Netflix’s Sneaky Pete, a crime drama with a near-perfect 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, has taken the streaming world by storm since its addition to the platform in July 2025. Originally a Prime Video original from 2015 to 2019, this gripping series, co-created by Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston and House’s David Shore, delivers a masterclass in deception, betrayal, and high-stakes cons. Starring Giovanni Ribisi, known for his role as Phoebe’s quirky brother Frank Buffay Jr. in Friends, as the cunning conman Marius Josipović, Sneaky Pete weaves a dark and twisted tale that leaves viewers questioning everyone’s motives—including their own. With three seasons of relentless suspense, the show’s intricate plotting and stellar cast, including Margo Martindale and Marin Ireland, make it a binge-worthy masterpiece that will have you second-guessing trust itself.

A Conman’s Dangerous Game

Sneaky Pete centers on Marius Josipović, a charismatic and brilliant con artist fresh out of prison, who finds himself hunted by a vicious gangster, Vince Lonigan (Bryan Cranston), whom he once swindled. To escape his past, Marius assumes the identity of his former cellmate, Pete Murphy, a man estranged from his family for over two decades. Armed with Pete’s life story, Marius ingratiates himself with the Murphy family in Bridgeport, Connecticut, posing as their long-lost cousin. The family, led by the sharp-witted Audrey (Margo Martindale) and Otto Bernhardt (Peter Gerety), runs a bail bonds business, offering Marius the perfect cover to lay low and plan his next move.

However, the Murphys are no ordinary family. Beneath their warm exterior lies a web of secrets, lies, and criminal connections that rival the dangers Marius is fleeing. As he navigates this new world, Marius must maintain his facade while dodging Vince’s relentless pursuit and juggling the family’s own schemes. The show’s tagline, “He’s lying to everyone—even himself,” captures Marius’s spiraling descent into a life where every truth is a gamble, and every relationship is a potential trap. The series’ three seasons, each with 10 episodes, unfold with breakneck pacing, delivering a rollercoaster of cons, betrayals, and shocking twists that keep viewers hooked.

Giovanni Ribisi’s Tour de Force

Giovanni Ribisi, stepping far from his comedic Friends roots, delivers a career-defining performance as Marius. His portrayal is a mesmerizing blend of charm, cunning, and vulnerability, making Marius both a masterful manipulator and a deeply flawed human. Ribisi’s ability to shift seamlessly from a slick conman to a man haunted by his choices anchors the series. In one standout scene, Marius convinces a mark to hand over thousands of dollars with nothing but a smile and a fabricated sob story, only to later unravel in private, his face betraying the toll of his lies. Fans on X have praised Ribisi’s “electric” performance, with one post declaring, “Giovanni Ribisi in Sneaky Pete is a revelation—Frank Buffay could never!”

Ribisi’s chemistry with the ensemble cast elevates the show’s emotional stakes. His interactions with Marin Ireland’s Julia, Pete’s suspicious cousin, crackle with tension, as her sharp instincts threaten to unravel his deception. Libe Barer’s Carly, the family’s whip-smart teenage sister, brings a youthful energy that challenges Marius to confront his moral limits. Shane McRae’s Taylor, a hot-headed local cop, adds another layer of danger, while Margo Martindale’s Audrey steals scenes with her commanding presence as the family matriarch. Martindale, fresh off her acclaimed role in Dexter, imbues Audrey with a mix of warmth and ruthlessness, making her both an ally and a threat to Marius.

A Dark and Twisted World

Sneaky Pete distinguishes itself from other crime thrillers with its blend of dark humor, family drama, and intricate cons, drawing comparisons to Better Call Saul and The Americans. The show’s first season, which boasts a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score, sets the tone with a pilot directed by Seth Gordon that introduces Marius’s high-stakes gamble. Each episode, roughly 45–50 minutes, unfolds like a tightly wound heist, with Marius orchestrating scams—such as forging bail bonds or impersonating a financial advisor—while dodging threats from Vince and the Murphys’ own skeletons.

