Imagine if you will a combination of the following: a critically praised BBC crime anthology series written by a celebrated playwright, the man behind "The Wire," the screenwriter who pinned "Schindler’s List", and the acting brilliance of some of the world’s most unique, new acting talent. I give you "The Night Of," a new HBO limited series that has been flying under the radar for weeks despite all of the praise it has been receiving. So I have now made it my mission to get more eyes watching "The Night Of" before this show is off the air for good.
Nasir Khan is taking his dad’s cab to a party one night when a girl gets in his car. His immediate fascination with the girl derails him and he drives around getting to know her. When they arrive back at her place she convinces him to drink with her and take drugs. A few hours later he wakes up in her kitchen only to find that at some point during the night she was brutally murdered, and he’s sure that he didn’t do it.
Nasir’s story is one of true heartbreak. A good kid with a lot of love and kindness in his heart is charged with a crime that he is sure he didn’t commit. Prison corrupts him, and he falls into the trap of his fellow inmates influence in the prison system. His trauma and fear are captured perfectly by the talented Riz Ahmed, whose new rise to stardom began when he starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in "Nightcrawler." Now he is the lead in an HBO Limited Series and appeared in the newest "Bourne" film. He also has a role in the new "Star Wars" spin-off film "Rogue One," coming out later this year. Ahmed captures the tortured soul of Nasir perfectly, his fall is devastating to watch. John Turturro is also captivating as John Stone, the down on his luck defense lawyer that takes on Nasir’s case. His drive is endearing, but his abilities are worrisome. His heart shines through as he becomes one of the most compelling, funny, and likable characters on TV this year. Michael Kenneth Williams, who is constantly good on every single show he appears in on HBO, meaning he must be a lucky charm for good TV, also gives a great performance as career criminal Freddy Knight. Knight is responsible for Nasir’s moral corruption in prison, and while he is a bad man, he is hard to dislike because he is Nasir’s protection and benefactor. Not because Nasir is indebted, but because he respects Nasir’s intelligence. Their relationship is fascinating. A brief praise for Bill Camp, Jeannie Berlin, Peyman Moaadi, Poorna Jagannathan, and Amara Karan as well as they round out the cast and deliver fantastic performances.
The show perfectly captures the sense of the slow wheels of justice, but never feels slow in a painful way. While the central mystery of if Nasir committed the murder is the central hook of the story, its comments on how race factors into a jury’s decision to convict someone are palpable and necessary in today’s cultural climate. The character’s involvement and own moral convictions also add another fantastic element to the story. What works best is the fall of Nasir. Even if he turns out to be innocent, even if the jury lets him go, no matter what happens. He will never be the same. The prison aspect of "The Night Of" is one of its biggest draws. No matter what happens, Nasir is a changed man. If he turns out to be innocent, his time in prison will have corrupted him so far that he will become a criminal anyway. That’s one of the messages of "The Night Of" that screams at society. Prison destroys good men. Nasir was a good kid who was kind to everyone he met, and prison made him cold and angry. No one comes back from that.
Its combination of amazing performances, comments on the justice system, amazing direction, and interesting characters have made it one of the greatest pieces of entertainment I have ever laid eyes on. If you are a fan of crime fiction or have any interest in watching a show that captures how the justice system truly works please take a look at "The Night Of."
