🔥 ETHAN HAWKE JUST DROPPED A NETFLIX CRIME THRILLER THAT’S TAKING OVER

This 8-part series started quietly… and now fans can’t stop bingeing it in one sitting. Hawke delivers a raw, chilling performance in a story where every episode tightens its grip—no easy villains, no clean answers, just pure, unsettling dread.

Critics call it smart, brutal, and unforgettable — and viewers agree: this isn’t just a show. It stays with you long after the screen goes dark.
👇 WATCH NOW IF YOU DARE

Ethan Hawke’s ‘The Lowdown’: The Genius 8-Part Crime Thriller That’s Quietly Conquered Streaming – And Why Viewers Can’t Stop Watching

What started as a low-key FX premiere in September 2025 has transformed into a global streaming phenomenon: The Lowdown, the eight-episode neo-noir crime thriller created by Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs), starring Ethan Hawke in a performance critics are calling his most magnetic yet. Now fully available to binge on Hulu and Disney+, the series has exploded in popularity over the holidays, with viewers devouring all episodes in one sitting and flooding social media with declarations that it’s “impossible to stop watching.” Smart, brutal, and unnervingly human, The Lowdown isn’t just another crime show—it’s the kind that burrows under your skin and refuses to leave.

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Set in the gritty, vibrant underbelly of Tulsa, Oklahoma, The Lowdown follows Lee Raybon (Hawke), a disheveled bookstore owner and self-proclaimed “truthstorian” who moonlights as a citizen journalist obsessed with exposing local corruption. Loosely inspired by real-life Tulsa historian Lee Roy Chapman, Lee’s relentless digging into powerful families, shady deals, and hidden histories constantly lands him in danger—whether it’s beatings from skinheads, threats from tycoons, or strained relationships with his ex-wife and teenage daughter. When a prominent figure’s suspicious death unravels a web of deceit, Lee’s pursuit of the truth becomes a high-stakes game where no one is clean and answers come at a brutal cost.

Hawke delivers a raw, restrained, and deeply unsettling performance as Lee—a hangdog rascal with world-weary charm, equal parts Philip Marlowe and The Dude, but infused with Hawke’s signature intensity. Critics rave about his ability to balance humor, vulnerability, and moral fury, with The Guardian calling him “terrific” and many predicting Emmy nods. “Ethan Hawke at his very best, like he was born to play this role,” one fan gushed, echoing the consensus that this is one of his finest hours.

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The supporting cast is stacked: Keith David as Lee’s wry ally Marty, Kaniehtiio Horn as his ex Samantha, Ryan Kiera Armstrong as their sharp-witted daughter Francis, and guest turns from heavyweights like Peter Dinklage, Kyle MacLachlan, Tim Blake Nelson, Tracy Letts, and Michael “Killer Mike” Render. Their chemistry grounds the pulpy plot, adding layers of family tension and unexpected alliances amid the chaos.

Harjo, reuniting with Hawke after his guest spot on Reservation Dogs (and sharing the same universe with subtle cameos), crafts a love letter to Tulsa that’s as affectionate as it is unflinching. The city isn’t just backdrop—it’s a character, with dusty streets, dive bars, and historic haunts amplifying the neo-Western noir vibe. Influences from Coen brothers, David Lynch, and classic hardboiled fiction abound, but Harjo flips the script through an Indigenous lens, examining power, corruption, and truth-seeking with wit and depth. There are no easy villains here: characters are flawed, motivations murky, and dread builds slowly through sharp dialogue and escalating stakes.

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Critics have showered it with praise: a near-perfect 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, with consensus hailing it as “pulpy entertainment” elevated by Hawke’s charisma and Harjo’s hometown passion. Variety called it superlative, Collider named it one of 2025’s best, and outlets like Screen Rant and The Mirror dubbed it “genius” and a must-watch neo-noir. Viewers agree—it’s addictive. “I binged the whole thing in one night,” reads countless posts. “Smart twists, brutal honesty, and that slow-burn dread… it stays with you.”

What makes it impossible to pause? The pacing masterfully blends quirky humor, visceral action, and emotional gut-punches. Episodes cliffhang on revelations that reframe everything, while themes of fractured families, the cost of truth, and America’s hidden rot resonate deeply. In a genre full of glossy procedurals, The Lowdown feels authentically human—messy, funny, and haunting.

As binge numbers soar (ranking high on Disney+ and Hulu globally), talk of Season 2 is rampant, with Hawke teasing more organic stories for Lee. Whether it returns or stands alone, this is peak television: a thriller that entertains while provoking thought.

Don’t sleep on The Lowdown. All eight episodes are streaming now on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally). Clear your schedule—this one will grip you until the bittersweet end and linger long after.