The series’ darker elements emerge in its unflinching portrayal of deception’s cost. Flashbacks reveal Marius’s troubled past, including his fractured relationship with his brother Eddie (Michael Drayer), who faces dire consequences for Marius’s actions. The Season 1 finale, where Marius’s lies nearly destroy the Murphy family, sets the stage for even higher stakes in Seasons 2 and 3. The latter, with a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, dives into a complex con involving stolen millions and a dangerous new foe, Maggie (Jane Adams), pushing Marius to the brink. The show’s ability to balance humor—often through Marius’s quick-witted banter—with moments of raw tension, like a brutal interrogation scene in Season 2, creates a tone that’s both thrilling and unsettling.

Why You’ll Regret Trusting Anyone

Sneaky Pete’s genius lies in its ability to make viewers complicit in Marius’s schemes. The show lures you into rooting for his cons, only to pull the rug out with devastating reveals. A Season 1 twist, where a trusted ally betrays Marius, leaves audiences questioning their own instincts, while Season 3’s finale delivers a gut-punch that redefines the entire series. Social media reactions on X reflect this impact, with posts like “Sneaky Pete had me trusting NO ONE by the end of S1” and “This show is so twisted, I’m paranoid about my own friends now!” The series’ tagline rings true as Marius’s lies blur the line between truth and fiction, forcing him—and viewers—to confront the cost of self-deception.

The show’s exploration of trust extends to the Murphy family, whose own secrets mirror Marius’s duplicity. Audrey’s hidden past, Julia’s financial schemes, and Carly’s reckless rebellion create a dynamic where no one is fully honest, making every interaction a potential minefield. This layered storytelling, combined with sharp dialogue and unpredictable plotting, ensures that Sneaky Pete keeps you guessing until the final frame.

A Stellar Creative Team

Co-created by Bryan Cranston and David Shore, Sneaky Pete benefits from their expertise in crafting compelling antiheroes. Cranston, who also plays Vince in Season 1, brings a menacing gravitas, while Shore’s knack for character-driven drama, honed on House, infuses the series with emotional depth. Graham Yost, known for Justified, took over as showrunner after Season 1’s pilot, steering the series toward a faster-paced, more intricate narrative. Directors like Michael Dinner and Jon Avnet maintain a gritty aesthetic, with Connecticut’s small-town backdrop contrasting the high-stakes cons. The show’s soundtrack, featuring The Bright Light Social Hour’s “Harder Out Here,” adds a pulsating energy that underscores Marius’s relentless hustle.

The ensemble cast, including recurring players like Malcolm-Jamal Warner as Marius’s parole officer, delivers standout performances. Warner’s recent passing in July 2025 added a bittersweet note for fans, with many on X noting his “vibrant” presence in the series. The show’s ability to juggle a large cast without losing focus is a testament to its tight writing and direction, making every character’s arc integral to the larger story.

A Binge-Worthy Triumph

Sneaky Pete’s arrival on Netflix has reignited interest, with the series climbing to No. 3 on the platform’s U.S. Top 10 list in August 2025. Its 30 episodes, averaging 4.8 million views per week, reflect its addictive quality, with fans praising its “zippy pacing” and “multiplying grifts” that make it perfect for binge-watching. The show’s cancellation by Prime Video in 2019, despite critical acclaim, left fans clamoring for a fourth season, and its Netflix resurgence has fueled petitions for a revival, with one X post stating, “Netflix, give us Sneaky Pete S4—don’t let this masterpiece end!”

The series’ 96% Rotten Tomatoes score and 8.0/10 IMDb rating underscore its critical and audience appeal. Reviewers have lauded its “suspenseful, smart, and terrifically cast” nature, though some note that Season 3’s intensity slightly dips compared to earlier seasons. Still, the show’s ability to keep viewers on edge, with twists like a double-cross in Season 2’s casino heist, ensures it remains a standout in the crime drama genre.

How to Watch and Why It Matters

All three seasons of Sneaky Pete are streaming on Netflix in the U.S. and U.K., as well as Prime Video for those with access. For international viewers, platforms like Stan (Australia) or HBO Max (select European regions) also carry the series. With episodes clocking in at 45–50 minutes, it’s an easy weekend binge, but be warned: its dark, twisted narrative will leave you wary of trusting anyone. Sneaky Pete is more than a crime thriller—it’s a psychological labyrinth that challenges your perceptions and delivers a cast, led by Ribisi, Martindale, and Cranston, at the top of their game. Dive in, but don’t expect to emerge unchanged.