Creators:
Issa LópezDirected by:
Issa LópezCinematography:
Florian HoffmeisterComposer:
Vincent PopeCast:
Jodie Foster, Kali Reis, Fiona Shaw, John Hawkes, Christopher Eccleston, Anna Lambe, Isabella LaBlanc, Joel Montgrand, Þorsteinn Bachmann (more)VOD (3)
Episodes(6)
Plots(1)
When the long winter night falls in Ennis, Alaska, the eight men who operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station vanish without a trace. To solve the case, Detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) will have to confront the darkness they carry in themselves, and dig into the haunted truths that lie buried under the eternal ice. (HBO Max)
(more)Reviews (6)
I wonder if the first wave of reviewers, who before the broadcast were shouting in unison (in retrospect) raving lines about the best True Detective season, were just getting drunk on a roll (the impression of exclusivity of being the first to see it) or if they got a proper reward from the studio. Most likely, HBO did a good job of calculating who they could exclusively show it to in order to get the desired response. I guess it wasn't exactly hard – after the final episode, it seems that the biggest focus was on hanging all the progressive themes on the "plot" that "journalists" automatically give points for. So there's a dominant protagonist (and it doesn't matter that she's extremely unlikeable), strongly represented minorities (and it doesn't matter that Kali Reis isn't up to the acting), environmental themes and positively framed terrorist activists, or a supposed Inuit mystique consisting of occasional esoteric bollocks and wandering digital beasts. I'd a hundred times rather watch a progressive thing than a conservative thing myself, but it annoys me to no end that someone thinks it will be enough on its own. Make a damn good crime drama in the first place. For five episodes I tolerated Night Country as an annoyingly drawn-out but – perhaps – average crime drama, but I found the finale a mockery. It was stupid on so many levels! I burst out laughing out loud at the flashback reconstruction of what actually happened at the base.
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Hypnotic journey into the endless plains of ice, where every turn, road or cover is much darker, not only because darkness has settled in for a long time. I appreciate that the dead sign comes to life with a drastic twist when a new creator comes along and thankfully completely changes the form that was dangerously falling asleep last time. I would ask all the zealots who are so thoroughly shocked by the fact that Noční krajina is attached to the True Detective brand, what the Arkansas case was five years ago or who could have been responsible for what. The Alaskan anabasis is something that can be compared to a classic detective story embellished with modern editing and subthemes. The case intertwines with the situation in society and the relationships of people from different communities, but never at the expense of tension. Every dialogue is interspersed with a thrilling insert or surprising twist, as befits the genre the most. Although the original creator Nic Pizzolatto reluctantly comes to terms with it, Issa López has found a new direction for the series, stirring up the waters and dividing the audience, but I am satisfied. Not only because the end of the world, where people flee from their problems and let them freeze under the ice, is a very enticing place for me, but also because of the (this time within the anthology completely as usual) brilliantly selected and lifelike ensemble.
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My commentary should start with something positive. I've been thinking for a long time about what I could say that would please Issa López, that I could give the show a thumbs up, but I couldn't do it. Yet I figured it out. The length. The modest six episodes saved the audience from more nonsensical screenwriting lapses, prevented us from spending more time with poorly written, untrustworthy characters, and prevented us from marveling at logical acrobatics in the plot. With a standard eight-episode length, I might have gone for just one star. If True Detective was exceptional in something, it was Nic Pizzolatto's screenwriting art, which was behind the previous seasons. The difference is overwhelming. The third season was marked by average direction, but Pizzolatto's influence saved the series from disaster. Issa López is a below-average screenwriter, but as a director, she knows what to serve to the audience so they don't feel bored, so she uses what she has seen elsewhere and is convinced it works. As viewers, you could play a game that she gathered inspiration from everywhere. For a moment, you feel like you are at Carpenter's scientific base from The Thing, for a while you face Nordic demons from The Terror series, and I could go on. Pizzolatto played with the audience, but it was a sophisticated game, while Issa López slides into cheap tricks to keep the audience's attention. The acting is average, as Jodie Foster struggles with her character, going directly against her acting type. I would consider the final resolution more of a disrespectful joke at the audience's expense. If you don't think too much about the plot, then the series deserves two stars. Overall impression: 40%.
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The writing is two levels worse than Pizzolatto. The unsatisfying ending and the stilted linking with the first series are actually more distracting than enjoyable. The creepy atmosphere is solid as well, and the final reveal is quite original. Unfortunately a lot of the motifs are just for show and have no justification other than to create that creepy atmosphere. Too bad. An environmental point driven to awkwardness the moment the creators decide not to reveal what was the cool thing the guys actually found there. Jodie Foster plays an unlikeable wannabe badass, Kali Reis is pretty cool, but those face piercings probably didn’t feel too nice in the freezing cold. The family relationships and trauma were almost useless, and if Night Country had been a movie unrelated to True Detective, they would have done better. I think I'll put Matthew and Woody back on to fix my appetite.
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It is a pity about the rushed ending, which for example escalated the relationship between the Prior father and son too much for my taste and almost took the other characters (Danvers' daughter, the mysterious Rose) too far. Otherwise, I really enjoyed Night Country, and I'm not just talking about the fantastic atmosphere and the captivating cinematography, but especially the performances of Jodie Foster and Kali Reis. The combination of crime and mystery worked well, I can't imagine a more appropriate setting for such a case.
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Honestly, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry after reading the reviews here. Yes, the fourth season is probably the weakest addition to the True Detective saga. On the other hand… giving it a Boo! rating? Seriously, people? A bit of common sense would be appreciated. Night Country still has certain production qualities. Firstly, it has top-notch audiovisuals that meet the highest standards. The snowy Alaskan setting (well, Iceland actually :D) certainly helps. Second, the actors… Say what you will, but Jodie Foster isn’t ready for retirement yet. And John Hawkes in a supporting role was also a delight. Otherwise, I quite liked the story, although it’s a pity that the main plot sometimes takes a backseat to unnecessary subplots (that was quite frustrating). I also enjoyed the mysterious atmosphere, even though it became a bit overwhelming at times. Fortunately, the creators handled it well and provided us with a rational explanation. All in all… It won’t blow you away, but as a decent crime drama, it serves its purpose. I give it a 6/10.
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