Dope Thief on Apple TV+ tries its best to match up to Severance, but does it deliver?

Disclaimer: This article contains the author's opinion on Dope Thief.

Apple TV+'s Dope Thief is getting attention, and people wonder if it's the next big hit like Severance. The simple answer is no, but that's not a bad thing. This is a different kind of show, focusing on crime drama rather than the sci-fi thriller genre of Severance. It's got characters that you might not always root for.

The show is made by Peter Craig, who also worked on The Batman and Top Gun: Maverick. Ridley Scott directed the first episode, which is pretty cool. You'll see some great acting from people like Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura, who play two con artists pretending to be DEA agents. They get in way over their heads, which is what makes the story interesting.

We say Dope Thief has got a raw, honest way of telling the story and that the actors do an amazing job. But we get that not everyone agrees. You might think the pacing isn't quite right and the show doesn't go deep enough into the characters' world or the themes it's trying to explore.

So, Dope Thief might not be the next Severance, but it's still worth checking out. It adds to the growing list of good dramas on Apple TV+ and shows the company's willingness to try different types of stories.

Just don't go in expecting the same thing as Severance. It's its own thing.

Dope Thief is an emotional crime drama

Dope Thief has a strong point: mixing action that gets your heart racing with close-up moments between the characters. Brian Tyree Henry is really good as Ray Driscoll, a con artist with a hard history. His performance is one of the best parts of the show and keeps you watching.

The way he acts with Manny, played by Wagner Moura, is also great. They're friends who rely on each other, but their life of crime keeps getting more dangerous. The show looks amazing because of the camera work.

Erik Messerschmidt, who won an Oscar for Mank and The Killer, uses bright street scenes and a shaky camera to make you feel like you're there in Philadelphia's bad areas. It reminds you of movies like The Town and Causeway, making everything seem very real.

Kate Mulgrew changes a lot to play Theresa, Ray's stepmother. Fans say she's as good as Patricia Arquette in Escape at Dannemora.

Her scenes show us how much the characters care about each other, which makes the action scenes more important.

Does Dope Thief live up to its prestige TV influences?

Some critics think Dope Thief doesn’t reach its full potential. The show can feel repetitive in the middle, which slows down its pace.

It tries to be both a crime thriller and a dark comedy, but sometimes this mix doesn’t support the serious moments. It looks at topics like addiction, family loyalty, and corruption, but it doesn’t blend these into the story as well as other shows like Breaking Bad or True Detective do.

However, Dope Thief does have good parts. The first episode is really good. Ridley Scott directed it, and there’s a suspenseful scam that goes wrong. The way Henry and Moura interact keeps the story interesting.

Even when the dialogue isn’t perfect, they make it work. The show doesn’t change the genre, but it’s still a thrilling watch for fans who enjoy such characters and plots. It’s not perfect, but it's worth checking out if you like this kind of storytelling.

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The series will be available on Apple TV+ from March 14, 2025.

The first two episodes will come out at the same time. After that, a new one will be there for you to watch each week.

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