Perhaps The Fear Index’s greatest downfall is how easily it becomes a huge cliché on the genre.
Josh Hartnett takes the lead as entrepreneur Alex Hoffman in this four-part drama. Based on Robert Harris’ 2011 novel of the same name, The Fear Index begins with Alex planning to launch a newly invested AI-fuelled system that can exploit the financial market, feeding on fear.
Hoffman is fixated on the theory of predictability and behavior patterns that occur when a person is scared, inspiring his latest invention. All seems well for the scientist-turned-mogul, until he himself is subjected to a terrifying encounter within his own home. The events that follow – set over the course of 24 hours – are pure adrenaline pumping chaos for Hoffman as he learns that fear can be anything but predictable.
Straight off the bat, having Hartnett jumping back into the driver’s seat sounds like a superb start. Just his mere screen presence is likely plentiful to make you want to root for his character, in any role he plays really. He sets off the series carrying a magnetic, suave charm, but Hoffman’s rose-tinted world soon starts to crumble around him. Alex’s plan to execute his AI scheme must retire for the time being when he becomes entangled with a cyber-attack.
Now plagued with hallucinations and a concerning bout of memory loss, Alex must find a way to piece the mystery together before the clock runs out. Is he being framed? Or is there something much darker at hand in Alex’s life? Hartnett quickly makes the abrupt switch from a self-assured, collected tech genius to a dishevelled vessel of desperation. His descent into Hoffman’s paranoia cements the core premise of Harris’ novel. However, it is ultimately Hartnett’s attachment to the role that carries the entire weight of The Fear Index.
While Hartnett proves to be a vital component in bringing this adaptation to life, he is not given much material to work with in developing his performance. Hoffman is a monotonous guy, and Hartnett spends most of the episodes with frantic eyes and sweating through tedious monologues. Being the central character does sway in Alex’s favor, but this only draws more attention to the two-dimensional supporting characters.
Performances aside, the series struggles to uphold an engaging plot. The general tone feels bland for the most part. There are severe pacing problems throughout all four episodes. Following a tense opening sequence – which gives promise to the series and delves into jump scare horror territory – everything falls into a frenzied and unfortunately, messy delivery. Perhaps The Fear Index’s greatest downfall is how easily it becomes a huge cliché on the genre.
The Fear Index is maybe best served on a dreary night when channel flicking has gotten too much. The series fails to deliver in many aspects. The thrills simply aren’t there. After Hoffman’s suspenseful home invasion, the show doesn’t take long to fade immensely. Not even Hartnett is powerful enough to weave this four-part adaptation together.
Rating: 2 out of 5
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About The Fear Index
Dr Alex Hoffman (Josh Hartnett) is a computer scientist and genius who is ready to make a killing. Alongside his Hedge Fund business partner and best friend, Hugo, he’s launching VIXAL-4 to investors – an AI-driven system that exploits fear in the financial markets and promises returns of billions. But this is not the day Alex and Hugo had planned on. What follows are the worst 24 hours of Alex’s life – cutting across reality, memory and paranoid fantasy, forcing him to question everything he sees with his own eyes.
Jenna is a Film and Visual Culture graduate and freelance entertainment writer from Scotland. Her passion lies with TV and horror, where she will take any opportunity to geek out. Jenna spends her free time binging shows and looking to be spooked.