Cape Fear, on Apple TV+

This time around, Max Cady wisely ditches the “love” and “hate” knuckle tattoos, in favor of the more New Age-sounding “Lost” and “Past.” Admittedly, it makes it easier to fool the media, the cops, and the public interest lawyers. Cady’s 1991 tattoos originally came from Night of the Hunter, not the original 1962 film adaptation of John D. MacDonald’s The Executioners, but it seems like the one element Scorsese and De Niro fans would most likely miss. On the other hand, they won’t miss Bernard Herrmann’s thunderous score. Just like Elmer Bernstein reworked it for the 1991 remake, Jeff Russo reorchestrates the reorchestrations for creator Nick Antosca’s ten-episode—yes, count them, 10—re-remake of Cape Fear, which starts streaming today on Apple TV+.

This time around, the focus shifts to Anna Bowden, who was the defense attorney who advised Cady to take a plea bargain for the murder of his wife. Since then, she has risen to prominence as the chief counsel for a death row exoneration non-profit. She also married Tom Bowden, the well-heeled assistant district attorney who prosecuted Cady. Even they admit it looked super awkward, but it was never an issue until Cady’s ex-girlfriend committed suicide, leaving behind a confession and evidence that cleared Cady.

Bowden knows that Cady is toying with her and her family, but she can’t prove anything. Unfortunately, she must put on a show of solidarity when her boss agrees to handle Cady’s suit against the prison. That shows what public interest groups really care about: financial interest. However, viewers know full well all the trouble that befalls the Bowden’s emotionally disturbed son Zack and his half-in-the closet half-sister Natalie are not coincidences. Yes, Natalie’s true father will be a source of speculation and rumor. Could it be Tom, which would be scandalous, given the timing of the trial and her birth, or could it be someone even more scandalous?

Scorsese’s remake was just a few minutes over two hours, while J. Lee Thompson’s original was considerably shorter. In contrast, Antosca needed ten full-hour episodes for his retelling (out of which eight were provided for review). Not surprisingly, there is a lot of padding. Episodes two and three could (and should) have been condensed down to 15 minutes each. He and the writers also introduce wild new complications. This time around, not only does the stalker have his own stalker, perhaps his stalker does as well. Frankly, it all gets very silly.

Amy Adams tries to sell all this madness with her relatively grounded performance as Bowden, but her spotty southern accent is not much help. Javier Bardem recycles all his snarling No Country for Old Men Bond villain greatest hits as Cady, but frankly, his on-screen personas are not as sinister as his off-screen extremism.

As Tom Bowden, Patrick Wilson has little charm and little chemistry with Adams, but that might be by design. Plus, Lily Collias and Joe Anders seem to be competing to make their respect Bowden step-siblings more recklessly irresponsible and more bafflingly self-destructive than the other. Some viewers might grow optimistic when a prominent cast-member from the Scorsese film returns in what initially appears to be a significant role, but frustratingly, the mystery guest star then disappears for multiple straight episodes. (It is also worth noting Scorsese and Stephen Spielberg, an uncredited producer on the 1991 film, are onboard as executive producers.)

Those Herrmann themes still make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. Yet, it prompts comparisons that are ultimately unflattering. The series constantly stretches credibility, especially when it implies Cady, a man who spent years in prison, has greater tech savvy and skill at manipulating social media than two highly successful trial attorneys. It’s a mess. Not recommended, Cape Fear starts streaming today (6/5) on Apple TV+.