Eric

Eric

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7 / 10

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Overview

A desperate father, alongside a tenacious cop, battles his own demons on the streets of 1980s New York as he searches for his missing nine-year-old son.

Media

Benedict Cumberbatch, Gaby Hoffmann and more on making ERIC Netflix's new crime drama | BAFTA

Cast

Benedict Cumberbatch

McKinley Belcher III

Creator:

Abi Morgan

Fist Air Date:

2024-05-30

Episode Runtime:

undefinedm

Production Companies:

SISTER, Little Chick

Genres:

Keywords:

1980s disappearance father son relationship miniseries missing child new york city puppet puppeteer self-loathing son thriller

More Show Details

Vote Average: 7.0/10

Vote Count: 286 Votes

Show Popularity: 6.6281

Show Status: Ended

Show Type: Miniseries

Spoken Languages: English

Review

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Insomniacs Reviews
- 04 May 2026 at 5:33 pm

7 Based on 1 Votes
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⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 7/10 THE SUMMARY Set in the grit of 1980s New York, this six-part Netflix series stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Vincent, a high-maintenance puppeteer on a popular kids' show. When his nine-year-old son, Edgar, goes missing on the way to school, Vincent’s mind starts to unravel. He becomes convinced that a seven-foot tall monster named Eric—drawn by his son—is the only key to finding him. The story dives into a messy mix of drug-fueled spiraling, city corruption, and the AIDS crisis, showing the dark side of a city on the edge. THE PROS This is a solid watch because it takes a bizarre premise and turns it into a heavy psychological drama. Benedict Cumberbatch is a standout as Vincent; he plays a man who is both a grieving father and a total nightmare of a human being with zero filter. The 1980s NYC aesthetic is spot on—it’s grimy, moody, and feels completely lived-in. McKinley Belcher III is also excellent as Detective Ledroit, providing a grounded, calm presence that balances out Vincent’s frantic, puppet-filled madness. It’s a brave show that doesn't try to make its lead character likable, which is a fresh change. THE CONS It stays at a 7 because it tries to do way too much at once. It’s a missing-person thriller, a character study, and a political commentary on homelessness all shoved into six episodes, so some parts feel a bit thin. While the monster Eric is a cool concept, his presence can sometimes feel like a distraction from the actual mystery of the missing kid. The subplots about the city's underground tunnels also take up a lot of time, making the pacing feel a bit uneven. It can be a relentless slog of misery at times, which might be a bit much if you’re looking for a glimmer of hope. THE VERDICT 7/10. A smart and genuinely weird crime drama. It’s a great pick for Cumberbatch fans and a solid choice if you want a thriller that isn't afraid to get ugly while exploring how our own personal demons are often scarier than the ones we imagine. INSOMNIAC TRIVIA • To get the 1980s look right without spending a fortune, the production filmed most of the interiors and the "underground" scenes in Budapest, using old beer storage tunnels to stand in for the NYC subway system.• Benedict Cumberbatch actually provided the voice for the Eric puppet himself, though the creators made him redo it because his first attempt was way too deep and "startling" for the character.• The puppet’s eyes were specifically designed to match Benedict’s own eyes to reinforce the idea that Eric is just a loud, furry manifestation of Vincent’s subconscious. THE VIBE Like a neon-lit alleyway in a rainstorm. It smells of stale cigarettes, damp fur, and the cold reality of a New York morning.

TV Show Poster

Season 1

6 Episodes

Air Date: 2024-05-30

Videos

Benedict Cumberbatch, Gaby Hoffmann and more on making ERIC Netflix's new crime drama | BAFTA

Cast

Benedict Cumberbatch

McKinley Belcher III

Related Shows To

Eric

Reviews for

Eric

Comment (1)

Insomniacs Reviews
- 4 May 2026 at 6:33 PM

⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 7/10
THE SUMMARY
Set in the grit of 1980s New York, this six-part Netflix series stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Vincent, a high-maintenance puppeteer on a popular kids’ show. When his nine-year-old son, Edgar, goes missing on the way to school, Vincent’s mind starts to unravel. He becomes convinced that a seven-foot tall monster named Eric—drawn by his son—is the only key to finding him. The story dives into a messy mix of drug-fueled spiraling, city corruption, and the AIDS crisis, showing the dark side of a city on the edge.
THE PROS
This is a solid watch because it takes a bizarre premise and turns it into a heavy psychological drama. Benedict Cumberbatch is a standout as Vincent; he plays a man who is both a grieving father and a total nightmare of a human being with zero filter. The 1980s NYC aesthetic is spot on—it’s grimy, moody, and feels completely lived-in. McKinley Belcher III is also excellent as Detective Ledroit, providing a grounded, calm presence that balances out Vincent’s frantic, puppet-filled madness. It’s a brave show that doesn’t try to make its lead character likable, which is a fresh change.
THE CONS
It stays at a 7 because it tries to do way too much at once. It’s a missing-person thriller, a character study, and a political commentary on homelessness all shoved into six episodes, so some parts feel a bit thin. While the monster Eric is a cool concept, his presence can sometimes feel like a distraction from the actual mystery of the missing kid. The subplots about the city’s underground tunnels also take up a lot of time, making the pacing feel a bit uneven. It can be a relentless slog of misery at times, which might be a bit much if you’re looking for a glimmer of hope.
THE VERDICT
7/10. A smart and genuinely weird crime drama. It’s a great pick for Cumberbatch fans and a solid choice if you want a thriller that isn’t afraid to get ugly while exploring how our own personal demons are often scarier than the ones we imagine.
INSOMNIAC TRIVIA
• To get the 1980s look right without spending a fortune, the production filmed most of the interiors and the “underground” scenes in Budapest, using old beer storage tunnels to stand in for the NYC subway system.
• Benedict Cumberbatch actually provided the voice for the Eric puppet himself, though the creators made him redo it because his first attempt was way too deep and “startling” for the character.
• The puppet’s eyes were specifically designed to match Benedict’s own eyes to reinforce the idea that Eric is just a loud, furry manifestation of Vincent’s subconscious.
THE VIBE
Like a neon-lit alleyway in a rainstorm. It smells of stale cigarettes, damp fur, and the cold reality of a New York morning.

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