From the creator of Knives Out, Rian Johnson’s Poker Face follows casino cocktail waitress Charlie Cale as she hits the road in her Plymouth Barracuda and encounters murder after murder. While she doesn’t have the training of a police detective, her preternatural ability to tell when someone is lying makes for a formidable amateur investigator.
The show bucks some conventions, but most of the time it sticks pretty close to procedural crime drama tropes. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; in fact, it helps Poker Face find its footing as a unique and entertaining series that’s unlike anything else on television. It also gives you a chance to get to know the actors as they work to develop their characters in a style that’s very different from what most of us are used to seeing.
A trembling hand, an itch on the cheek or a diverting gaze can all give away your game when you’re playing poker. That’s why so many players spend time practicing their poker faces in front of a mirror. Some experts even recommend experimenting with movement routines, such as how you reach for and place chips or where you keep your hands when they’re not being used. Others recommend finding a partner who can give you feedback on how you present yourself at the table and use that knowledge to help you improve your poker face.
It’s no secret that the world of poker is full of fascinating and strange personalities. But one of the best parts about watching the game is seeing how these people can make a game of poker so much more interesting with just a little bit of subtlety and flair. Some of these personalities are downright shady, while others are a whole lot more pleasant than you might expect.
If you enjoyed Poker Face, you might like these other procedural dramas. Criminal Minds has gotten a bad rap in recent years, but it’s still a riveting look at how police investigators use psychological tactics to dig up the truth from suspects. It also allows you to see how the minds of some of today’s most dangerous criminals are shaped by their experiences and backgrounds.
Another great procedural is Quantico, which has a similar premise to Poker Face in that it follows FBI behavioral profilers who try to understand the motivations behind their suspects’ behavior. While the show’s cast isn’t quite as strong as its cast on Poker Face, it still features plenty of high-profile stars and delivers a lot of entertainment value.
Another great option is the recently rebooted Columbo. While it may not be as subtle or charming as its predecessor, it has the advantage of being able to play to streaming’s appetite for episodic content and a formula that Columbo popularized back in the day. It’s not an easy show to binge, however: Peacock releases episodes weekly rather than all at once. This makes the show feel a bit repetitive when you’re watching episodes in a row, especially as each one is self-contained.