Dark City: The Cleaner

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.

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.

My initial reaction was, oh dear, NZ are trying to replicate Dexter. But then, it kind of got to me. I didn't anticipate the ending of episode one, and I loved it. The idiot serial killer certainly doesn't have the charm of Dexter, but, he is more believable as a serial killer. I mean, come on, Michael C Hall is lovely! This dude, does creepy-weird well. The besotted wanna be girlfriend, heck, who doesn't know a Sally? Joe's love for his goldfish is, believable. And the sex scenes on the bus were howlingly funny.

I could have done without the actual murders, and Melissa's orgasmic delight in them, but otherwise her character was a blast and convincingly played. I felt the humour had shades of Dexter to it. Obviously not as well done, but then, I'm picking, they didn't have the same budget.

As a kiwi, I loved that it was so recognisably Christchurch. I loved the narration/inner monologue from Joe. I hope they don't wreck it (like they did Dexter, those last seasons were not good) by dragging it out too long.

Definitely an acquired taste. I can understand why some will think it's terrible. I found it quirky, and rather fun.

I tend to dislike most of the movies and television shows we produce, Once Were Warriors and a few other select few excepting. I'm also a fan of the Dexter series, my wife and I owning this series on DVD even - although that last bonus season ... don't ask.

Dark City The Cleaner is compelling and interesting, whilst light hearted and comedic - with a dark and sinister side to it - most like Dexter, but where Dexter was the kind of Protagonist who was also a bad guy that you liked - DCTC presents a Protagonist who you're not sure if you can like. In fact, everyone feels like a bad guy in this episodic offering.

Because I live in Christchurch, many of the outdoor shots have an air of familiarity for me; and yet I can't relate to this particular vision of Christchurch - and I'm not sure if that's a good thing.

Still I found this to be both funny and dark; and I did manage to enjoy it.