City On Fire Review – Hypnotic Music Driven Mystery Full of Intrigue
Air Date: Friday, May 12, 2023 on Apple TV+ (Three episode premiere)
Reviewer Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
City On Fire delivers a hypnotic, music driven mystery full of intrigue, scandal, and a plethora of drama. Set in New York City circa 2003, the synopsis provides a condensed overview of the series; however, it barely scratches the surface which is a veritable iceberg made up of decades of familial dysfunction, power-hungry social climbers, and drug fueled bitterness. The slow-burn first episode lays the massive foundation for a cornucopia of multi-layered story arcs that are connected like six-degrees of separation and manipulation.
Note: I did not read Garth Risk Hallberg’s book of the same name that was set in 1970s New York so this review is based solely on the series.
It’s post 9/11 New York City, a young man named Charlie (Wyatt Oleff), a senior in high school who comes into the city to see a psychiatrist after the loss of his father in the North Tower. While in the city, he sees a girl he went to high school with, Sam (Chase Sui Wonders), who’s now a freshman at NYU. Their friendship blossoms as Sam introduces Charlie to all her passion for photography, favorite haunts, books, and music, including her favorite underground band Ex Post Facto (now known as Ex Nihilo). But after a New Year’s Eve bash goes awry, Charile is grounded for six-months leaving Sam to her own devices.
During the same time, Regan Hamilton-Sweeney Lamplighter (Jemima Kirke) is dealing with her father Bill’s (Geoff Pierson) mental health, the future of the empire he built, her manipulative “Step Uncle” Amory (John Cameron Mitchell), infidelity, and raising two kids. Meanwhile, she runs into her estranged brother William’s (Nico Tortorella) boyfriend Mercer (Xavier Clyde) at her daughter’s school bringing up a painful past.
Throughout the three-episode premiere, everyone’s story arc overlaps in some way, all surreptitiously connected to one person – Sam. And when a young college student is shot in Central Park during the Fourth of July festivities, the connections that bind everyone together start to fray.
The writing is sharp thanks to Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage who created Gossip Girl. A big XOXO to these two and the cast because the acting is stellar. One standout for me is Nico Tortorella’s portrayal of William, a drug addicted ex-musician and artist who seems to struggle with his own existence. Formerly the lead singer of a band called Ex Post Facto (aka Ex Nihilo) and a grand art exhibit that made the cover of the NY Times, William’s fall from grace seems like self-sabotage but why? Could it have been the estrangement from his family, the tragic loss of one of his bandmates, or all the above? Tortorella’s performance is compelling. I loved him in Younger but he really shines in City On Fire.
Max Milner gives a nuanced performance as Ex Nihilo’s new lead singer Nicky who seems to have a cult-like following as he spouts ways to save the city and take it back for the artists. His seductive manner appeals to many young women, including Sam. But he’s got a big secret of his own. All the fires and explosions around the city are starting to catch the attention of the police. And with an attempted murder in Central Park, things really start to heat up.
City On Fire delves into what happens when one person that connects them all becomes a catalyst for uncovering greed, corruption, and murder. If you’re looking for something juicy and pulse pounding to sink your teeth into, check out City On Fire.
Tune in to CITY ON FIRE each week on Fridays at Apple TV+
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Judy Manning
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