MB C
Sugar is a stylish neo-noir crime drama streaming on Apple TV+, recently renewed for a second season. It follows John Sugar (Colin Farrell), a compassionate private investigator with a deep love for classic cinema, as he searches for the missing granddaughter of a Hollywood mogul. What begins as a conventional mystery gradually shifts into something far stranger — and more ambitious......
The series pays elegant homage to film noir, blending black-and-white sequences with vibrant colors to reflect Sugar’s psychological state. With its jazz-infused score, surreal editing, and sharp cinematography, Sugar creates a dreamlike world suspended between past and present.......
The show’s strength lies in its bold aesthetic and Colin Farrell’s nuanced performance. However, a late narrative twist — revealing Sugar as an alien — recontextualizes everything, and while conceptually daring, it may arrive too late for full emotional impact. Some supporting characters lack development, and certain scenes feel stretched or overly cryptic.......
Ultimately, Sugar is a polarizing but memorable experiment in genre storytelling. It's a visual treat for cinephiles and noir fans, though its unconventional structure may not appeal to everyone......
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
05/16/25
Full Review
Nicole Y
A great crime drama with a twist that didn’t have to be. Just like I pretend the last episode of BSG didn’t happen, I blocked out that twist. Otherwise, great performances by Colin and the crew and he gets to drive the sweeeeetest car.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
05/03/25
Full Review
Rob G
Promising Pilot and Premise That Fail Hard from Lack of Effort
I really wanted to like this show. On early episodes, Farrell’s performance really sells this version of hard boiled “cerce la femme” detective. In particular, I loved his chemistry with Amy Ryan, and the homeless man watching his car. Sure, there were some clunky transitions - two scenes with dialogue interspersed confusingly, an insistence showing dozens of clips from, fetishized Golden Age cinema. Nevertheless, I was happy to find a neo noir with a compelling performance, and was along for the ride.
But then, somewhere around 3 episodes in, it felt like the entire cast and crew got together for drinks and decided, “We should all stop trying completely.” All chemistry immediately evaporates, as do the emotional stakes of the plot. See, for example, a scene of Dennis Boutsikaris and Anna Gunn speaking with a doctor, who tells them “he’s alive. Well, by alive, I mean, he’s a vegetable,” while both stare blankly.
Mind you, all this is before “the twist.” Personally, I’d be so into a twist of this nature (noir and sci fi are some of my favorite genres) IF it’s told with solid performances and an emotional core. Im “Sugar,” however, I’d already stopped caring about any character in the show about two hours earlier.
In fairness, this is not a full review, because I stopped watching after 5 episodes. To me, “Sugar” feels less like an homage to The Big Sleep or Chinatown, and more like another kind of throwback- mid 2000s low effort lineup filler, with one or two respected actors leading the cast just to lend some credibility. If you want to watch, I’d recommend checking out the pilot, and then just imagining the rest of the season. Chances are, the images in your mind will run laps around the actual show.
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
04/27/25
Full Review
Audience Member
Collns needed a paycheck, poor acting, cast is horrible, story and writing are horrible and slow. They repeated story line from episodes 1-3 from4 to 8. Drama, crime, I love. Knew the outcome in 3 episodes. Don't waste your time. Collin, turn down some roles occasionally. Your to good for this crap show.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
04/26/25
Full Review
Gareth v
While this film noir/sci-fi mystery has some twists that can baffle, at the heart of it there is a decent story that keeps you hooked.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/31/25
Full Review
Avindu G
With the high-end performances by the star studded cast and the spectacular story Sugar takes spectators on a sweet wild journey. It was puzzling how of a PI and an obsessive movie fanatic fit in together and the final twist ushers the white light of logic and sense. Flashbacks of movies and the classical music adds a sleekness to this mysterious story. Visuals and special effects were neat and clean. Opening score is excellent with the core of yhe story. After all what Sugar witness he sees the humanness and till then it was simply a wonderful story that would inspired, surprised and thoroughly entertaining.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/17/25
Full Review
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Episode 1
Aired Apr 5, 2024
Olivia
After solving a case in Japan, private eye John Sugar returns to Los Angeles to help find a missing woman with ties to a Hollywood legend.
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Episode 2
Aired Apr 5, 2024
These People, These Places
Sugar suspects Melanie's not telling the full story; meanwhile, he and Ruby may not be the only ones looking into the mysterious body in Olivia's trunk.
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Episode 3
Aired Apr 12, 2024
Shibuya Crossing
Melanie and Sugar get caught in a dicey situation and make a new enemy; Sugar reunites with old friends, but he senses some are keeping secrets.
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Episode 4
Aired Apr 19, 2024
Starry-Eyed
Sugar and Melanie track down Olivia's friend, who shares disturbing information about Davy and his family; Davy and Kenny dig into Sugar's past.
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Episode 5
Aired Apr 26, 2024
Boy in the Corner
Melanie gets a surprise visit that unleashes Sugar's dark side; Ruby receives chilling guidance from a colleague; Davy makes a tragic decision.
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Episode 6
Aired May 3, 2024
Go Home
Sugar thinks he's made a break in the case; when a double cross forces him to do the unthinkable, he turns to Melanie and Henry for help.
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Episode 7
Aired May 10, 2024
The Friends You Keep
Sugar's fears for the safety of his friends lead him to a clandestine gathering, where he learns a dangerous secret and the truth about Olivia.
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Episode 8
Aired May 17, 2024
Farewell
A shocking realization points Sugar toward a discovery that changes everything.
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