The Alienist: Angel of Darkness | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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Where to Watch The Alienist — Angel of Darkness What to Know Critics Reviews Audience Reviews My Rating Cast & Crew Episodes More Like This Related TV News Videos The Alienist — Angel of Darkness Photos The Alienist — Angel of Darkness

86%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

The best-selling book by Caleb Carr is the basis for "The Alienist," a psychological thriller set amidst the vast wealth, extreme poverty and technological innovation of 1896 New York. A never-before-seen ritualistic killer is responsible for the gruesome murders of boy prostitutes, and newly appointed police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt calls upon criminal psychologist Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, newspaper illustrator John Moore and police department secretary Sara Howard to conduct the investigation in secret. The brilliant, obsessive Kreizler is known as an alienist -- one who studies mental pathologies and the deviant behaviors of those who are alienated from themselves and society. His job, along with his controversial views, makes him a social pariah in some circles. But helped by a band of outsiders, Kreizler's tireless efforts eventually answer the question behind what makes a man into a murderer.

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The Alienist — Angel of Darkness

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Critics Consensus

Tense and thrilling, if not terribly distinct, Angel of Darkness takes The Alienist in a darker direction while giving the superb Dakota Fanning more time to shine.

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Critics Reviews

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The Alienist: Angel of Darkness | Rotten Tomatoes (1)

Michael Phillips

Chicago Tribune

While Angel of Darkness has its blaringly anachronistic moments, it's well-tooled and visually detailed enough to keep you coming back for more genteel punishment.

Apr 16, 2021

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The Alienist: Angel of Darkness | Rotten Tomatoes (2)

Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

Film International

This is a complex crime story with enough twists and turns to keep even the most experienced genre addict on their toes.

Rated: 4.5/5

Nov 18, 2020

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The Alienist: Angel of Darkness | Rotten Tomatoes (3)

Ben Travers

IndieWire

"The Alienist" - which was originally critiqued for feeling behind the times and overly familiar - still plays like the worse version of so many other dramas.

Rated: C-

Jul 21, 2020

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The Alienist: Angel of Darkness | Rotten Tomatoes (4)

Jonathon Wilson

Ready Steady Cut

The Alienist returns with the same handsome-looking production and entertaining fusion of history and fictional embellishment, and with Dakota Fanning's Sara Howard occupying the limelight there's plenty of potential in this new season.

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 16, 2021

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The Alienist: Angel of Darkness | Rotten Tomatoes (5)

C.H. Newell

Father Son Holy Gore

An impressive follow-up season to the excellent first. Although Season 2 isn't my favourite of the two, it remains a great group of episodes

Apr 16, 2021

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The Alienist: Angel of Darkness | Rotten Tomatoes (6)

Beau North

The Spool

While the dialogue at times gets hokey, there is an earnestness at work behind every performance, stitched into every costume and painted into each drab street sign.

Apr 16, 2021

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Audience Reviews

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tarek e I was highly intrigued and entertained this series and the cast is amazing honestly ( Daniel a genius and luck is ever charming and conquers the screen as always ) , each played his role perfectly with no exception. Dakota shined as usual and even more in the second season which blew me ever more than the first . I want to simply add that the true shine and star of season 2 was Rosy McEwen , a brilliant brilliant brilliant performance!!! She takes you places you never thought you might go , she can lift you up then make you hate her and in the flip of a second make you feel sorry for her !! Brilliant performance in deed and a great match to Dakota!! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/25/24 Full Review Georgan G Very intense period crime drama. Viewers see the world as it really was. New investigation techniques by those trying to use scientific methods. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/24 Full Review Gareth v Slightly disappointing second season. While the characters have evolved it's a shame the story hasn't. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Two amazing seasons this second one had me biting the nail on the most ferocious and frightening, incredible performances. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review jelisije j Just as good as the first season and keeps on making me wanting more and more at the end of every episode. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Season 2 is sooooooo much better than the book. Just like season 1, the second season of the Alienist is a fast-paced historical mystery. The acting is superb! Seriously, the entire ensemble knocks it out of the park. The costumes, especially Sarah's, were mesmerizing. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

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Daniel Brühl Dr. Laszlo Kreizler Luke Evans John Moore Dakota Fanning Sara Howard Douglas Smith Marcus Isaacson Matthew Shear Lucius Isaacson Robert Wisdom Cyrus

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jul 19, 2020 Ex Ore Infantium Sara Howard opens a private detective agency in New York; Sara reunites with Dr. Kreizler and John Moore. Details Episode 2 Aired Jul 19, 2020 Something Wicked Sara uncovers a clue at the Siegel Cooper Department Store that leads her into dangerous territory; Moore struggles to balance his personal and professional life; Kreizler suspects dark goings-on at the Lying-In Hospital. Details Episode 3 Aired Jul 26, 2020 Labyrinth Sara persuades a young nurse to disclose what happens behind closed doors; Kreizler is convinced that hypnosis might unlock the traumatic memories of Señora Linares; Moore introduces Sara to a well-connected friend. Details Episode 4 Aired Jul 26, 2020 Gilded Cage The team must locate baby Ana; Sara worries about Bitsy Sussman; William Randolph Hearst hosts a lavish ball celebrating his goddaughter's engagement to Moore. Details Episode 5 Aired Aug 2, 2020 Belly of the Beast After a Lying-In Hospital employee is murdered, the team is hot on the heels of the killer; Sara enlists the help of Joanna to tail their prime suspect; the gang finds that not even Sara's office is out of the killer's reach. Details Episode 6 Aired Aug 2, 2020 Memento Mori Sara and Moore search for new information about their suspect; Kreizler faces ruin after a tragic incident at the Institute; Sara and the team must work with their adversary, former Commissioner Thomas Byrnes, to rescue another missing child. Details Episode 7 Aired Aug 9, 2020 Last Exit to Brooklyn Sara, Kreizler and Moore travel to Brooklyn in search of clues hidden in the killer's dark past; Thomas Byrnes plans to double-cross the team as the killer's behavior becomes more and more unhinged. Details Episode 8 Aired Aug 9, 2020 Better Angels While Sara Moore and Kreizler struggle with decisions about their future paths, New York is in the grips of an all-out manhunt for the killer; the team must overcome the wrath of the police and an underworld gang to save innocent lives. Details

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The Alienist — Angel of Darkness

The Alienist: Angel of Darkness: Season 2 Trailer 2