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Apple TV's Nocturne Reviews Mixed as Crime Thriller Struggles to Stand Out
Confirmed
In Short: Apple TV's new crime thriller, Nocturne, based on Lars Kepler's novel 'The Sandman,' has received mixed reviews from critics.
The series, which premiered on October 30, follows retired detective Jonah Lynn (Liev Schreiber) as he investigates a series of crimes linked to a jailed killer, Jurek Walter (Stephen Graham).
Critics highlight Graham's performance as the terrifying villain, with The Guardian describing him as 'mesmerising and utterly terrifying.'
However, the plot's reliance on familiar crime genre tropes has been a point of contention.
Collider notes that the series feels like another attempt to replicate the success of HBO's crime sagas, suggesting that a simpler approach might have better served the story.
Variety praises the series for its haunting direction but also points out that the plot quickly shifts into different and ever more haunting directions, which some critics find contrived.
IndieWire criticizes the show for settling for the easiest and most obvious explanations, noting that the mystery's resolution betrays the detailed investigation that makes up most of the story.
Leisurebyte's review is particularly scathing, calling the writing 'lazy' and the characters 'exaggerated cardboard figures.'
Despite the criticism, some viewers are excited about the casting and the series' potential as a crime drama.
The Hollywood Reporter suggests that for genre enthusiasts, the familiarity of the plot may be enough to enjoy the series.
Critics agree that the series struggles to stand out in the crowded streaming-crime market, with DVDfever.co.uk noting that it is another 'intriguing pot-boiler' from Apple TV.
What's confirmed
- The series, which premiered on October 30, follows retired detective Jonah Lynn (Liev Schreiber) as he investigates a series of crimes linked to a jailed killer, Jurek Walter (Stephen Graham).
- However, the plot's reliance on familiar crime genre tropes has been a point of contention.
- Collider notes that the series feels like another attempt to replicate the success of HBO's crime sagas, suggesting that a simpler approach might have better served the story.
- Variety praises the series for its haunting direction but also points out that the plot quickly shifts into different and ever more haunting directions, which some critics find contrived.
- IndieWire criticizes the show for settling for the easiest and most obvious explanations, noting that the mystery's resolution betrays the detailed investigation that makes up most of the story.
- Despite the criticism, some viewers are excited about the casting and the series' potential as a crime drama.
- The Hollywood Reporter suggests that for genre enthusiasts, the familiarity of the plot may be enough to enjoy the series.
- Critics agree that the series struggles to stand out in the crowded streaming-crime market, with DVDfever.co.uk noting that it is another 'intriguing pot-boiler' from Apple TV.
What's still developing
- The most frustrating part of Nocturne is knowing that the meat of this tale is more than enough to sustain viewers, and that a level of simplicity to the production would allow that story to fulfill its potential.
- Since HBO's landmark crime saga premiered, it feels like every network and streamer has tried desperately to hit the same high with its own thrillers (ironically, HBO has repeatedly been the closest).
- Based on Lars Kepler 's novel The Sandman, Nocturne is a Silence of the Lambs -inspired story of an imprisoned killer and a group of detectives racing against the clock as the crimes mysteriously continue.
- Putting a spin on the fourth entry in Kepler's bestselling Joona Linna series, Nocturne moves the story of The Sandman from Stockholm, Sweden, to Western Pennsylvania, where former police detective Jonah Lynn (Schreiber) is several years removed from the capture of a terrifying serial killer and the death of his wife and daughter.
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- Nocturne is another of Apple TV’s intriguing pot-boilers, this time centered around major nutjob Jurek Walter ( Stephen Graham – Adolescence ), who’s incarcerated at Riverside Psychiatric Hospital, and giving major Hannibal Lecter-style vibes.
- Meanwhile, down the cop shop, Bill Camp ( How To Make A Killing ) plays police Chief Ellison, because Bill Camp has to be in everything.
- Graham is nicely chilling in his role, but of his character, does he know anything about Michael Frost’s release?
- Three scenes in “Nocturne” nearly knocked me out of my chair: two from excitement, one from exasperation.
- Co-showrunners John Hlavin and Rowan Joffé give their actors room to play, but within the bounds of a faux-prestige crime thriller (based on the Swedish novel “The Sandman” by Lars Kepler).
- Excellent villain in a Hannibal Lecter vein Not every conversation about Nocturne seems to be coming from people sharing about the episodes, but also from viewers who seem excited about the casting.
- When a nearly dead boy is found near a bridge, Jonah is brought in by the current police chief (Camp), since he was the officer who handled the case of two siblings who disappeared three years earlier, a case that was never solved.