In Netflix’s latest crime series “Nemesis,” “Power” Universe creator Courtney A. Kemp and co-creator Tani Morale explore the different prisms of morality through the eyes of two vastly different men, trying to carve out a legacy for themselves. One man works within a system that was never supposed to embrace him, and another in an environment that threatens to consume what’s left of his brilliance and humanity. A twisted high-stakes cat and mouse game, “Nemesis” is a thrilling rollercoaster.
The eight-episode first season opens at a lavish Beverly Hills estate on Halloween. Beloved businessman Coltrane Wilder (an incredible Y’lan Noel) and his wife, Ebony (Cleopatra Coleman), are dressed for the occasion as iconic “New Jack City” characters. (Its director Mario Van Peebles helms Episodes 1 and 2.) However, viewers soon realize the couple isn’t attending the swanky soiree to listen to music and network. After throwing a security guard off their trail and putting Ebony in place as lookout, Coltrane guides his crew, Stro (Tre Hale), Choi (Jonnie Park) and Deon (Quincy Isaiah) into the mansion, where they proceed to rob the homeowner and his high-stakes poker game.
Several miles south in Inglewood, Lt. Isiah Stiles (Matthew Law), a detective in LAPD’s homicide and robbery division, delivers cash to his father, Amos “Nightmare” Stiles (Moe Irvin). Disgusted by Isiah’s profession, the father-son relationship is full of tension and distrust. Despite his accomplished wife, Candice (Gabrielle Dennis), and 15-year-old son, Noah (Cedric Joe), policing is the center of Isiah’s life. Isaiah is also convinced Coltrane is the true culprit behind the death of his trainee Manny Shaw (Tristain “Mack” Wildes) Though his apprehensive partner, Yvette Cruz (Ariana Guerra) and police Captain James Sealey (Michael Potts) have tried to reason with him, Isaiah is so fixated on demolishing Coltrane’s pristine image that he’s become radioactive on the force and a stranger in his own home.
After learning about the Halloween robbery, Isiah becomes obsessed with bringing Coltrane down, even if it means incinerating everything and everyone he loves. For his part, Coltrane is resolute about keeping the felonious parts of his business far away from the life he and Ebony have worked so meticulously to build. What ensues then is a bloody, tantalizing battle of wits and nerve as the two men embark on a collision course to destroy each other.
Like “Power” and all of its spinoffs, “Nemesis” is full of stunning turns, shocking even the most observant audiences. Isiah and Coltrane are intoxicating foes, because they do what’s least expected. “Nemesis” opens up both Coltrane and Isiah’s worlds brilliantly, showcasing memorable side characters (“Power” Universe fans will recognize several familiar faces), such as the stoic Stro and his impulsive baby uncle Deon, as well as Ebony’s depraved and impeccably dressed older sister, Charlie (Sophina Brown). This massive web of characters offers varied textures and points of view within the show.
Like Charlie, all of the women in the series are empowered. Seeing their husbands on the verge of self-destruction, Ebony and Candice make difficult, unexpected choices to redirect their lives: These ladies can see the bigger picture when the men around them remain hyperfocused on one goal. When the plot starts to get a bit too convoluted and the action begins to feel overdone, the women in this world give “Nemesis” the grounding it needs.
While the majority of “Nemesis” is well-paced and relentless, the series does stall a bit around Episode 6, “The Die is Cast,” in which the first six minutes features a spray of gunfire and explosions. It feels overdone and far too soapy, taking away some of the narrative beats’ authenticity. Moreover, instead of leaning into the plot, the episode becomes an hour-long chase that doesn’t move the story forward until the very end. Had the sequences been shortened and tightened, the episode would have retained the rhythm of the rest of the show, while still driving the series and the audience to the very same shocking conclusion.
“Nemesis” asks its viewers a long-standing question: “What will the total annihilation of another cost you?” It’s certainly an inquiry other crime dramas like Peacock’s “M.I.A.” and BBC’s “Killing Eve” have tried to answer. Yet, with all of its intense cliffhangers and sexy sequences, it’s still incredibly fun to watch Isiah and Coltrane find out what the answer is.
“Nemesis” is now streaming on Netflix.