Crá

A very well written and acted murder mystery set in the stunning landscapes of north-west Eire. Dialogue is in Irish Gaelic with subtitles, which gives it a certain authenticity and makes it seem even more physically remote. I tried out the first episode, and quickly got hooked and two days later had finished the series. It's a really good choice for a binge watch. The similarities to Shetland are fairly obvious - both are set in remote communities where everyone has a past and that past is known to everyone else, but beneath the surface there are secrets too, waiting to be revealed. This series avoided the obvious and kept me guessing until the final scenes. Congratulations to the BBC for being brave enough to screen this. Thoroughly recommended.

Only six forty-five minute episodes, so it is easy to watch.

It kept me interested, kept me guessing until the end.

The acting seems somewhat wooden at times. Direction is zippy enough.

The series would have worked just as well had the dialogue been in English, although sub-titles would probably still be needed for many to understand the accents.

The plot is somewhat laboured, with a somewhat improbable end that I did not guess, although there are faint clues.

The bleak scenic coastline and langscapes of Donegal adds atmosphere and interest.

The wardrobe budget must have been small, the Dónall Ó Héalai gets a single pair of trousers! But he goes get some lovely wool sweaters :-)

I want to give it a higher rating, because I liked that it's in Irish and in Donegal. It had an interesting setting, and I really would like to see more of this (I'm from Scotland). I thought the main male actor was quite good, so was his other half in it. The character of the journalist/podcaster was just really bad, quite cringe worthy and not well written. Nothing against the actress, she worked with what she had.

Some of the acting wasn't that great, but I think the writing is what let it down the most. I really wanted to give it a higher rating, but it's just not that well written. Lots of things don't make much sense, the dialogue between the characters is a bit bland, there's too many cringe worthy moments that feel out of place with the nonsense plotline of the true crime podcaster getting away with/doing stuff that just wouldn't happen. It could honestly be a lot better.

I see the potential in it though, and I hope this starts more series funded that are in Irish with this kind of theme. I think they just need some extra help with the writing. So I'm giving it a 7, cause I still enjoyed it when I shut my brain off for a bit, and it is quite unique.

I would still recommend people watch this series, just shut your brain off a bit if some things seem a bit far fetched and you'll probably enjoy it. If we support it, hopefully more stuff like this will come out in the future!

I'll start by saying the scenery was beautiful. The atmosphere was perfect but the story disappointed me. I won't criticize the acting but some actors were much better than others. I didn't guess who the murderer was right away but it was so clumsy with the suspects. You know who didn't do it but it try's to make the characters suspects which is tedious. Characters are so stereotypical. The renegade, the clown, the dumb pair that insist they know who is it and refuse to investigate anyone else, The journalist was not likeable. I could label each character. It's an easy watch for sure. I enjoyed the language. I loved the gorgeous scenery.

Crá (Torment) is an intriguing gripping atmospheric crime drama.

Set in the dramatic rugged wild Atlantic comes a story of murder, deceit and redemption helmed by talented bunch of writers and an equally talented cast and crew.

Where this show triumphs over other standard fodder is the world building aided by the fantastic music and cinematography.

Trying to keep this spoiler free. The story moves at a steady and assured pace giving the required nuggets of information so that we the audience and the main characters are discovering the story together.

I'd highly recommend this show and it's available worldwide on TG4 website.