Mindhunter

A very intriguing series that doesn’t hold back and, in some dialogues, might make you feel nauseous. The show focuses on conversations with criminals who committed real evil, so you know these horrifying things actually happened. Fincher is a perfectionist in every aspect; you won’t find action here, but you will get a fantastic script that throws one intense line after another at the viewer. The build-up of the series is really commendable; the last few episodes had me glued to the couch. Jonathan Groff didn’t initially win me over with his performance, but as the series neared its end, his casting started to make more sense. Holt McCallany, on the other hand, was more than just a decent sidekick. As mentioned, the conversations between the detective and the convicted often terrified me with their naturalistic portrayal; the way these criminals described various heinous acts as if it were nothing... strong stuff. There were a few weaker moments (especially the main character's girlfriend drove me to frustration), but overall, it’s a great dialogue-driven series with powerful moments. I give it 85%. (03/16/2019)

The second season was a bit better than the first. In terms of overwhelming atmosphere and brilliantly written characters, hardly any crime film from Hollywood comes close to this gem. David Fincher truly reigns supreme in this field and loudly announces it to the world. The return of the main acting duo was a delight; they complement each other perfectly, and you can enjoy their dialogues from the comfort of your seat. Particularly, the depth of Holt McCallany's character elevated the second season to the top, with his subplot involving his son being emotionally devastating at times. Fincher focused mainly on the Atlanta murders, which are the core of the plot. It was quite engaging, especially with its absolutely stunning ending in the final episode (the main suspect seemed to steal this epilogue just for himself), but I was even more captivated by the smaller stories. For instance, the 10-minute appearance of Charles Manson on screen (episode 5) resonated with me for quite a while; it was such a brilliantly scripted moment that I simply tip my hat. If Netflix decides to end this series, it would greatly disappoint me (and probably others as well), as such a precise work isn’t seen every day. I give it 90%. (07/20/2020)