DEXTER: RESURRECTION

Michael C. Hall as the ever-delightful Dexter

DEXTER: RESURRECTION (2025). 

Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) , the serial killer who generally only murders other serial killers, did not die at the end of his last mini-series. He survived being shot in the chest by his own son, Harrison (Jack Alcott). Dexter continues to have conversations with his dead father (James Remar) -- a device that is a bit tiresome, frankly -- as he makes his way to Manhattan (!) to see if he can be reunited with his son, whos' got himself into a bit of trouble due to his lack of impulse control. Meanwhile, a truly evil serial killer is sawing off the heads of unlucky cab drivers; detectives are looking into the brutal death of a hotel guest/rapist; and Angel Batista (David Zayas), who always suspected colleague Dexter was the Bay Harbor Butcher, is determined to bring him to justice. If that weren't enough, Dexter learns that a strange midget billionaire named Leon Prater (Peter Dinklage) has assembled a group of serial killers for his own weird purposes. Will Dexter bond with these people who have some of the same "urges" as he does -- or kill them?

Jack Alcott as Harrison Morgan

I admit when the midget and his gathering of sickos are introduced I feared that Dexter: Resurrection had gone off the rails. But once I accepted that this storyline was even more far-fetched than usual, I found myself mightily enjoying the series. Hall is a terrific actor, and sheer perfection as Dexter. He is matched by Alcott, Zayas, and Dinklage, and there are also fine performances from Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine as Dexter's friend and landlord, Kadia Saraf as the ever-grim Detective Wallace, and many others. Uma Thurman is also effective as Prater's head of security. Although top-billed with Hall, she doesn't really have that much to do. 

Peter Dinklage

You wouldn't imagine that the subject matter would lend itself to it, but Dexter: Resurrection is as much a (very) black comedy as it is a horror story. (Detective Wallace giving in to her adoration of the Bee Gees; "Staying Alive" from Saturday Night Fever is hilarious.) With a variety of twists, bizarre characters, edge-of-your-seat escapes, and major suspense, Dexter: Resurrection is a winner all the way. It has been renewed for season two, airing in October. 

Verdict: Totally absorbing and oddball series with wonderful performances. ***1/2.