Dark City: The Cleaner

This is like a low budget Kiwi version of Dexter, but in Dexter you could root for Dexter because he ws killing off sick serial killer scum like our erstwhile villain main character Joe Middleton. The first person thought narration is even more than in Dexter. This creep takes joy in killing random women who did him no harm. So I feel sort of guilty enjoying this based on the sexual sadism angle. But it has a charm and it also paired him with a female version of him Melissa Flowers who at first literally busted his ball with pliers. Then add Joe's awful mom Evelyn and a decent Christian woman who worked as a maintenance man in the same ChristChurch Police Station as our lead psycho. But instead of being a CSI wonk like Dexter, he is a lowly janitor. But like Dexter, he keeps ahead of the cops due to eavesdropping and snooping around. Like I said befoe, it seems immoral to enjoy a show so amoral and vile like this but it has a droll sense of humor and some interesting characters and plot twists too.

I don't know where to start...but the review saying if you like Dexter then you'll like this is stretching the truth... and then some.

The show is about a cleaner that works in a police station but outside office hours he's a serial killer.

And that's where the Dexter similarity ends. Dexter had a likeable protagonist, fantastic writing, great storylines and even though it was far fetched, it almost felt plausible. It also had incredible music.

This is the polar opposite. Awful writing, a stupid and unbelievable protagonist who's so dumb, but has flashes of genius, so it's silly, and the plot holes are insane. Any sensible human, especially if you're male, would fully get this within 5 minutes of episode 2.

In what universe does an active serial killer investigation give unfettered access to a cleaner seeing all files, crime scene photos, and he gets to hear police openly discussing it while he's in the room??

As for Melissa....are you serious???

The other plot holes would be spoilers so I can't say but if you can get to episode 3 then you deserve a pat on the back because it was during this episode I quit so I'd stop constantly shaking my head and rolling my eyes, and asking myself 'What am I doing watching this?'

Terrible, but they get 2 stars cos the music isn't that bad.

The plot of this series is compelling and the psychological depth of the characters adds a fascinating layer. Each episode maintains a high level of attractiveness and engagement, ensuring that viewers remain invested throughout. While the central idea may not be entirely novel, the sequence of events and how they unfold are executed in a way that makes the series particularly interesting. There is some nudity towards the end of the first episode, with an exposure of genitals that could have been concealed without impacting the narrative or visual appeal. While the ending could have been written to be more captivating, it still manages to be good. The overall quality and execution suggest that a second season would be highly anticipated and welcomed. The series has successfully balanced character development with plot progression, making it a worthwhile watch.

I've tried a lot of TV series from outside the U. S. British dramas, Nordic noirs, Korean thrillers and for whatever reason, most of them don't stick. I don't know if it's the pacing, the humor, or something lost in translation, but nine times out of ten I don't even make it past the second episode. That's why it caught me completely off guard when I stumbled into a series that not only held my attention but had me binging episodes back to back like I was on some sort of entertainment bender.

This show has a vibe that's hard to pin down but easy to enjoy. Think Dexter, but without the moral gymnastics of pretending he only kills serial killers. Instead, this show dives straight into the messy, complex headspace of someone who is, by every definition, a bad person but somehow makes them feel human enough that you can't look away. You're not rooting for them exactly, but you are fascinated by how their brain works and how easily they justify crossing every moral line.

The acting is solid all around, with a cast that knows exactly what kind of show they're in. There's a real sense of timing both comedic and dramatic, that elevates the entire thing. Nobody's overdoing it, and nobody's phoning it in. Every glance, pause, and line delivery is on point. But while the cast deserves credit, the real magic here is in the writing.

This isn't one of those series that relies on cliffhangers like a crutch, tossing in a last second twist just to make sure you watch the next episode. The story is smarter than that. Each episode is layered with tension, character development, and just enough plot movement to keep you invested without feeling manipulated. The writers clearly trust the audience to keep up, and that makes a big difference. You're not being spoon fed information or force fed plot twists. You're being invited to follow along with a character who sees the world through a very warped lens, and whether you like it or not, you start to understand their point of view.

That's where the show really shines. It doesn't make excuses for the bad behavior on screen, but it does make it believable. You see how someone could slowly, step by step, justify terrible things. Not because they're a monster, but because they've built an internal logic that lets them sleep at night. That kind of psychological depth is rare in most shows, especially ones that flirt with the idea of being dark or edgy. This one doesn't flirt, it dives headfirst and takes you with it.

Another thing I appreciated is the balance. It's dark, yes, but it's not grim for the sake of being grim. There's humor sprinkled in, often at unexpected moments, and it never feels forced. It's not laugh out loud funny, but it's clever, just enough to let the pressure out of the room before things get too heavy. And again, that's all down to the writing. These writers know how to pace a story, when to twist the knife, and when to give the audience a breather.

It's also worth mentioning that the series has a strong visual style. Nothing flashy or overly stylized, but there's clearly care put into how each scene is framed, how color and lighting shift with the mood, and how the environment supports the story. It's the kind of show where you feel like everything is intentional, from the music to the wardrobe to the way certain conversations happen in certain places.

In short, this is the rare international series that got everything right for me. It's smart without being pretentious, dark without being bleak, and character driven without losing momentum. It respects the viewer's intelligence and tells a story that's both unsettling and addictive.

If you're like me, someone who's tried to get into non U. S. shows and usually ends up checking your phone halfway through, this might be the one that surprises you. Give it a few episodes. Let it get under your skin. You might just find yourself watching "just one more" until it's two in the morning and you're emotionally compromised in the best way.

In New Zealand, Joe Middleton (Cohen Holloway) is a meek janitor in a police station to most people. To his victims, he is a serial killer known as The Christchurch Carver. He carefully picks his female targets while the audience listens to his inner monologue. A victim is added, but he didn't kill her. It could be a copycat and he intends to solve the case. He encounters Melissa Flowers (Chelsie Preston Crayford) who is more than his match.

This is a serial killer working behind enemy lines. Certainly, there are elements of Dexter here. Then there is Melissa Flowers. She comes out of nowhere and shocks us as well as Joe at the end of the pilot. She's crazy and a terrific black comedy generator. It puts the show off-kilter and I like it. It does suggest more seasons, but I don't know if this New Zealand show is continuing.