Rating: 10/10 ⭐️🩸
Initially, I wasn’t sure if I should invest my time in Dexter: Original Sin. As a longtime fan of the original Dexter, I always felt the show didn’t get the ending it deserved. Dexter: New Blood was supposed to fix that, but honestly, it didn’t quite hit the mark either. The thing is, I suppose I want Dexter to win in some way, even though he technically isn’t supposed to. Now, with Dexter: Resurrection on the horizon, I’m still unsure what a truly satisfying conclusion would look like.
That said, Dexter: Original Sin turned out to be far better than I expected. It managed to recapture the essence of what made Dexter so compelling in the first place, bringing back the tension, dark humor, and psychological depth that made the original series great.
The show nails the tone and atmosphere of Dexter. From the cinematography to the haunting score, everything feels right. The updated opening intro sets the mood perfectly, blending nostalgia with a fresh perspective. It introduces a younger Dexter as he goes through his morning routine—lying in bed as a mosquito lands on his arm, swatting at it and missing. This small but meaningful detail showing his early struggles with control. The sequence remains faithful to the original intro while providing a fresh take on Dexter’s early years.
The storytelling excels in exploring Dexter’s evolution, providing insight into his internal conflicts and his gradual mastery. We see him learning how to blend in, stalking and capturing his prey, and refining his kills with increasing efficiency. His experiments with disposal of his kills and his awkward relationships within and outside of Miami Metro.
The biggest standout? Patrick Gibson as young Dexter. He completely embodies the mannerisms, speech patterns, and eerie detachment that made Michael C. Hall’s portrayal so iconic. Gibson delivers an uncanny performance, capturing the nuances of Dexter’s duality—the awkward, introverted lab geek and the calculating predator lurking beneath. One particularly striking moment is when he observes his first crime scene with fascination barely concealed.
One of the most satisfying aspects of Dexter: Original Sin is how seamlessly it weaves in callbacks to the original series, rewarding us, the longtime fans without feeling heavy-handed. We get to witness the early days of Dexter’s relationships with pivotal characters like Harry Morgan and Debra, as he navigates his interactions within the Miami Metro Police Department, gradually learning how to blend in. The show subtly nods to Dexter through familiar locations, iconic lines of dialogue, and Dexter’s early fascination with blood, creating a rich connection between the past and present. There is also clever foreshadowing of events that played out in Dexter, such as hints at future adversaries and the early formation of Dexter’s killing rituals, making the experience even more immersive. The writing team deserves credit for striking a perfect balance between nostalgia and fresh storytelling, ensuring that every reference serves a purpose beyond mere fan service.
Bringing back Michael C. Hall as the inner voice of Dexter was a brilliant decision. His narration is an essential part of what makes Dexter feel like Dexter. His delivery adds depth to the psychological conflict brewing within young Dexter, reinforcing that this isn’t just another serial killer origin story—it’s his story, and it remains uniquely engaging.
I sincerely hope this gets a second season. It would be fascinating to see more of Dexter’s early development—how he sharpens his instincts, balances his need to blend in at Miami Metro, and grapples with his growing urge to kill. His evolving relationships with Harry, Deb and others at Miami Metro could add further depth, revealing how their influences shape his actions.
And then there’s Dexter: Resurrection. While I don’t know what a truly satisfying conclusion to Dexter’s story would look like at this point, I do know that Original Sin has reignited my excitement for the franchise.
I wasn’t expecting to love Dexter: Original Sin as much as I did, but it completely surpassed my expectations. It’s Dexter in its purest form, staying true to what made the original great while adding new layers to the character's past. If you’re a Dexter fan, this is absolutely worth watching.
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