Prime Video’sCrossis the latest adaptation of the hit thriller novels, but just how different is the series from the original Morgan Freeman movies?Prime’sCrosscastAldis Hodge as the title character, who is seemingly doomed to chase down endlessly creative serial killers. Whilethe James Patterson booksalso received a movie adaptation with 2012’sAlex Cross(starring Tyler Perry), the Morgan Freeman movies are by far the most famous adaptations.
Freeman fronted bothKiss the GirlsandAlong Came a Spider, which adapted the first two Patterson novels. AnAlex Crossfranchise felt like a natural move for Freeman afterSe7en’ssuccess, but the reception toAlong Came a Spidersaw him move on from the character. It’s over 20 years since Freeman last played the character andtheCrossTV series is a total reinvention of the franchise for a new audience.
8The Morgan Freeman Alex Cross Movies Actually Adapted The Books
Prime’s Cross combined the book’s characters with an original storyline
The most notable difference between the Freeman and Hodge versions of Alex Cross is that the film fully embraced the source material. In aTVLineinterview,Crossshowrunner Ben Watkins explained that when trying to decide which book to adapt, he instead decided it would be more interesting to take the characters and drop them into a new story. This is an odd tactic considering the novels are bestsellers and there are over 30 to choose from, but the show has been a success regardless.
1997
34%
2001
32%
2012
11%
2024
76%
WhileKiss the GirlsandAlong Came a Spiderpulled directly from their respective novels, they took some liberties.Kiss the Girlsgreatly toned down the violence and darkness of the source text, while its sequel was critiqued for its many deviations from Patterson’s work. This includes killing off serial killer Gary Soneji (Michael Wincott), who was a recurring antagonist in the books and was far more complex villain than the film portrayed.
7Morgan Freeman’s Alex Cross Is Much Older
Freeman was around 60 when he starred in Kiss the Girls
InCross, Hodge is depicted as a family man in his mid to late 30s, which lines up with the character introduced in the original novel,Along Came a Spider(1993).Kiss the Girlshad to add more years for Cross to match Morgan Freeman’s own age, with the actor being around 60when the thriller was shot. While Freeman’s Cross gets into some chases and the occasional shootout, he’s more cerebral than physical.
… Morgan Freeman’s Cross is so burned out with his job in Along Came a Spider that he’s essentially retired when it opens.
In fact, Cross is so burned out with his job inAlong Came a Spiderthat he’s essentially retired when the sequel opens, before being dragged into another case.Hodge’s Cross is a blend of both intellectandbrawn, being able to quickly read suspects and parse clues - while being totally willing to kick down doors and point guns. In short, he’s nowhere near retiring, asthe upcomingCrossseason 2should prove.
6Cross' Family Are Sidelined In The Morgan Freeman Movies
Cross rides solo for most of the Morgan Freeman films
In the PattersonAlex Crossnovels, the title character’s family plays an important part.Crossfollows this template, with his grandmother Nana Mama (Juanita Jennings) having a major supporting role, while his piano prodigy son Damon (Caleb Elijah) and daughter Janelle (Melody Hurd) get subplots of their own.The Morgan Freeman duology takes the opposite approach because whileKiss the Girlsinvolves him trying to rescue his kidnapped niece, his family barely appearsin either of the films.
Cross Season 1 Subtly Sets Up The Books' Biggest Villain & Already Made The Twist Reveal So Much Worse
Cross season 1 has subtly teased the arrival of a book villain, which has interestingly made the original twist reveal worse in more ways than one.
Kiss the Girlsfeatures a scene where Alex comforts Naomi’s mother after hearing of her kidnapping and other family members like Nana Cross (Helen Martin) and Janelle (Tatyana Ali) appear, but that’s about it.There is no mention of Freeman’s Cross being married, and son Damon doesn’t appear to existin the film universe. Instead, the Freeman films tend to pair Cross with a female partner (Ashley Judd inKiss the Girlsand Monica Potter inAlong Came a Spider) while also making him something of a loner in his personal life.
5Prime Video’s Cross Is More Violent Than The Movies
The Morgan Freeman Alex Cross movies are downright tame by modern standards
Se7enchanged the game for serial killer movies, both in terms of visuals and how graphic they could be. In the years since the likes ofCriminal MindsandHannibalhave only dialed up the violence, but the Freeman movies are dialed down in this area.Both films refrain from overt gore or graphic violence, though they have a few brutal moments between them. Instead, the horror is often implied and understated. Prime Video’sCrossis more in line with modern tastes, however.
… Cross is far more intense than the Morgan Freeman movies ever were.
From the second episode featuring a woman being brutally beaten, toThe Fanboy Killer/Ed Ramseychiseling the teeth from a victim’s mouth, the show has no trouble cranking up the blood. That’s not to say it goes over the top - after all, it would be hard to beatHannibalin the gore department - but it’s far more intense than the Freeman series ever was.
