Jäger - Tödliche Gier

Jägarna, the Swedish crime series based on the cult 1996 film, returns with a dark, atmospheric charm and a gripping sense of storytelling. Set in the remote north of Sweden, the show follows retired detective Erik Bäckström, played with great strength by Rolf Lassgård, who returns home only to get caught up in a local mystery involving harassment, vandalism, and eventually murder.

The pace is steady, reflecting the calm of the Norrland setting, but the story never drags. From the first episode, it pulls you in with solid writing, clear direction, and a raw visual style. The cold, moody cinematography adds to the tense feeling throughout, even if the plot doesn't always surprise.

Lassgård is brilliant in the lead role - he gives Erik a believable mix of authority and sadness. He's the type of character you trust, even if he doesn't always follow the rules. Supporting performances from Pelle Heikkilä as a shady businessman, Johan Marenius Nordahl as a young trainee, and Johannes Kuhnke as an unstable officer are good too and help round out a mostly well-cast series. One downside is the lack of female presence; the women in the show - though played by talented actresses - are mostly side characters like mothers or girlfriends, and none take centre stage.

Series one is gripping, although a bit frustrating at times due to some odd decisions made by the characters. Series two, unfortunately, drops in quality: some scenes take you out of the story completely and many of the characters become hard to like. Still, there's something compelling about Erik's quiet determination that keeps you watching.

In the end, Jägarna may not be like many modern thrillers (particularly Scandinavian ones), but it is a return to classic storytelling - slow-burning, emotional, and rough around the edges. Despite a weaker second season, the Series remains likely a thoughtful and enjoyable watch for fans of Nordic Noir and Lassgård.

Love it,same style as the movies..very very good tv show and rolf lassgård is awsome like always

An exceptional series. What confuses the assessment is that we are now accustomed to very fluid and constantly moving camera movements, post-production of lighting and permanent effects. But in Jägarna, none of that.

We return to the classic thriller, to the thriller of 15 or 20 years ago, and that's where it's strong: everything depends on both the interpretation (the performance of the actors and actresses) and the scenario . And here, the scenario is absolutely out of the ordinary as the writing is of great mastery and the narration is very tight. There is not an extra scene, not a useless moment, not a second where we are bored.

So, it is certainly too classic to please people dependent on visual overkill, but Jägarna remains a work of art and a demonstration of efficiency which will delight fans of the genre.

I watched it all but was bitterly disappointed. Season One was just about OK, but Season Two was just a farrago of nonsense. And honestly? I'm getting a bit fed up with Rolf Laasgard who plays Erik Bäckström and who is so typecast he doesn't bring anything new to any role he takes now.

Here he is once more, the lonely maverick who is convinced he's right and everyone is wrong. It doesn't matter that he IS right; the problem is that it's absurd that in the face of the clearest of evidence everyone else is on the wrong trail.

I'm going to talk mainly about he second season in this review as it's the one freshest in my mind.

The stubbornness of his nephew Peter, in particular, is unconvincing and the hatred of the rest of the small town is overblown as is the behaviour of the putative murderer. It's clear in episode three who the baddies really are. That the ending is contrived in such a way that the town can continue in its slumbers and prejudices seems to be a total cop out. I don't believe for a second in the decision that Bäckström took regarding his nephew. That such an upstanding and dedicated warrior for truth and justice took the course that he did when Internal Affairs intervened is simply not possible having regard to his character and personality. In any case, there were witnesses outside the police force who could have contradicted his version of events, upstanding members of the public.

But wait! There's an epilogue. And here only an oldie like me is going to understand what I am talking about. Who remembers Perry Mason played by Raymond Burr? Well, at the end of each episode Perry would demolish the DA's case so convincingly that someone in the audience in the courtroom would always be moved to cry out, so forceful and piercing were the words of that famous defence attorney, "I did it" and then proceed to explain why. Bäckström must have been reading up on this old series, or at least the scriptwriters were, because that's exactly what happens here except it is done in a bar amongst a load of drunks. This isn't a spoiler because we know from the beginning that the accused isn't the guilty one. It's utterly ridiculous.

OK, as it was Swedish, I watched till the end therefore three stars. No way is it worth more.

I see there's very few reviews, and one numpty left a series review after only 3 episodes. Meh. This show is fantastic. So much so I am stoked they are making a second season. I won't give anything away, but trust me, this is compelling. Bravo.