joakimbkampe Reviews

The Turkish Detective (2023– )

Quite bingeworthy crime series

[7/10 · 3 January 2024]

While this is your average crime/thriller story, with a new mystery every 2 episodes and one that spans over the whole series there are several factors that would make me choose this one over several similar brit-crime variations.

First: I really enjoy the setting. Istanbul is an exciting city and the series manages to capture the vibe quite well.

Second: The script. Each episode is well written, and balanced both in dialogue, character development and in mysteries that somehow feels like a fresh take than the average (maybe it is the environment, maybe the somewhat straightforward storytelling, either way, it works).

Third: likeable characters and good acting. The characters are believable and likeable but not without faults. Thankfully the depressed-alcoholic-cop-trope is no way to be seen. Rather the characters are more multifaceted with have weaknesses, strengths, doubts and sides that are less flattering, just like all humans. Perhaps that is why they feel so relatable.

Over all, the series are evidently well crafted, and enjoyable. Nothing mind blowing, but an enjoyable watch. If you like series like the Icelantic "Trapped" or the Danish "Rejsholdet", this is for you.

Stockholm Bloodbath (2023)

Did the Nordic scriptwriters also strike?

[3/10 · 16 December 2023]

Three stars awarded for the two leads who at least put up a decent performance, but that's about it.

It tries to be a bit Kill Bill, a bit A Knights Tale and epically failing at both. The script is either bad or non-existent. I get the feeling that the director just put up a series of half assed improv-sketches in costumes and cut them together to resemble a movie. I am struggling to see a red thread or at least a plan at all behind it all.

Some yelling, some swashbuckling, some more yelling and everything wierdly cut together to a porridge of gore. Thank God Alba August and Sophie Cookson do a good job of killing Danes and being bad ass. With a narrative more focused on them and less on the group of yelling men trying to resemble Danes, this might have been at least watchable.