MGM+ is making a play for crime drama supremacy with its latest series, The Westies, a gritty tale set in 1980s Hell's Kitchen. Co-created by Chris Brancato (Narcos) and Michael Panes (Godfather of Harlem), the show boasts an impressive cast led by Oscar winner J.K. Simmons and Titus Welliver, best known for his iconic role in Bosch. But while the series has all the ingredients for a classic gangster saga, it's Welliver who emerges as the clear standout.
A Familiar Story in a Well-Worn Setting
The Westies follows the titular Irish-American gang, led by Eamon Sweeney (Simmons), a businessman who secures a lucrative stake in the construction of the Javits Center. The gang's uneasy relationship with the Italian mafia, particularly mob boss John Gotti (Hamish Allan-Headley), fuels much of the tension. The plot also weaves in the personal struggles of Jimmy Rourke (Tom Brittney), a loyal Westie, and his troubled friend Mickey Flanagan (Stanley Morgan), a Vietnam War veteran recently released from a mental institution.
While the narrative is competently executed, it doesn't break new ground. Lies, betrayals, and violent confrontations are par for the course, and the show leans heavily on archetypes rather than fully fleshed-out characters. However, the cast's charisma helps paper over the cracks. Brittney brings a moral compass to Jimmy, and Simmons delivers a performance that feels effortless, if not particularly challenging. The real depth, however, comes from Welliver's character, Glenn Keenan, a police informant whose estranged son is drawn into the Westies' orbit.
Welliver's Nuanced Performance Steals the Spotlight
Welliver's Glenn Keenan is a man caught between two worlds—the police force and the criminal underworld—and his personal arc is the most compelling part of the series. Dealing with a troubled son, an inferiority complex, and shifting loyalties, Keenan undergoes a subtle transformation that Welliver portrays with remarkable restraint. His stiffness and indifference gradually give way to vulnerability, making his storyline the emotional core of the show. It's a shame that Simmons, Brittney, and Sarah Bolger (as Bridget) aren't given the same depth.
Bolger's character, in particular, feels shoehorned into a subplot about Irish independence that seems out of place in a narrative dominated by ruthless criminals. Meanwhile, the show's visual style is serviceable but uninspired, with a grayish palette that plagues many streaming productions. The fight scenes, however, are a highlight—raw and messy, they immerse viewers in the Westies' street-fighting style.
A Solid but Unambitious Crime Drama
The Westies doesn't aim to reinvent the genre, and it's all the more predictable for it. If you're a fan of traditional crime tales with tough men doing bad things, you'll likely enjoy the ride. But for those craving more bite, the series may leave you wanting. Still, with plans for a second season already in motion, there's room for growth. For now, Welliver's performance is reason enough to tune in.
For more crime drama recommendations, check out Russell Crowe's Must-See Crime Thriller 'The Get Out' Is Now on Prime Video and The Best Action Scenes from Crime Movies, Ranked: From Shootouts to Car Chases.
