Eric Review: Benedict Cumberbatch Shines as a Troubled Father in 1980s Manhattan

 Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of complex, troubled characters has only intensified over the past decade, beginning with his iconic role as Sherlock Holmes. His performances in the Showtime series Patrick Melrose (2018) and the Oscar-nominated The Power of the Dog (2021) have solidified his reputation for embodying dark, multifaceted roles.

In Netflix's new limited series Eric, set in the vibrant yet chaotic backdrop of 1980s Manhattan, Cumberbatch pushes his craft even further. He takes on the role of Vincent, a volatile TV puppeteer grappling with emotional fragility—a character reminiscent of a beleaguered Jim Henson.

Vincent's life unravels when his 9-year-old son, Ivan Howe, goes missing. Consumed by grief, he descends into alcoholism and loses his job. His only solace comes in the form of Eric, an enormous, animated puppet. Whether Eric is a magical fantasy or an imaginary friend akin to those in recent films remains ambiguous. He is an imposing, abrasive presence, adding layers to Vincent's turmoil.

Cumberbatch delivers a powerful performance as Vincent, capturing his anguish and fury. Despite this, his portrayal lacks the authenticity of a New York accent, unlike Gaby Hoffmann, who excels as Vincent's wife. The series aims to depict a gritty, bustling Manhattan, though it falls short of the meticulous urban detail seen in Steven Soderbergh's Full Circle.

The character of Eric, the aggressive puppet, is not fully explored. One might wish for Guillermo del Toro's expertise in bringing monstrous figures to life to enhance Eric's impact on the narrative. Del Toro, known for The Shape of Water and Pan's Labyrinth, could have infused Eric with a Gothic-romantic flair that the series lacks.

Overall, Eric presents a compelling but incomplete portrait of a father's despair and the surreal elements that infiltrate his reality. While Cumberbatch's performance is laudable, the series could benefit from a deeper exploration of its fantastical aspects and a more authentic representation of its New York setting.

Now streaming on Netflix, Eric invites viewers into a world where reality and imagination blur, anchored by Cumberbatch's riveting portrayal of a man on the edge.