‘Stand-Out Action Thriller’ Or ‘Fundamentally Lazy’? Critics Are Split Over Patrick Dempsey’s Memory Of A Killer

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Patrick Dempsey, known for his role as a neurosurgeon on Grey’s Anatomy who researched Alzheimer’s, is now starring in a new Fox series called Memory of a Killer. Premiering on January 25, 2026, the show flips the script – Dempsey plays Angelo, an assassin who is beginning to show signs of dementia. He’s managed to keep his dangerous profession hidden, but that may not last. Early reviews of the crime drama are mixed, with critics divided on its quality.

The new series, Memory of a Killer, is inspired by the 2003 Belgian film The Alzheimer’s Case. Reviewer Liam Matthews of The Wrap notes that the first two episodes introduce many plotlines, but the story moves quickly and is exciting. It’s surprising – and compelling – to see the actor best known for romantic comedies playing a ruthless killer. Matthews believes the show has potential, as long as it doesn’t try to cover too much ground.

Dempsey handles the lead role well and seems to be enjoying playing a more complex, villainous character. While he doesn’t show a lot of emotion right now, the series may be saving the bigger emotional reveals for later. His character, Angelo, is a villain who’s convinced himself he’s justified in his actions, and it will be interesting to see how he reacts when confronted with the truth. ‘Memory of a Killer’ isn’t an instant hit, but it shows promise as a gripping, dark thriller similar to ‘Dexter,’ focusing on a flawed protagonist.

Billy Fellows from Collider enjoyed the first few episodes, awarding the series an 8/10. He particularly appreciated how the show uses Alzheimer’s disease as a unique way to explore the common trope of a killer’s actions affecting their personal life. According to Fellows:

I was completely hooked by Memory of a Killer! Honestly, there’s not much to complain about. Sure, the editing was a little unclear sometimes, but those moments were rare and didn’t bother me at all – I actually kind of liked them. What really grabbed me was Dempsey’s performance; he was so convincing as a professional killer, hinting at a dark past without giving everything away. Add in a plot that kept me guessing and some great action sequences, and any small flaws were totally overshadowed. If you’re looking for an action thriller that does something a little different with a classic setup, you absolutely need to check this one out!

According to Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter, Memory of a Killer becomes overly comedic too soon. He feels that despite being known as a handsome leading man, Kevin Costner’s character isn’t convincing as a killer. Fienberg also notes that the show seems to have been toned down for television, making it less engaging than it could have been. He then shared his full review.

It’s easy to understand why earlier versions of De Zaak Alzheimer were made as movies. The tension created by the character’s declining health – something usually just used as a plot device and feeling a little unsettling – combined with the mystery of their secret criminal life, doesn’t naturally lend itself to a long-running story. A two-hour film? Absolutely. A limited series on a platform like HBO or FX, with six to eight episodes? Maybe, if the writing is very careful. But a daily broadcast show where language, intimacy, and violence have to be heavily toned down? Definitely not.

According to Brian Tallerico at RogerEbert.com, the show doesn’t spend much time developing Angelo as a character, only establishing him as an assassin, a father, and a patient. Tallerico also believes the problems with the first two episodes are unlikely to be resolved later in the series.

These episodes suffer from noticeable laziness and fundamental flaws that seem difficult to fix. The writing feels uninspired, with awkward conversations and character descriptions that don’t add much depth. While the first episode looks good, the rest are surprisingly bland. One scene, a shootout by a pool, is particularly poorly edited, almost as if the filmmakers were trying to cover up a lack of usable footage.

Keith Phipps from TV Guide gave the new Fox series a middling rating of 6.4 out of 10. He found the show to be quick-moving and well-produced, with a good cast, but felt its handling of the delicate topic of dementia was somewhat uncertain in the first two episodes. As Phipps put it…

So far, ‘Memory of a Killer’ is an enjoyable show, but it hasn’t really stood out as a must-watch despite its interesting idea. Dempsey is doing a good job as the lead, though the first two episodes haven’t given him much chance to showcase his range. Imperioli and Richard Harmon (as Joe, Dutch’s nephew) both offer strong supporting performances, and it’s great to see Gina Torres appear in the second episode.

Critics are generally positive about Memory of a Killer, though some question how sustainable the story will be long-term. As a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, I’m excited to see Patrick Dempsey return to network television. You can watch the trailer below.

Watch the two-part premiere on Fox – it begins Sunday, January 25th, at 9 p.m. ET, right after the NFC Championship game, and continues Monday, January 26th, also at 9 p.m. ET. If you miss it, both episodes will be available to stream on Hulu starting the next day.

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2026-01-26 04:09