BeneCumb

Raid (2000) is a gritty and uniquely Finnish crime drama that stands out thanks to its strong characters, dark humour, and subtle political themes. At the centre is Kai Lehtinen as Raid - a quiet, tough fixer with a sense of right and wrong. He returns to Helsinki to look into the mysterious death of a woman he once loved. While the basic plot sounds like a typical detective story, Raid adds Finnish style and cultural details that make it special.

What really sets Raid apart is its unusual and colourful supporting cast: the sarcastic Lieutenant Jansson, the sleazy but oddly likable porn dealer Sundman, and the wildly over-the-top "Arska the Arse." Each character feels real and flawed, part of a world where no one is truly innocent.

The show's look and feel are similar to 1970s noir films but with a Finnish twist. It's not flashy - the visuals are dark, the action rough, and the pacing sometimes slow - but it all feels honest. The series explores topics like corruption, power, and moral grey areas in a thoughtful way (although Finland is one of the least corrupted countries in the world). At 12 episodes, it might feel a bit too long, and the production quality can seem outdated. Still, the writing and acting keep it engaging. It's rare to find a series that mixes crime, dark comedy, and social commentary so well.

Raid is more than just a great Finnish TV show - it's a unique mix of crime story and character study, and a hidden gem worth watching. I gave it 8 out of 10, though I might have rated it higher if I'd seen it 25 years ago. Personally, as regards Finnish series, I tend to prefer Sorjonen now.

The Missing unfolds in the vein of The Fall or Top of the Lake - slow-burning, emotional, and steeped in mystery. Season 1 centres on the abduction of a young English boy, Ollie, in France. What sets it apart is not just the central mystery, but the distressing and often frustrating cultural and procedural barriers faced by his parents in a foreign system. The narrative, which jumps across timelines, is heavy with atmosphere but occasionally stretches plausibility. At times it meanders with subplots that don't directly serve the core story. Though the acting is strong - with James Nesbitt delivering a gritty, if occasionally overwrought, performance - the pacing may test your patience. The ending, while emotionally charged, feels clumsy and ambiguous, seemingly more interested in leaving the door open for a sequel than offering closure.

Season 2, however, is widely seen as a standout. Unrelated to Season 1, it follows the mysterious return of Alice, a girl missing for years, and dives immediately into gripping suspense and layered storytelling. With Keeley Hawes giving a standout performance, this season is tighter, more emotionally resonant, and filled with compelling twists. The writing feels more purposeful, and the mystery more engaging.

Overall, The Missing offers an emotional ride with great performances and suspenseful plotting - especially in its second season. While Season 1 has more inconsistencies, the Series as a whole is a pleasant watch for fans of intense, character-driven mystery dramas.

This Korean series begins with a gripping premise: Lee Tang (Choi Woo-shik), a poor college student, accidentally kills a man during a scuffle, only to discover the victim was a criminal. This sets off a chain of murders, igniting a psychological chase with gum-chewing detective Jang Nan-gam (Son Suk-ku) in pursuit. It's a clever twist on the "murderer kills murderers" trope and initially feels like fresh territory.

However, the execution falters. While the performances are strong and the cinematography has its moments-particularly with effective use of slow motion and tight editing-the pacing drags. The series might have worked better as a tight film or with less episodes. Despite its thriller label, many episodes are bogged down by repetition and overly dark scenes, both visually and tonally, plus flashbacks and dreams with unclear beginning and ending.

The moral dilemma, central to the story, isn't as unique as it wants to be. One may feel the narrative leans too heavily on excusing violence through trauma or circumstance-something seen often in Korean dramas; the bleakness of the characters and setting is somewhat off-putting, with nearly every figure portrayed as unlikable.

Add in some distracting creative choices-like the detective's exaggerated gum-chewing-and the series loses its tension. The gritty realism sometimes feels forced, and plot conveniences strain believability.

For crime thriller fans, this series offers an intriguing concept and solid performances, but its uneven tone and dragging middle episodes make it a mixed experience. Over the average, yes, but not too catchy.