4Morgan Freeman’s Alex Cross Lacks “Detective Vision”
Aldis Hodge’s version occasionally slips into “Cross Mode”
A big stylistic choiceCrossmakes involves Hodge’s character entering “Detective Vision” at least once per episode. This will see him thinking over a specific piece of evidence or phrase, and trying to crack the next big clue in the case.“Detective Vision” happens often enough that his colleagues even joke about it, with Cross zoning out during a briefing while turning information over in his mind. This feels a little like Hugh Dancy’s Will Graham inHannibal, thoughCrossdoesn’t depict it as a borderline superpower.
Freeman’s Alex Cross is utterly lacking Hodge’s ability too. There are many scenes of him silently scanning photos and evidence, but audiences aren’t invited into his thought process in the same way. That’s not to say his brainisn’tprocessing the clues in a similar fashion, but in keeping with the more grounded feel of the Freeman double bill, it’s done more subtly.
3Cross' Partner John Sampson Is Reduced To A Supporting Role
Isaiah Mustafa’s Sampson adds more (old) spice to Cross
Detective John Sampson is a major player in the books too, with he and Alex sharing a sibling-like bond since they were basically raised together. The character has appeared in the majority of the novels, so it made sense for him to play a big part inCrosstoo.Isaiah Mustafa plays Sampson, often stealing scenesand while he and Cross pal around, he also gives Alex tough love whenever he needs to hear it. Of the threeAlex Crossmovies - including the lambasted 2012 reboot - Sampson only previously appeared inKiss the Girls.
Bill Nunn’s Sampson doesn’t get much screen time inKiss the Girls, and when the stakeout is botched, he disappears from the story.
The late, great Bill Nunn (Do the Right Thing) played Sampson in the 1997 thriller, who is the first to tell Cross of Naomi’s kidnapping. He also takes part in a stakeout to help Alex, but their dynamic is downplayed from the books. Sampson doesn’t get much screen time inKiss the Girls, and when the stakeout is botched, he disappears from the story. By the timeAlong Came a Spiderarrived, Cross had a different, very short-lived partner and no reference is made of Sampson.
Aldis Hodge’s Alex has a far more active love life
One of the best elements ofCrossis the way it examines the main character’s grief over the murder of his wife, Maria (Chaunteé Schuler Irving). The impact of her death on him and his family - plus his refusal to seek counseling - plays a major part of his arc in season 1. So too does his burgeoning romance with Elle (Samantha Walkes), though their budding relationship gets derailed a few times.Hodge’s Cross has an extremely active love life when contrasted with his movie counterparttoo.
Freeman’s Alex Cross has no love interests to speak of, withAlong Came a Spidereven dropping the romance that develops between him and Secret Service Agent Jezziefrom the book. No mention is made of Maria or Cross even having been married, so his work appears to be his sole passion in life. In the same way the films pushed Sampson and Cross' family to one side, they’re also utterly uninterested in the detective’s private life.
1Morgan Freeman’s Alex Cross Is Far More Mellow Than Aldis Hodge’s Take
Hodge’s Alex Cross carries simmering rage in many scenes
In interviews, Hodge has underlined that he hasn’t seen either the Morgan Freeman or Tyler Perry movies - which is a smart choice. This allows him to craft a take on the character separate from what other performers have tried, and since the tones ofCrossand the other films are quite different, it was best to have a clean slate.The most striking difference between Freeman and Hodge is how on the surface the latter’s emotions areat all times.
Every Real-Life Serial Killer Referenced By The Fanboy Killer In Cross Season 1
The Fanboy Killer in Amazon Prime Video’s Cross draws references to several renowned real-life serial killers, showing his twisted devotion to them.
He’s quick to anger and frustration, especially when called out on his actions.Hodge’s character is a total of 180 from Freeman’s Alex Cross, who is rarely upsetor even rattled. In keeping with the veteran performer’s style, his take is often cooly detached from events - even though viewers know his true feelings are running deep. It’s just a more mellow, movie star take on the material, but Hodge really digs into how frayedCrossis becoming, and his constant struggle to balance his job, family and grief all at once.
Cross
Cast
Cross follows the life of Alex Cross, a skilled yet troubled homicide detective balancing his role as a devoted father and relentless crime investigator. Haunted by his wife’s murder, he navigates personal turmoil while persistently pursuing justice in the face of dangerous adversaries.
Kiss the Girls
Kiss the Girls is a crime thriller directed by Gary Fleder and based on James Patterson’s novel. It stars Morgan Freeman as forensic psychologist Alex Cross, who teams up with Dr. Kate McTiernan, played by Ashley Judd, to track down a serial kidnapper. The film delves into suspenseful investigations and dramatic rescues, offering a gripping narrative on the hunt for a cunning criminal.
Along Came a Spider
Along Came a Spider follows detective and author Alex Cross, who is drawn out of retirement to investigate the kidnapping of a senator’s daughter. Partnered with a Secret Service agent, Cross unravels a complex web of clues revealing the kidnapper’s motives extend beyond ransom.
Alex Cross
The Alex Cross franchise, created by James Patterson, centers on Dr. Alex Cross, an African-American psychologist and detective in Washington, D.C. The series blends crime, mystery, and thriller elements, following Cross as he tackles complex cases while balancing his personal life. Since its inception in 1993, the franchise has expanded into novels, films, and an upcoming television series.
