Apple TV’s highly anticipated psychological thriller Cape Fear officially landed on our screens on Friday, and viewers are already hooked. 

Inspired by the iconic 1991 film directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Steven Spielberg, this new ten-part series stars Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson as married attorneys whose lives begin to unravel when a vengeful killer from their past is released from prison. 

As a horror fan, I was thrilled to hear the story was getting a modern reimagining – especially with Javier Bardem perfectly cast as the manic Max Cady. With Martin and Steven returning as executive producers, fans of the original won’t be disappointed. 

Keep reading to find out exactly what critics and viewers are saying.

What is Cape Fear about? 

The series is based on both the 1957 novel The Executioners by John D. MacDonald, which inspired Gregory Peck’s 1962 film of the same name, as well as the acclaimed 1991 remake directed by Martin Scorsese.

The series follows Max Cady, a dangerous ex-con freshly released from prison and dead-set on tearing down the lives of the lawyers who put him there.

Those lawyers are Anna and Tom Bowden. 

17 years earlier, Anna was Cady’s former defence lawyer, whose plea deal put him behind bars for life. She ended up marrying Cady’s prosecutor Tom, and now Cady is determined to destroy their perfect life. 

The official synopsis reads: “A storm is coming for happily married attorneys Anna (Amy Adams) and Tom Bowden (Patrick Wilson) when Max Cady (Javier Bardem), the notorious killer they are responsible for putting behind bars, is let out of prison — and he wants vengeance.”

What have viewers said about Cape Fear?

It’s safe to say that audiences are already terrified and completely obsessed. 

Taking to social media, one person wrote: “I’m only one episode into #CapeFear on Apple TV and I’m already hooked,” while another added: “I can already tell #CapeFear is going to be an incredible show.”

A third viewer penned: “Just finished the first two eps of Cape Fear and Javier Bardem hasn’t even done anything yet and I’m already stressed. The psychological dread is immaculate, Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson are incredible too. Definitely the show of the summer.”

What’s the verdict from TV critics? 

TV critics are also impressed with the show. The Guardian handed out five stars, hailing the show as a “masterclass in tension, sublime directing,” while The Times awarded four stars, describing the thriller as a “delirious reimagining” with “audacious new twists”. 

Cape Fear episode release schedule 

Cape Fear premiered on Friday, 5 June with the first two episodes. New episodes will be released every Friday until 31 July.