Smoke (2025): A Taut Crime Thriller Igniting the Psyche
Premise & Genre
Created by acclaimed novelist Dennis Lehane, Smoke is a gripping crime drama with strong mystery undertones. It centers on a troubled detective forced to partner with an enigmatic arson investigator to track down two serial arsonists, unraveling shocking secrets and psychological complexities along the way.
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Premiere & Release
The series debuted on Apple TV+ on June 27, 2025. It is produced in the U.S. and typically releases one episode per week.
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Cast & Creative Team
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Created by: Dennis Lehane — also serves as showrunner and writer.
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Main Cast:
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Taron Egerton as Dave Gudsen (arson investigator)
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Jurnee Smollett as Michelle Calderone (detective)
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Rafe Spall, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Hannah Emily Anderson, Greg Kinnear, John Leguizamo, among others.
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Critical & Viewer Reception
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IMDb Rating: ~6.5/10 from around 4.8K votes—a solid start.
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Viewer Reviews: Praised for its originality, engaging characters, realistic dialogue, and intense psychological atmosphere.
"While it could have probably been an episode or two shorter it’s still a really good show... what follows is plenty of secrets being revealed and twists... will keep you engaged and entertained."
"The characters are interesting, the dialog realistic... the story has me completely hooked."
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Premise Insight: Lehane delivers an intelligent exploration of pyromania, cloaked in mystery melodrama and edgy characters.
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Episode Guide & Highlights
The first season spans 9 episodes, all approximately 50 minutes each. Recent episode releases and their IMDb ratings include:
| Episode (Title) | Release Date | IMDb Rating / Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot | June 27, 2025 | 6.9/10 — Tension escalates; protagonists introduced. IMDb+1 |
| Your Happy Makes Me Sad | June 27, 2025 | 7.1/10 — New leads stir chaos; Faust reevaluates. IMDb |
| Weird Milk | July 4, 2025 | 6.7/10 — Calderone pushes forward; Gudsen suggests new direction. IMDb |
| Size Matters | July 18, 2025 | 7.3/10 — Investigative shifts; characters reveal motives. IMDb |
| Manhood | July 25, 2025 | 7.9/10 — Tensions heighten; emotional undercurrents emerge. IMDb |
| Whitewashed Tombs | August 1, 2025 | 8.0/10 — A covert mission and new witness intensify drama. IMDb+1 |
| Mercy | August 8, 2025 | – — Gudsen pivots strategy; past traumas surface. IMDb |
| Mirror, Mirror (Episode 9) | August 15, 2025 | – — A massive blaze triggers a high-stakes showdown. IMDb+1 |
Global Reception & Additional Insights
On Douban (a major Chinese platform), the show—referred to as 烟火寻凶—holds a 6.6/10 rating from about 274 users. Comments note strong character dynamics and intriguing production but also criticize unnecessary romantic subplots and uneven storytelling.
Douban Movie
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title & Locale | Smoke (2025–), aka Firebug or Cortina de Fumaça |
| Platform | Apple TV+; premiered June 27, 2025 |
| Genre | Crime Drama, Mystery, Psychological Thriller |
| Creator | Dennis Lehane (based on real "Firebug" podcast inspiration) |
| Key Cast | Taron Egerton, Jurnee Smollett, Rafe Spall, Greg Kinnear, John Leguizamo |
| Season Structure | 9 episodes (~50 min each); weekly releases |
| Reception | IMDb ~6.5/10 from 4.8K; Douban 6.6/10 from 274 |
| Strengths | Taut pacing, character tension, psychological depth, Lehane’s vision |
| Criticisms | Some pacing issues, unnecessary subplots in secondary arcs |
Concluding Thoughts
Smoke is a bold and suspenseful entry in psychological crime drama, elevated by Dennis Lehane’s writing and a strong central pairing in Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett. While audience reception is “solid but not sensational,” the series gradually builds intrigue, drawing viewers into its fiery cat-and-mouse game. If you're drawn to dark mysteries steeped in character tension and criminal psychology, this one’s worth the spark.
