Hulu’s ‘Reprisal’ sees remarkable Abigail Spencer performance as she transforms from Katherine to shine as Doris Quinn
Whether it’s the trailer, preview, or simple observation, Hulu’s new original crime-drama-thriller is universally defined as a "hypernoir" story of revenge. And so it is. The ten-episode first season (there’s still no promise of a second one) has managed to keep its slick, cynical, pitch-dark, tonality of the plot.
Despite a slow start, if one can hold onto the bumpy ride through the story, it is only because Abigail Spencer brought Doris Quinn to life like no one could. In fact, she redefines the idea of what we know of a "femme fatale" and that makes her character all the more interesting.
So, here’s how it goes. The story’s narrative has very less to do with the success of Spencer’s character. To see Katherine/Doris in her elements as the creators had made her to be, one needs to see her exclusive of her setting, especially in places where the movie shuns all possibilities and assumptions of reality. And we are okay with that. Because Doris makes us ignore all the low points. And here’s why.
The show opens with dead bodies and mayhem and Spencer introduces herself as a sister of one the three men who ruined her life. Without any backstory or unnecessary introduction, we are looking at Katherine (the simple, southern belle in despair) and then, a quick flash forward to a few years later when she goes by the name Doris Quinn, we see her in her real elements (as the character has been designed).
This is where there’s an overhaul of her persona. From her overtly blonde wig to her very retro clothing, weapons, a grisly setting of scenes, there is a polar shift from Katherine to Doris. But you also have to remember that she is not the classic, tall, tights-and-boots clad, gun-slinging vamp that most classic movies have taught us to believe.
Doris is a petite and charming, and not to mention extremely fashionable, southern girl who could deceive anyone with her appearance. Underneath her sleek and chic look, is the woman of steel whom Spencer is to be lauded for personifying in all her glory and keeping us hooked till the end.
She brings the perfect balance of charisma, violence, vengeance, and blood-pumping action, wrapped nicely in an air of cold subtlety. But what’s most interesting about Doris is that you want to like her and hate her at the same time.
Well, yes, she has been a victim of ultimate torture, being left to die almost in the middle of nowhere. There’s no way you cannot sympathize with a woman like that. But then when you see her change to Doris, there’s this ominous air about her, especially when she says, “I come from bad blood, Tommy. Bad blood, dark days.”
We have seen her go through things that can make you cringe but now her body language does speak "bad blood". This shift of vibe is so on the money with our star female, that it almost feels natural for her to be the antiheroine.
Typically, with such characters, we often see a turnaround, at some point or the other, where the good girl goes bad but occasionally struggles to get back being good. But not with our Doris here. She doesn’t want to go back to being Katherine. She has her mind and is on a killing spree.
This is where she sports an ice-cold attitude, which Spencer nails to the last blow. We cannot forget the scene where Doris shows her most menacing side, before going on a shooting-and-stabbing rampage, and tells her victim “This next part is gonna make me very melancholy.” And then guns down a diner full of lowlife gangbangers.
We know how Abigail Spencer is a born "noir heroine". But going all grungy in ‘Reprisal’, was way beyond her known repertoire and she manages to surprise us in every frame, making her character the only groundbreaking part of the entire show.
As promised, she delivers right on point with her performance and rises above all the downsides in plot and flow, and shines like the brightest star, making us believe that she can be captivating in any role thrown at her.
‘Reprisal’ is currently live on Hulu with all ten episodes.