One of Jake Gyllenhaal’s Most Unforgettable Performances Is in This Apple TV Thriller

Jake Gyllenhaal has proven time and time again that he is one of the most talented actors in Hollywood today. After landing roles like October sky And Donnie DarkoGyllenhaal earned an Oscar nomination for his impressive performance in the 2005 film. Brokeback Mountain. He continued to produce versatile projects like Jarhead And Zodiacbut it’s his recent role in a dark and twisted thriller on Apple TV which you will have to watch to truly enjoy the full extent of his talent.

What is Apple TV’s “presumed innocent” about?

In 1987, Scott Turrow published a book entitled Presumed innocent. It became a bestseller and was first adapted for a Harrison Ford film in 1990. Last year it was given new life when it premiered on Apple TV for an 8-episode season. The series follows Rusty Sabich (Gyllenhaal), a dedicated prosecutor who, at first glance, appears to have a perfect career and family life. He is married to Barbara (Ruth Negga), and has two loving teenage children, Kyle (Kingston Rumi Southwick) and Jaden (Chase Infiniti). But Rusty’s world is turned upside down when his co-worker, Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsvé), is found brutally murdered in her home. Seeing a co-worker die in such a gruesome way would be surprising enough for Rusty, but it turns out that Rusty was having an affair with Carolyn, and he quickly becomes the police’s number one suspect in her death.

Presumed innocent unfolds as a wild, suspenseful ride as we follow Rusty’s story. He’s adamant that he didn’t kill Carolyn, but he has plenty of reasons to, and the more we get to know Rusty, the more believable it becomes that he could fly away in a moment of rage. Should we believe him when he says he had nothing to do with her death and is completely innocent? Or should we trust the many signs that Rusty may be a pretty loose cannon?

Every piece of information given to the viewer helps us try to discover who really killed Carolyn, while also wondering if Rusty will be able to save himself from a long prison sentence. Either way, the perfect image Rusty had built for his career and home life was now shattered forever. Rusty will no longer be seen as an honest member of the legal world or a family man. This destruction of his facade is perhaps the most upsetting for Rusty.but it’s a clear message to the viewer: don’t be afraid to question everything you see.

Apple TV’s ‘Presumed Innocent’ Is One of the Most Twisted Legal Thrillers Out There

There are plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing about the mystery surrounding Carolyn’s death. But the use of flashbacks in inventive ways also makes the storytelling far more interesting than that of other traditional legal thrillers. With these time jumps, we can see the intimate relationship between Carolyn and Rusty that happened in the past. This helps create an underlying sexual tension to the narrative that makes everything more compelling.

There are also tons of twists and turns in the story, especially when Rusty’s former colleague, Tommy Molto (Peter Sarsgaard), is determined to arrest Rusty for this crime. Rusty has a dedicated lawyer, Raymond Horgan (Bill Camp), and of course, his own legal expertise, but will that be enough to save Rusty? All of the action has very high stakes, which creates a much heightened sense of dread. One thing we know for sure: each episode will have you on the edge of your seat, never knowing who to trust. A Collider review agreed, noting that Presumed innocent offers a “nuanced approach to justice, lust, power, ethics and pride” [that] makes it one of the most remarkable shows on television. »

Jake Gyllenhaal Delivers Incredible Performance in ‘Presumed Innocent’

Image via Apple TV+

Every scene of Presumed innocent is complex and completely convincing. Whether you’re speeding toward the next episode because of a shocking cliffhanger or savoring all the action as you spread out your viewing experience, the intense tone of the series makes it an exciting watch either way. The show, created by David E. Kelleysings with electric energy in every frame, and much of that is due to Gyllenhaal’s immense talent. As Rusty, he perfects the manic, frenzied anxiety that accompanies his out-of-control life.and Gyllenhaal makes it imperative that Rusty is someone who is always seething with despair. It would be easy to view Rusty as an unsympathetic character (since he cheated on his wife and is possibly guilty of murder), but somehow Gyllenhaal is still able to make us see Rusty as the protagonist. You might cringe at some of Rusty’s choices throughout the series, but you’ll always be locked into Gyllenhaal’s performance no matter what.

But Gyllenhaal is not the only one contributing to the transformation Presumed innocent in a binge-worthy spectacle. Negga is also notable as the wronged wife. Your heart will ache for Barbara’s grief, and Negga ensures that Barbara is a thoroughly sympathetic character. Infiniti (who gave his career a boost with the recent film, One battle after another) plays Rusty’s daughter with a quiet vulnerability, which allows us to understand what Rusty has truly given up with his infidelity. No mention of the impressive supporting cast would be complete without Sarsgaard, who is also fantastic as the apparent villain of the story. He makes Tommy a little pathetic in some ways, which makes the battle between good and evil even more ambiguous. Each actor works to create a plot that seems even more realistic and captivating.

Presumed innocent ends satisfyingly – if completely shockingly – in the finale. Let’s just say you won’t see the end coming at all. The series was nominated for four Emmy nominations (including those for Gyllenhaal, Camp, Sarsgaard and Negga), further validating its high-caliber acting. The series has been renewed for a second season, but surprisingly, Gyllenhaal is not expected to return. In fact, there will be a whole new cast (including Matthew Rhys, Rachel BrosnahanAnd Fiona Shaw), and will be adapted from a brand new book entitled Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray. However, if the second season is anything like the first, we’re all in for a totally entertaining journey.

Season 1 of Presumed innocent is available for streaming on Apple TV in the United States