Dexter: Resurrection (Paramount+)

By: Dave Hughes

Starting in 2006, Dexter captivated a huge TV audience for Showtime and ushered in a whole new wave of ‘cool’ serial killers on television and in movies. Dexter ran for eight seasons and became a must see for many who couldn’t get enough of the Bay Harbor Butcher. Since the show ended, there has been a prequel (Dexter: Original Sin) and a one-off continuation series (Dexter: New Blood), but now Dexter is back again with Resurrection. 

Starting shortly after New Blood ends, Resurrection is a refreshing return to what made the original show such a stand out and allowed it to capture that audience. Resurrection takes Dexter out of the cold woods of Canada and the heat of Miami and places him in the chaotic streets of New York City. It’s an effective choice because it plants Dexter in an environment that he is not familiar with and one that the viewer learns with him. The audience rides along with Dexter on this journey and is back on the hunt trying to help him with his killer urges and code. The audience is re-introduced to his long lost son, Harrison, who is also grappling with his own killer impulses.

Michael C. Hall (Six Feet Under) is as good as he has ever been as the titular character. Dexter. His voiceovers and his awkward dark humor are back and better than they have ever been. Hall also has to portray Dexter feeling emotions that he has not previously had to confront with the addition of his son. Dexter’s son, Harrison, is played by Jack Alcott (Dexter- New Blood). Alcott portrays Harrison with a quiet empathy as his character confronts killer urges with uncertainty. Audiences may predict that this eventually becomes Harrison’s show, but Resurrection does not appear ready to let go of Dexter as such a charismatic lead. 

Resurrection is not without its stumbles. It’s a show that wants to both live in the past events while also forging a new path forward. The show cannot decide if it wants to focus on the events of the past or evolve into a new spinoff. There are also some surprising cameos which are designed to engage old viewers into the program, but it feels more like hollow fan service than actual fan service. Nonetheless, there are some really exciting opportunities for the show to move forward into further seasons while also revisiting grounds the audience has already explored.

Returning to a series that has ended two times already leaves viewers uncertain about what to expect. Both in the original series and in the subsequent sequel series, Original Sin, Dexter was given a definitive ending. That’s what makes the premise of this show such a challenge: convincing the audience to buy in. However, Dexter finds its footing and edge with Resurrection. There is enough to keep longtime viewers engaged and new viewers will familiarize themselves with a character with an edge who is finally finding some people with similar proclivities. 

Target Score 8/10 Dexter: Resurrection on Paramount+ is far from perfect, but it has enough going for it to keep the audience's attention out of the gate. With the right focus and continued evolution of these characters, this show is evolving and progressing into something that carves a new path while honoring those that came before.