The Fatal Attraction series generated a lot of buzz in 2023 when it remade the classic 1980s film, but is the modern thriller worth watching? Debuting in April 2023 on Paramount+, the show follows DA Dan Gallagher as his torrid affair turns dangerous when his new lover refuses to break things off. With more storyline to work with, and a modern sensibility, Fatal Attraction shed a lot of the somewhat misogynistic aspects of the original film and told a compelling yet familiar story. Across its eight-episode run, the show not only delivered the erotic thrills audiences were looking for, but added something new to the popular ’80s staple.
The cast of the Fatal Attraction series was an all-new stable of talented and recognizable names, and Paramount+ went the extra mile to add the star power that the story demanded. Fatal Attraction represented the first in a line of classic Paramount films that are expected to get the series treatment on the studio’s signature streaming service, but it wasn’t really the hot start that was hoped for. Less than half a year after the show’s first season concluded on a cliffhanger, Fatal Attraction was canceled by Paramount+ which means that the series won’t get the chance to truly stretch beyond the boundaries of the movie.
Everything You Need To Know About The Fatal Attraction Series
As previously mentioned, the Fatal Attraction series began airing on Paramount+ in late April 2023 and ran until the final episode aired on May 28th of the same year. The show is based on the play and screenplay that served as the basis of the 1987 movie which was written by James Dearden. The series was developed for the screen by the duo of Alexandra Cunningham and Kevin J. Hynes, and Jonathan Talbert served as the show’s producer. The series was the first of several classic Paramount movies that the streamer planned to make into ongoing series, with titles like The Italian Job and Flashdance on the docket as well (via Deadline).
The recognizable main roles from the movie were recast, with Emmy-nominated star Lizzy Caplan tapped to play the role of Alex which had previously scored Glenn Close an Oscar nod. Joshua Jackson stepped into the role of Dan which was previously played by Michael Douglas, and he was joined by a veritable roster of established talents in supporting roles. Dan’s wife Beth was played by Amanda Peet and veteran character actor Toby Huss was cast as Dan’s close associate Mike Gerard. The decision to cancel Fatal Attraction after only one season was something of a shock, but it isn’t the first Paramount+ original to get the axe.
According to Deadline, the cancelation wasn’t given any sort of official justification from Paramount in their press release, but a spokesperson did say “We want to thank both series’ entire creative teams, crews and the fantastic casts for their dedication to bringing these series to life“. The lifespan of streaming TV is somewhat difficult to pin down, and there has been no word as to how the cancelation of the Fatal Attraction series will affect the future of Paramount+’s plan to bring other classic movies to life as shows.
Why You Should Watch The Fatal Attraction Series
As is the case with most streaming-exclusive shows that bite the dust, Paramount+ plans to leave Fatal Attraction on their platform to encourage discoverability. Often, canceled series are a hard sell, but there are still good reasons to watch the show despite the fact that no new episodes will be coming on the horizon. First and foremost, the nostalgia factor for Fatal Attraction is strong, and the series echoes many of the things that made the original one of the best thrillers of the 1980s. The erotic thriller genre is often very hit or miss, but Fatal Attraction the series nails those elements with a bit more realism than its predecessor.
Also, the show is a must-watch because of Lizzy Caplan’s commanding performance as Alex. Following in the footsteps of the great Glenn Close is no easy feat, but Caplan brings an energy to the role that is different from Close’s signature mania. Considering the fact that the new version of Fatal Attraction gives Alex more to work with besides just being a “crazy ex-girlfriend”, Caplan is able to sink her teeth into a role that is much more human but no less creepy. While it is ultimately a one-and-done performance, the cast is perhaps the brightest aspect of the Fatal Attraction series.
What The Critics Thought Of The Fatal Attraction Series
Critics were somewhat less kind to the Fatal Attraction series as they were to the original film, and the one-season Paramount+ exclusive could only muster a paltry 37% on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. The most prevalent critique of the series was that it attempted to tell a more politically complex version of the original story, but mostly fumbled when it came to execution. The film was noticeably of its time, and the series had an opportunity to change some of the wrongs of the past. Unfortunately, the art of great storytelling was lost in translation as modern writers attempted to tiptoe around the outdated past.
Where To Watch The Fatal Attraction Series
As with all Paramount+ original shows, the Fatal Attraction series only streams on the aforementioned app, though it can be accessed in several ways. Paramount+ offers various pricing options, with the basic plan beginning at $4.99 per month, though it is supplemented with ads. Paramount+ can also be purchased as an add-on to services like Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, and Apple TV+, though it requires an additional monthly fee on top of the original cost of the services listed. For those wishing to purchase individual episodes of the Fatal Attraction series, it is available to buy through the following marketplaces:
- Apple TV – $2.99 per episode or $19.99 for the season
- Vudu – $1.99 per episode or $13.99 for the season
