David Farnor | On 08, Dec 2024

Colman Domingo is one of the best actors working today. It’s only in the past year that he’s really got the chance to show the world that, from Sing Sing to Rustin, and The Madness is a great way to close out 2024. Here, the Fear the Walking Dead scene-stealing once again gets to take a welcome centre-stage playing Muncie Daniels, a TV pundit who is known for being outspoken and controversial – until he has to go on the run after coming across a dead body.

The dead body makes a messy appearance in the Poconos, where Muncie goes on a solo retreat to write his book. When he pops across to neighbour to help with a power outage, he stumbles across a blood-splattered sauna where bits of his neighbour have been brutally scattered. A chase through the woods later and Muncie finds himself unable to stop running, as the cops end up suspecting him of the killing.

So far, so gripping, as The Madness taps into undercurrents of racial stereotyping and systemic corruption to power its conspiracy plotting. But that’s just the tip of the well-crafted iceberg, as Muncie discovers that the dead person is the head of a far-right group, and that he’s being framed by forces much bigger than the local police. What unfolds is a timely snapshot of a world where misinformation carries as much weight as truth, as social media and online echo chambers help to muddy the waters beyond mere untrustworthy authorities – although, of course, the authorities can’t be trusted any more than anyone else.

The waters are muddied further by an impeccable ensemble cast. Tamsin Topolski is superb as the widow of the corpse, who left the far-right group a long time ago but misses the support provided by a loyal – if dangerously misguided – group of allies. John Ortiz is endearing as Franco, an FBI agent who seems to be the only straight-shooter with the drive to take on Muncie’s case. Bri Neal is enjoyably ambiguous as a YouTuber who may or may not be honest. Bradley Whitford is delightfully villainous as a billionaire who’s used to having the power goes his way. They all bring shades of grey to proceedings, upping the stakes as well as the tension.

There’s a surprising amount of nuance to Muncie’s family life too, from his estranged wife, Elena (Marsha Stephanie Blake), who still cares for the father of their children, to his disappointed son, Demetrius (Thaddeus J Mixson), trying to learn how to be a man, to his daughter from another relationship, Kallie (Gabrielle Graham), who finds affection and respect in difficult circumstances.

Perhaps the only clear-cut character is Alison Wright’s brilliantly vicious hired assassin, who drives suspense higher the more the episode – and body – count climbs. The result is a rivetingly complex tale held together by an earnest and heartfelt turn from Colman Domingo, who turns a post-truth thriller into a rousing story of integrity and second chances. You’d be mad to miss it.

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