HBO Max’s crime thriller showDusterhas one of the best Rotten Tomatoes scores of any newly released series of 2025, which is just one of the reasons you should check it out. Developed by J.J. Abrams (Lost,Star Trek) and LaToya Morgan (The Walking Dead,Shameless), Duster combines 1970s vintage sound, old-school muscle, and a fresh FBI conspiracy mystery that features many twists and turns. Josh Holloway, who famously worked with Abrams as Sawyer on Lost, leads thecast ofDusteras the cool-as-ice getaway driver Jim Ellis. New episodes release every Thursday on HBO Max.
Dusteris the first original TV show developed byJ.J. Abrams, who is also credited with creating the opening title theme music, since 2008’s sci-fi mystery seriesFringe, which ended in 2013. Since then, Abrams has only written screenplays for two modernStar Warsfilms,The Force AwakensandThe Rise of Skywalker.His co-creator, Morgan, rose to prominence as the executive story editor on the 2014 period dramaTURN: Washington’s Spies. Duster also has a fantastic ensemble cast featuring performances by Rachel Hilson, Camille Guaty, Evan Jones, Keith David, and Corbin Bernsen.
Max’s Duster Show Is The New Crime Drama Worth Watching - What The Show Is About
Josh Hollway Stars As The Effortlessly Cool 1970s Driver Jim Ellis
Dusteris likely the frontrunner for best 2025 shows you either aren’t watching or have never heard about. Jim Ellis is an effortlessly cool driver with asweet 1970 cherry red Plymouth Duster, which he rides for the so-called “Al Capone of the Southwest,” Ezra Saxton (played by Keith David).Jim lives and works in and around the Phoenix, Arizona area,back in the early 1970s, where payphones and snail mail were the only forms of long-distance communication.Dusteris a full-blown blast from the past that has the look, the style, and the music to back it up, making it an intoxicatingly fun and wild ride.
Duster is a full-blown blast from the past that has the look, the style, and the music to back it up, making it an intoxicatingly fun and wild ride.
Jim strikes a deal with a green FBI agent named Nina Hayes, played by an infectious Rachel Hilson.Hayes is the first black female FBI agentin the Bureau’s history, loosely based on Sylvia Mathis, the FBI’s first real-life agent. Jim only agrees to be Nina’s informant because she suspects that Ezra Saxton killedJim’s brother, Joey, and made it seem like an accident. Once Nina shows Jim a surveillance video suggesting that Saxton killed Joey, he signs on to be an FBI informant. As the series continues,Nina digs deep into an FBI conspiracy involving the agent who previously handled Saxton’s case, while Jim finds himself in various sticky situations.
Why Duster’s Reviews Are So Good
The Show Has A Certified Fresh 92% Rotten Tomatoes Score
Dusterearned a 92%Rotten Tomatoesscore, with most critics agreeing that the J.J. Abrams series is an enjoyable watch witha great cast and an authentic, immersive throwback setting. In my review forScreen Rant, I noted, “As demonstrated in many a Duster scene, Jim is your perfect road companion and drinking buddy who’s as serious about his business as he is about having a good time.”
Additionally,Jim and Nina combine for a great yet unlikely buddy-cop pairthat makes them fun to watch no matter what the situation may be. “Jim and Nina are clever, engaging, and classically designed with loads of widespread appeal. They’re the type of breezy yet admirable characters you’d be willing to hop in the backseat no matter the destination.”
Other TV critics also noted some of the other strengths of a show likeDuster, which will release its season 1 finale on June 13, 2025.Varietywrites in theirDusterreview, “Duster isn’t perfect, but its swag and stellar acting keep it fairly engaging, especially when it reaches its conclusion.“Colliderwrites, “While Duster is undeniably a showcase for everything Holloway already does best, Abrams and Morgan’s ’70s crime thriller also succeeds at being a wildly fun ride.” Ultimately, there are many reasons why free-spiritedDusteris worth a watch, especially as summer arrives.
