most actors do with their voice) to find his missing granddaughter Olivia (Sydney Siegel). But, in the grand tradition of film noir, there’s much, much more going on: plots within plots, conspiracies within conspiracies.

Appetite whetted? Need a bit more?

Ok then. If you’re a fan of film noir (I have a passing interest, but I’m not a nuffy) then you’ll love the shows aesthetics, including intercutting scenes from a variety of noir classics—much like Bertolucci does with The Dreamers. It’s very effective, especially during dramatic moments. The acting is also top-class. Farrell, Cromwell, Amy Ryan, Anna Gunn, Kirby, and Dennis Boutsikaris all lean heavily into the show’s noirish tropes. Sugar is worth watching for the acting alone.

I did have issues. But they are plot-related. It wasn’t [redacted] which I fucking loved… but an issue with one of the reveals in the final episode. There’s a clumsiness to the moment in question that’s at odds with the intelligent plotting that precedes it. 

But I’m all in for Sugar Season Two if Apple green-lights it.