When Sugar debuted in April, viewers who decided to watch the series could not even imagine the big twist that would come at the end of the sixth episode. After that big revelation, the surprise comments that proliferated on social media sparked the curiosity of new fans who needed to discover for themselves what all the fuss was about. 

Those who jumped on board at that moment confirmed that the "hype" was justified, so if you are reading this and still don't know what we're talking about, you're in luck because you've found the perfect series to binge-watch this summer.

What it's about

Los Angeles, a private detective with secrets, a powerful magnate, and a missing young woman. Sugar has the basic ingredients of all stories framed in the noir genre, and also one of the most charismatic and charming protagonists from any series or movie you can remember, the noble John Sugar, portrayed by Colin Farrell, a performance that should have earned him an Emmy nomination.

The series follows the titular private detective, John Sugar, who after completing a mission in Tokyo, travels to Los Angeles and takes on a new case: finding Olivia, the missing granddaughter of the enigmatic Hollywood producer Jonathan Siegel (James Cromwell). 

This is a case that Sugar won't be able to resist because he loves classic Hollywood film noir. Sugar lives, dresses, moves, and speaks like a character from the movies of that golden age, with images blending into the narration. But unlike some of the most archetypal detectives of the genre, Sugar is not an anti-hero: he's a hero. He is an honest, noble, and generous man who has no problem with drugs or alcohol. 

A twist that changes everything

Sugar has no vices, but he does have secrets, and these secrets will lead to that twist we mentioned at the beginning, which Simon Kinberg, its creator, described in an interview with EL ESPAÑOL "as one of the biggest twists I can think of in any TV series or movie." (Don't read the interview until you've seen the sixth episode because it contains spoilers).

When asked if they were concerned at any point that the audience would complain because they thought they were watching one series that turned out to be another, Audrey Chon (co-creator) replied that they were not because "there are breadcrumbs along the way, and when that revelation happens, all the dots connect. You can rewatch the episodes and reinterpret everything."

Kinberg added, "The series starts as one thing and then becomes another, it's all a win, you get two series for the price of one, and a blend of genres that works. Today's audience is so sophisticated that it will be surprising to them in a positive way."  

Why you'll like it

In addition to the nods, references, and tributes to films like Touch of Evil, The Third Man, The Maltese Falcon, and The Long Goodbye, Farrell's charismatic performance and his chemistry with Amy Ryan make every scene a delight.

To this is added the exquisite visual proposal of Fernando Meirelles (City of God) and Adam Arkin (The Night Manager, The Offer) and the length of their episodes, which do not exceed 35 minutes (except for the first one, which lasts 50). And there's an adorable dog for whose safety the viewer, pardon the spoiler, should not worry at any time. What more could you ask for. 

*This article has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence