A Preview of ‘Ragdoll’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

For the most part, crime dramas/thrillers that just so happen to feature a serial killer, follow a fairly specific formula. One that involves a grand and engaging cat and mouse between a troubled detective and a brilliant killer. Wherein both sides find themselves frustrated with a lack of progress when it comes to their respective goals before everything comes together in an explosive finale. One where the hero detective finally brings the monster to justice and well, that’s why that formula is out there, because that’s an engaging and satisfying way to tell this type of story, and it is a formula that audiences have made clear they love, through and through.
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But as the market continues to evolve and peak television continues to experience stunning demand, there are creative minds out there that are seeing an opportunity to separate their story from the pack and put forth a tale that wows us and engages us in new and exciting ways and the serial killer themed crime thriller is no exception to this. For they are starting to go new places storytelling wise and they’re working to surprise and challenge the audience like never before and it just so happens… that AMC+ is about to debut a new serial killer/detective series that fits that mold, and we here at Nerds That Geek, had the opportunity to see some of Ragdoll in advance and thought it would be fun to preview this show, without spoilers of course.

Because this really is quite the different kind of crime show and one way that it separates itself from the pack… is by way of its characters and its story structure. Because the characters here find themselves on paths that are indeed as unique as they come, and their respective journeys also examine some fascinating and poignant concepts that we don’t talk about enough. Such as the importance of taking care of our mental health and how difficult it can be to maintain that when there is pressure all around us, and injecting that into a story such as this, really does add depth to the investigators that we are spending time with, and the wonder of this new series doesn’t end with its fascinating character design. 

For this is also a story that works hard to keep the subject matter from never going too dark. A feat that it accomplishes by injecting the right amount of quirky humor into this tale, and while at first glance that appears to be the wrong thing to do for this genre, that’s simply not the case. For the jokes do offer levity and they even help us to care about the characters more, since there’s an odd humanity to be found in making light of a tough situation, since we’ve all done that from time to time. But above all else, what truly allows for this series to shine, is the case at hand. For what the killer does in this story, is downright chilling and supremely unsettling and different, and by keeping the killer’s motivation for this crime and their identity a secret, which is another departure from formula… you’re immediately invested in this story.

Because you simply have to know why on earth the killer has chosen to kill and what their motivation is for such a heinous crime and the only way to get those answers, is to continue the journey and this is definitely a show that leaves you eager to do just that. Because it genuinely creates a compelling world, one that feels real and surreal all at the same time and that too is a fascinating aspect of this tale, as are the many surprises that pop up along the way and well, if we’ve done enough to entice you in regard to this series… then good news, you won’t have to wait long to watch it. For Ragdoll makes its debut on November 11, 2021, on AMC+ and we are so looking forward to geeking out with all of you about this refreshing new series, come next week. Until then.  

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