Le tueur de l'ombre

I gave this a 7, because it's going to appeal to lovers of that slightly fading genre, Nordic Noir.

But don't make the mistake I did and watch this all in one go. I'd heard about it when series 4 was airing on BBC 4, so decided to catch up with the show on Prime.

I'm on the final episode of season one, and so far, the tone can best be described as humourless. I'm struggling to think of a single moment of light relief.

Everyone is played as a victim to some degree, and there's no real chemistry between any of the characters. One scene of potential lightness, a child playing with a cat, is soon toxified in an almost absurd way (don't worry, no animal is harmed on screen, apart from the human ones of course).

On that note, the violence, much of it sexual, is sickening. I'm not really one for trigger warnings, but if anything should have one, this should.

After writing this, I'm tempted to knock it down to 6, but I'll leave it as 7 and may slowly endure later episodes to see if it lightens up at all by season 4.

The perp plays his role really well, his r ships with co workers family & cop all add to the suspense...I easily binged this over a couple of days

Not sure what people are complaining about re the ending seemed fine to me.

I mean it's a tv show ffs relax & enjoy ... it's suitably icky as nordic noir should be but not gratuitous despite the grim opening.

Recommended!

Edit...watched season 1 last liked season 2 best!

I'm sure Denmark is a very nice country but after years of watching there excellent crime dramas I'm beginning to wonder if every other person is a psychotic violent killer! It can't be easy for the writers to come up with original ways to portray psychological serial killers but they do a pretty good job with Darkness those who kill. As always the detective heading the case and his assistant in this case a criminal psychologist played by the stunning Natalie Madurio have there own personal problems to deal with. I particularly enjoyed the opening of each episode which shows brief flashbacks of the perpetrators early lives and how it went towards turning out the way they did. All in all a very fine addition to the Nordic Noir genre. 8/10

I've only recently discovered this detective series on BBC 4, and watched its third incarnation. Frankly, I can't quite undersatnd why so many have entered negative reviews.

Having to read sub-titles is a nuisance but well worth while. The story is coherent and well acted and there's little in the way of extraneous noise or scenes. The chief character, Louise, comes across as a bit of a troubled soul at times but watching her think as she considers her response to questions, or seeks knowledge from suspects, is well done.

The story in series 3 is a good one and I've been gripped from the outset - if I hadn't been, I'd have given up long before the end. It's not perfect but it's well worth a mark of 8, and much better than many of the formulaic offerings from elsewhere.

I'd say this is as good as The Bridge and The Killing. Exciting throughout with great plot and acting and no time to look at a clock. Danish thriller at its best.

The only minor criticism is that some of the syncing of the fight and shooting scenes was a bit out but that's being very picky.

Come on season 2 !!