Feed the Beast
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Edgy U.S. adaptation is predictably entertaining, violent.
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Feed the Beast
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Based on 1 parent review
Entertaining and suspenseful
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What's the Story?
FEED THE BEAST is an American adaptation of the popular Danish series Bankerot produced by Dexter creator Clyde Phillips. It stars David Schwimmer and Jim Sturgess as Tommy Moran and Dion Patras, best friends with troubled lives who dream of opening a restaurant together. When Moran, a sommelier, struggles to cope with the death of his wife, Rie (Christine Adams), and the loss of his job, he finds himself turning to alcohol while continuing to raise his son, T.J. (Elijah Jacob). Meanwhile, Patras, a gifted chef, continues to struggle with the law while trying to avoid Polish gangster Patrick Woijchik (Michael Gladis), aka the Tooth Fairy, to whom he owes money. As they try to launch a restaurant in the Bronx, they figure out how to work with the mob, negotiate with corrupt officials, and wrestle with love interests and racist family members. But it's often their own personal demons that pose the hardest challenges.
Is It Any Good?
The series combines bittersweet moments and complicated, flawed main characters to create a darkly entertaining show. Although the overall narrative is predictable, each episode features its own array of mishaps that must be dealt with as they navigate through the corrupt restaurant underworld.
The problems Moran and Patras confront are foreseeable. But it's their close, loyal relationship that offers just enough emotional depth to keep you invested in their troubled world. If you have a taste for the edgy and imperfect, this series may work for you.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the work that goes into running a restaurant. What kinds of things do you need to know before going into it? Do you think TV representations of mobsters and government corruption are accurate? Or is this played up for entertainment purposes?
Television shows and films often portray characters who are not "all good" or "all bad." How are audiences supposed to feel about them? It is appropriate to like characters who engage in all sorts of negative or risky behaviors?
What are the challenges that come with adapting a TV show from another country for American audiences? How far can one go to adapt a show without sacrificing the story or its characters? How does one handle things that can be shown in other countries that aren't allowed in the United States?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 5, 2016
- Cast: David Schwimmer, Jim Sturgess, Michael Gladis
- Network: AMC
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: June 2, 2023
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