The moment Rachel Hilson's FBI agent snarls, “I may be the enemy in your eyes, but what matters is taking him down,” you can almost smell the gasoline and bad decisions. J.J. Abrams' Duster isn't just a return to form for Bad Robot—it's a full-throttle dive into '70s crime chaos, complete with screeching tires, double-crosses, and Keith David's inevitable scene-stealing glare. But here's the real question: In an era drowning in retro reboots, does Duster have the horsepower to stand out?
The Unexpected Take:
Most period crime dramas fetishize the past like a vinyl collector hoarding rare pressings. Duster's trailer, though, suggests something messier—and more interesting. Instead of romanticizing the '70s, it weaponizes the era's grit. The Southwest setting isn't just backdrop; it's a character, all sun-bleached desperation and rattlesnake tension. And Hilson's FBI agent—the first Black woman in the role, per the trailer's boast—isn't a righteous hero. She's an outsider playing a dangerous game with Josh Holloway's getaway driver, whose loyalty shifts like a loose gearstick.
The Abrams Factor
Abrams' last TV venture, Demimonde, collapsed faster than a stunt car hitting a dirt mound. But Duster feels like a course correction—smaller in scale, leaner in premise. Co-creator LaToya Morgan (The Walking Dead, Into the Badlands) brings a knack for morally murky storytelling, and the supporting cast (Sydney Elisabeth! Greg Grunberg!) hints at the ensemble depth Abrams' projects often nail.
Yet, the trailer's breakneck edits and smoky bar fights echo familiar beats: Drive meets The Nice Guys, with a dash of Justified's desert-noir swagger. The risk? Duster could skid into pastiche. But if it balances its homage with fresh twists (like Hilson's agent flipping the “lone wolf” trope), it might just outrun the nostalgia trap.
Duster premieres May 15 on Max. Buckle up—or get left in the dust. Will you ride shotgun, or wait for the reviews?
