The dramatically intriguing new Apple TV+ miniseries Manhunt, is a smart and well done parallel of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and murderer John Wilkes Booth in the aftermath of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Stanton is steadfast in his desire to bring Booth and his co-conspirators to justice, while the fugitive killer is driven by a misguided sense of purpose, imagining himself a symbol for the Confederacy.
Based on James L. Swanson’s book, Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer, series creator Monica Beletsky crafts a supremely interesting version of that dark time in American history. Focusing on the fight to abolish slavery and begin the Reconstruction, Beletsky and her staff of writers construct a link from those tumultuous years to the treasonous America of today. Experiencing the real life characters who were part of an underground Confederate conspiracy to overthrow the government hits too close to home in 2024.
Manhunt’s first two episodes are directed by the great Carl Franklin (later episodes were helmed by directors John Dahl and Eva Sørhaug). As he showed in his excellent 1992 thriller One False Move and his 1995 treasure Devil in a Blue Dress, Franklin once again proves he knows how to get into the more humanistic traits of his characters, while capturing the tension and drama of the piece.
In a career-best turn, an excellent Tobias Menzies is Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. The actor brings a soul and vitality to the character, while making the audience an ally during Stanton’s 12-day pursuit of John Wilkes Booth and others who were involved in the plot to assassinate the president; all the while coping with his ailing health. The miniseries’ first two episodes deal with the night of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and Stanton’s ensuing pursuit of Booth. So begins a carefully constructed flashback structure that continually achieves a strong narrative momentum. Moving from past to present (and back again) strengthens not only the tension of the work, but allows a deeper insight to its characters, who many may not know beyond their historical footnotes.
The supporting cast does very well. The great Lili Taylor makes an important mark as Mary Todd Lincoln, never overplaying the grief or mental issues that plagued the First Lady. As Detective Lafayette Baker, Patton Oswalt infuses the role with just a dash of humor while giving an impressive dramatic performance as a man who sees conspiracy everywhere.
Lovie Simone is Mary Simms, one of the most important characters in solidifying the convictions of the co-conspirators. Thus far, a mere blip in American history, this was a woman who could have an entire film crafted around her powerful story. Through her expert work, Simone gives weight to Mary Simms and her significance in the historical narrative.
Hamish Linklater is terrific as Abraham Lincoln. The actor nails the thin tones of the president’s voice and (as did Daniel Day-Lewis in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln) shows the normal man behind the legend. Unrecognizable behind the excellent makeup, Linklater (one of our most interesting character actors) shows us a Lincoln who grieves for his dying son, intensely loves his wife, and wants his country to heal after Lee’s surrender signaled the end of the Civil War.
Peppered into the story through flashbacks, as the president’s death echoed through the times, Linklater’s great work is the thread that tethers the emotion of the story.
Anthony Boyle is creepily loathsome as John Wilkes Booth. This was a racist man whose sympathies stayed with the failed Confederacy. Booth saw himself as “the next president of the Confederacy” and wanted his action to make him the most famous man in the world. Boyle captures Booth’s dangerous arrogance quite well, in what is perhaps the best portrayal of the assassin to date.
Through seven episodes, the miniseries is grounded by good pacing, strong character work, and an intricate examination of how treasonous views lead to violence and bloodshed that will echo throughout the centuries. The importance of the facts (a few acceptable changes for dramatic license) and the strength of the narrative carry the work to its satisfying finish.
Series runner Monica Beletsky knows it is imperative for the series to dig deeper into Booth, and not just remember him for shouting, “Sic semper tyrannis!” Manhunt takes care in examining the psyche of the man and those who would help him. In doing so, the series becomes an unnerving reminder of the importance of bringing traitors to justice and showing that the government will not allow this to happen again. The sad reality, over 150 years later, here we are once more.
If only Stanton were here to speak the series most valuable line, “This is America. We replace our presidents with elections, not coups.”
The entire series screened for review. The first two episodes are currently available on Apple TV+
Manhunt
Series Creator– Monica Beletsky
Series Writers- Tim Brittain, Matthew Ross Fennell, Jan Oxenberg, Mat Johnson, Ben H. Winters, & Monica Beletsky
Series Directors- Carl Franklin, John Dahl, & Eva Sørhaug
Apple Studios, Lionsgate Films, 3 Arts Entertainment
