The Fugitive

The Fugitive is a thrilling drama series which aired on the short-lived streaming platform Quibi in 2020. The show is a modern adaptation of the original 1963 series of the same name, which was later transformed into a 1993 blockbuster movie featuring Harrison Ford.

Set in Los Angeles, California, The Fugitive grips viewers' attention with an unforeseen terrorist attack that rocks the city's metro train system during the morning commute. The plot centers around a wrongfully accused man named Mike Ferro (Boyd Holbrook), a blue-collar worker, who becomes the central suspect in the massive bombing incident. Ferro, who has a checkered past and has worked hard to create a new life for his family, is thrust into a frantic race against time as he works to clear his name.

On the other side of the law, hard-nosed detective Clay Bryce (Kiefer Sutherland) is introduced. Sutherland's performance is reminiscent of his iconic role in 24, as his character remains relentless in pursuit of justice. Bryce is depicted as a seasoned, erratic detective, jaded by his years on the force and burdened by personal loss. He receives an anonymous tip pointing towards Ferro as the culprit, leading him to pursue Ferro with fixation.

What makes The Fugitive unique is its exploration of the role modern technology and the media play in shaping today's society's perception and reaction to news. We see the chaotic power of social media and its ability to manipulate information, spread panic, and form public opinion, rightly or wrongly.

The series showcases the relentless pace of news and how the rushing need for immediate conclusions can lead to disastrous outcomes. In this context, a young digital news reporter, Pritti Patel (Tiya Sircar), is introduced. Pritti is ambitious and fierce, steadily broadcasting updates that fan the flames of the growing public panic and suspicion. Her live tweets make Ferro the most wanted man in Los Angeles before any formal investigation is carried out by the police.

Moving at breakneck speed, the plot demonstrates how the harrowing, high-stakes game of hide and seek between the wrongfully accused man and the law enforcement ensues. This cat and mouse chase propels the narrative throughout the series, playing out in real-time over a 24-hour time span.

The Fugitive uses the mobile-oriented format of Quibi effectively, dividing the intense narrative into bite-sized portions of less than 10 minutes each. These short episodes encapsulate the fast-paced nature of the story, keeping viewers captivated from start to finish. It's intense, almost breathless storytelling, and the compact format lends itself to the frantic energy and urgency of the plot.

The series was filmed in a manner that it can be watched both horizontally and vertically, seamlessly aligning with Quibi's innovative strategy to offer content that is mobile-friendly. This adds a new perspective for the viewers in terms of cinematography, making certain scenes more intimate and close-quarters as viewers are drawn into the frenetic scramble for justice.

In the dynamic acting duo of Holbrook and Sutherland, the show gains substantially. Holbrook portrays a sympathetic character, a man shoved into catastrophic circumstances, while Sutherland delivers a solid performance as a law enforcer with tunnel vision on his mission.

In all, The Fugitive from Quibi can be described as a riveting roller coaster ride that doesn't let up, delivering suspense and drama in equal measures. It knits the elements of action, drama, technology, and media together, offering an intense narrative. With its exciting plot, well-defined characters, and high stake twists and turns, The Fugitive keeps its viewers engrossed to the very end.