"Eric" is a new Netflix miniseries that blends psychological drama and mystery, set in 1980s New York City. The series follows Vincent Anderson, a children's TV show creator played by Benedict Cumberbatch, whose life unravels after his son goes missing.
To cope with his son's disappearance, Vincent relies on his son's drawings of a puppet named Eric, descending into obsession with creating the puppet to find his missing child.
The series explores themes of fatherhood, patriarchy, childhood innocence, adult harshness, racism, and inequality in missing persons investigations. It attempts to balance psychological depth with social commentary, portraying a masculine-driven world plagued by prejudice and corruption.
Benedict Cumberbatch and McKinley Belcher III, who plays detective Michael Ledroit, deliver standout performances. Detective Ledroit, a black gay officer, navigates the dangers of investigating missing persons while facing prejudice.
The series is not based on a single true story but is inspired by various missing child cases, with the inspiration coming from growing up in the 80's and hearing about such cases.
The production team faced challenges creating Eric, a giant puppet with white fur and a blue, gargoyle-esque face reflecting the New York cityscape, requiring multiple operators. Benedict Cumberbatch researched for his role by watching shows about puppet workshops and learned puppeteering skills through acting for the show.
Viewers on social media have expressed fascination with the series, praising its reflective and emotional script. The series creator, Abi Morgan, aimed to reflect the creative maverick lifestyle through the character of Vincent and highlighted that the monsters in the series are not where you think they are.
The series was filmed in New Jersey with sets in Budapest, capturing the urban aesthetic of 1980's New York. The miniseries provides closure to its major characters, with the potential for a second season exploring a different missing person case in New York.
Sources: Sky, MovieWeb, The Atlantic, Time, Forbes, LeMonde, Daily Mail
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
