‘Culprits’ Blunders at the End

A promising start steadily declines over eight episodes.

Nathan Stewart-Jarrett in Culprits | Credit: Hulu

An elite group of criminals pulled off an elaborate heist and got away cleanly, or so they thought. When someone begins killing off crew members one by one, they are forced to come together to unravel the mystery.

I must confess: I love a good heist movie or TV show. I’m a sucker for this type of story. I enjoy watching these characters try to pull off the impossible. Seeing intelligent and skilled people plan the ultimate heist is just thrilling (see the greatness that is *Ocean’s 11). And we get glimpses of that heist-planning brilliance in Culprits*.

There are also some moments throughout the season that look incredible. Color is used strategically, and some characters dress in monochromatic color palettes that are just so fun. The early episodes, directed by J Blakeson, are especially intriguing visually. I almost wish that he had directed all eight episodes so that the intentional use of color was more consistent throughout.

The locations used in Culprits are also gorgeous and help reinforce this show’s unique visual style. We get to see gorgeous houses, art galleries, and other luxurious locations all around the world. It really feels like we’re being transported to this other world as we get into the minds of these characters.

Gemma Arterton in Culprits | Credit: Hulu

Culprits is a fun take on the heist genre because we get to see glimpses of the planning, the execution of the heist itself, and the fall-out in the present, three years later. I loved this constant mixing of timelines because we get to learn so much more about each of these characters. Our assumptions about each of them are challenged as we move through the story, which makes things incredibly interesting.

We’re first introduced to Joe (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett), who appears to be an average man living in the United States. But we learn that there’s more to Joe than meets the eye.

His real name is David, and he was previously a criminal who was born and raised in London (complete with the English accent). He was known as “Muscle” on the heist crew and did exactly what his name entailed.

Joe/David/Muscle are all distinct from each other while also maintaining consistent traits throughout. And Stewart-Jarrett does a great job as Joe, David, and Muscle. I love that we get to see this character shapeshift over time, and we come to understand how moments in the past helped mold him into the person we meet in the present. He’s also a character that you want to root for, which makes each impossible situation he faces even more exciting.

In the past, Joe, aka David, is recruited for this impossible heist by Dianne Harewood (Gemma Arterton). She has a reputation for being both ruthless and incredibly effective at what she does. She is not a person to be trifled with.

Throughout the series, we get to see her planning this heist, which is thrilling. In each episode, we meet new members of this crew and learn about the functions that they will perform. Culprits does a great job showing all of these unique personalities and how they work (or don’t work) together.

Dianne is a great mastermind and, honestly, I really enjoyed watching her use her planning superpowers. She has rules that everyone must follow so that they don’t get caught. Dianne has thought through every single thing down to even the smallest details. She has plans and backup plans and plans within plans.

Then, of course, we see how even her best-laid plans don’t quite pan out how they’re supposed to. When everything goes wrong, we get to see how all of these really competent criminals respond. And when those moments in the past are intercut with moments of them running in the present, it makes for some really exciting action.

Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and Gemma Arterton in Culprits | Credit: Hulu

I was really tracking with this show for the first four episodes, but my interest really waned as the story went on.

The most interesting part of Culprits for me was the intentionality of the planning of the heist and the mystery surrounding who was after them. These characters are so detail-oriented and so good at their jobs, and we see that consistently throughout the show.

But by the end, it feels as though the writers lost their creativity. In some areas, it felt to me like they gave up.

Culprits starts by showing how incredibly talented all of these individuals are and how well-planned all of their actions are. But, by the end, that same level of intentionality seems to have disappeared. Portions of the final episode feel too convenient and some emotional moments feel unearned.

This show, which I enjoyed for the first few episodes, loses its magic in the last few episodes. It’s a shame that this really creative and inventive heist movie couldn’t keep up that creativity throughout all eight episodes. I appreciate what Culprits attempts to do. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end as strongly as it began.

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