IR TV Review: CAPE FEAR - EPISODE 4 (“Pierced”) [Apple TV]

After the final shots in Episode 3 which revealed an interesting new cast member, the reverse psychology on Max Cady does take on a different connotation in the fourth episode though it doesn't take away any of his danger. However its impact and why it is happening is still a little elusive. Anna (Amy Adams) is trying to figure out how to help another one of her clients and Cady just happens to be there with a way. Cady understands the power of information but even before prison he was very much up to being shady as one person at a car dealership engages him on. Bardem continues to be great in this scenario at coding but it is only skin deep so it will be interesting how it ultimately builds Cady down in comparison to before.

Juliette Lewis is the wild card here (which is interesting considering her connection to the earlier adaptation) and one interaction later in the episode takes away one option. Anna is also fading into the well of the past (without truly understanding its impact -- even though her former felon P.I. warns her). But it is also interesting the path Cady takes at one point in offering her help. It is actually done in two ways and both are done to try to break her down. Now again the end game and what is expected is tricky because it is a different time and a variation on the story...but the storm is still coming. But now also there is a game being played on the daughter from another party (whose ultimate reason remains elusive...but the bribe of it is understood). While it makes sense, the identity of the character is not precise enough. We get a clue but it feels like an offshoot that doesn't quite connect. The episode wants to build all these strands separately but, at times, it takes away a lot of time from the central Bardem story which is the reason to watch. However this might be a specific build for a certain reason. B-

By Tim Wassberg