Animal Kingdom: The Complete First Season

Ellen Barkin plays Smurf Cody, the controlling matriarch of a Southern California crime family that includes her four sons, in this American TV adaptation of David Michôd's titular Australian crime drama. Relocated to the California coast surfing culture, the series opens with teenage Joshua, nicknamed J (Finn Cole), taken in by his grandmother Smurf (whom he hasn't seen in 12 years) following the drug overdose death of his mother. She slowly introduces him to the family business: namely, knocking off banks, jewelry stores, and other big-money targets. Baz (Scott Speedman) leads the crew of brothers, which includes the hyperactive Craig (Ben Robson), the surf-bum Deran (Jake Weary)—who hides a secret gay life from the family—and the angry, unstable Pope (Shawn Hatosy), who gets out of prison just as J is settling in. The culture of machismo and alpha male competitiveness is nurtured by Smurf, who fixes snacks and family meals as the siblings plot their next scores, maintaining her control through mind games, emotional manipulation, and restricted access to the money. It's a gritty crime show in the bright California surf and sun, full of sex and violence, and reckless, raw characters with few redeeming qualities but plenty of explosive energy. And it provides a showcase for Barkin to create a steely character with a savage edge. Presenting all 10 episodes from the 2016 debut season, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes and deleted scenes. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)