Comparisons between a new science fiction thriller and two established series are usually marketing shorthand, but in this case the reference points describe the structure accurately. One half borrows the office-bound dread of a corporate satire, the other the anthology-style unease of a dystopian series, and the result is a two-part story that asks the audience to hold two registers at once. That ambition is what makes it interesting, and also what makes it fragile. A split narrative only works when both halves carry equal weight, and viewers tend to notice immediately when one side feels like filler. Apple TV has been willing to fund experiments like this because critical attention follows them, and a smart, unsettling thriller travels further among subscribers than another reliable genre entry. Anyone who enjoyed the shows being referenced should temper expectations slightly, since resemblance is not imitation, but the early response suggests the combination holds together better than the premise might imply. Two-part structures also allow for a cleaner ending, which is something anthology-style thrillers rarely manage.
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That series isDark Matter. Based onBlake Crouch's novel of the same name,Dark Matterfollows Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), a physics professor witha picture-perfect life. His best friend, Ryan (Jimmi Simpson), is an award-winning physicist, and he's happily married toDaniela (Jennifer Connelly). Jason's life is upended when a mysterious figure kidnaps him.Worse, the kidnapperis his duplicate from an alternate universe,determined to take over his life. Stranded in another world, Jason races to get back home with the help of his duplicate's girlfriend, Amanda (Alice Braga).
'Dark Matter' Grounds Its Multiverse Approach In Emotional Stakes
The idea of alternate universeshas fueled sci-fi stories for decades, from cult classics likeSliderstoupcoming blockbusters likeAvengers: Doomsday.Dark Matterups the stakesby putting character over spectacle, exploring how both Jasons operate in different worlds. Jason 1 fights against impossible odds, including a series of increasingly uninhabitable realities, to get back home. Jason 2, on the other hand, makes decisions that benefit him, not the family he stole. It doesn't hurt thatEdgerton makes both Jasons feel like distinct characters, from Jason 2's secretive movements to the sheer determination fueling Jason 1. Blake Crouch toldSpace.comthat hewanted a character-driven approachforDark Matter, as it helped audiences accept the crazier concepts baked into the narrative.
"But when the book came out, it was the first story that went all in and committed to the idea of the world in a grounded, emotional, character-driven way. And we always try to stay true to that identity. Sometimes the multiverse can be fun shock and awe when it comes to showing how wild and crazy different worlds can become. But for our characters, everyone is just shades of the same core character. And I think that approach hopefully keeps it from falling into some of those trope traps."
Season 2 ofDark Matterflips the script by focusing on Danielaand how she deals with the twin traumas of uprooting her family to live in another world and accidentally murdering an alternate Jason who comes to visit them. Jennifer Connellypours a wealth of emotion into her performance, particularly in the Season 2 episode "What The Universe Is Made Of". There, she shares a touching reunion with an alternate version of her stepfather, Gabriel (Gil Birmingham). From the scenes they share, it's clear Daniela wasn't close to her world's Gabriel, and she's using this chance to try to rectify that mistake. This simple, yet powerful moment is what makesDark Matterworth watching.
Will 'Dark Matter' Return For Season 3?
WhileDark Matterhasn't received the same accolades as its fellow Apple TV sci-fi series, it has fans — includingSiloauthorHugh Howey, who called it "the best show airing right now." With such high praise, you would think Apple TV is racing to greenlight another season,but there's no word on a potential Season 3. Season 2 even ends with the potential for future stories, as Daniela travels to alternate worlds to find her and Jason's son Charlie; she succeeds, right as Jason deploys a code that disables the universe-hopping "boxes" his alternate self created.
It would be a shame ifDark Matterdoesn't get more seasons,as it showcases Apple TV at its best. A stacked cast, a compelling concept, and incredible performances make this worth watching, whether you're a sci-fi fan or not.
