‘Tight, sick, suspenseful’ — critics say ‘Dexter: Resurrection’ brings wicked humor and killer thrills, despite flaws
Denton Davidson
Dexter Morgan is back for a killer new spin-off in Dexter: Resurrection.
This fresh chapter is a welcome revival for fans of the Emmy-winning franchise, with Michael C. Hall reprising his iconic role as the serial killer who hunts those who evade justice. Critics are already praising Resurrection as an improvement over Dexter: New Blood, even if it doesn’t fully recapture the brilliance of the original series, which ran for eight seasons on Showtime from 2006 to 2013 and earned four Emmys. The 10-episode thrill ride premieres July 11 on Paramount+ with Showtime.
Chris Bennion (Daily Telegraph) points out a few flaws, such as "tedious stock characters," "alarmingly hammy acting," and "a script that assumes we are all staring at our phones as we watch." Yet, despite these shortcomings, he argues it’s still worth watching. For fans willing to let go of lofty expectations, Bennion notes, "you’re rewarded with Dexter’s trademark breezy, jet-black wit and a crime procedural all its own. It’s like CSI: Patrick Bateman."
Resurrection is the third spin-off in the Dexter franchise, continuing the story from the original Dexter series and Dexter: New Blood (2021). The franchise also includes Dexter: Original Sin (2024), a Paramount+ prequel that delves into a young Dexter Morgan's early years, exploring the origins of his dark compulsions.
The latest chapter, developed by showrunner Clyde Phillips, picks up where New Blood left off, just weeks after Dexter took a bullet to the chest from his own son, Harrison (Jack Alcott). Dexter awakens from a coma to find Harrison gone. Realizing the weight of what he put his son through, the serial killer sets out for New York City, determined to find him and make things right. But when Miami Metro's Angel Batista (David Zayas) arrives with questions, Dexter realizes his past is catching up to him fast.
The season's most noteworthy newcomer is Emmy winner Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), who plays "a billionaire philanthropist with a clandestine sideline in collecting serial-killer memorabilia." Bennion writes, "Watching Hall and Dinklage go head-to-head as the series develops will make the whole endeavor worthwhile." The same can't be said for Uma Thurman's "pantomime turn as Dinklage's fixer" — in fact — "the less said the better."
Bob Strauss (San Francisco Chronicle) says, "[Clyde Phillips] still constructs tight, sick, suspenseful stories. They’re character-driven with well-placed humor too; Resurrection’s running Bee Gees gags and vegan cracks earn more smiles than they should, while the macabre stuff gets pretty wild." Meanwhile, Ben Travers (IndieWire) praises the the spin-off, writing, "Those little flourishes – the new setting, the old humor, the new killers (who are just goofy enough to evoke the excellent killers of old) – are enough of a hook to reward anyone still eager to engage with their favorite aughts era mass murderer."
While Resurrection enjoys an impress perfect 100 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the general consensus is this won't be next year's hottest Emmy contender. Daniel Feinberg (The Hollywood Reporter) notes, "All of the grounding and clarity of purpose that carried Dexter: New Blood is gone, but if the version of Dexter that you enjoy was already borderline cartoonish there’s entertainment to be found here."
