Sphinx

This is an amazing, and very dark drama. The cast is superb in their roles, and the cinematography puts one in mind of the Millierm Trilogy. This is far from an easy watch, but one can't help watching as the layered plot turns and twists. Characters are all full-fledged, so you connect with them, following either their pain or confusion. Wonderfully layered and gripping from the off, the ending, although complete, seemed to open up for another series; sign me up. The review is too short, so ignore what is below. I have come to respect many of these Swedish and European clever, well-acted, and written shows.

Sphinx presents itself as a gripping mystery set against the backdrop of Limburg but falls short of its promise due to its overrated status and lack of originality.

While the premise of the series is intriguing, the execution often feels derivative, borrowing heavily from established tropes and plot devices seen in similar productions. As a result, Sphinx struggles to distinguish itself in a genre saturated with similar offerings.

The series' reliance on familiar character archetypes and narrative beats may leave discerning viewers feeling underwhelmed, as they find themselves predicting plot twists and resolutions well in advance.

Meanwhile, Andrea Vass's portrayal as Eva, the 17-year-old girl at the center of the series, is a standout highlight. Vass brings a nuanced complexity to the role, capturing Eva's vulnerability and resilience with remarkable depth. Her performance adds layers to the character, drawing viewers deeper into the mystery surrounding her disappearance.

However, the immersion is hindered by the performances of Rifka Lodeizen, Marcel Hensema, and Benja Bruijning. While undoubtedly talented actors, they seem to be stuck in a repetitive cycle, portraying characters that feel all too familiar. Lodeizen's portrayal often echoes previous roles, lacking the necessary depth to fully engage audiences. Similarly, Hensema and Bruijning's characters feel like recycled versions of roles they've played in the past, failing to bring anything fresh to the table. While Vass's performance shines brightly, it's overshadowed by the predictability of the supporting cast, diminishing the impact of pivotal moments within the narrative.

In conclusion, Sphinx may offer a passable diversion for fans of the mystery genre, but it ultimately fails to live up to the hype surrounding it. The cinematography and score contribute to the overall atmosphere, creating an immersive viewing experience that manages to hold attention, albeit fleetingly. Its lack of originality and reliance on tired clichés prevent it from reaching its full potential, resulting in a series that feels more like a missed opportunity than a groundbreaking achievement.

In addition, viewers should be aware that Sphinx delves heavily into the subject of sexual acts with minors, a sensitive topic that is depicted on screen. The creators of the show opt to depict explicit scenes, including full frontal nudity of the main character (the actress is 26 years old in real life, but she does play a minor), a decision that may be unsettling and triggering for some audience members.

I really liked the main actors from other series, so I dragged my way to episode 4 before I could not watch anymore; this is such a bad script. It's just not believable.

The acting is quite reasonable, but just not with plausible lines.

And the police is always running behind the facts of course, not to disturb the story line.

Stereotype after stereotype.

And what's up with these masks; are they supposed to add any mysticism to the whole revenge drama?

It just looked silly in my opinion.

Also, let's put some female nudity in there, because well, it's a Dutch series after all; without it being remotely functional.