True Detective Night Country will stream on HBO and Max.
Since its inception, the True Detective franchise has set itself apart with a consistent, dark mood and tone. Indeed, the initial draw of the HBO series was its inclusion of movie stars of the time. The world witnessed the “McConaissance” of (Matthew McConaughey). However, in this reviewer’s opinion, the first season was overrated but still recommendable.
Subsequent seasons lacked the same star power, and rumors of alleged plagiarism tarnished its reputation. Now, the series True Detective Night Country has been revitalized. Mainly from a change in leadership. Executive-produced by Barry Jenkins and written and directed by Issa López, the series represents a perfect marriage of location and the filmmakers’ talents.
The new story follows Liz Danvers (Academy Award winner Jodie Foster), the police chief of Ennis, Alaska, an area that has just begun its winter darkness, causing the region to lose sunlight for weeks. In the opening scene, a group of caribou runs off a snow-covered cliff, reminiscent of lemmings, as if trying to outrun the sunset.
Max’s True Detective Night Country Season 4 Plot Summary and Review
Naturally, not only do things go bump in the night, but people also go missing. That includes a group of scientists from the Tsalal Arctic Research Station. All that remains at the facility are their equipment, personal belongings, and an endless loop of Matthew Broderick singing “Twist and Shout” from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Yes, Danvers has a lot on her plate.
For one, Officer Navarro (Kali Reis) continues to investigate an unsolved murder of a young woman, a case that has gone cold. Moreover, her officer (John Hawkes) is vying for her position. Furthermore, the local indigenous population is protesting against both police officers and a nearby mine that is polluting the land, resulting in political pressure from the brass (Christopher Eccleston).
The series centers on Foster and Reis, who navigate crime, biases, and their own personal demons in the dead of night. First, the lead characters, although redeemable, are in constant conflict. Danvers and Navarro are confrontational and antagonistic toward nearly everyone they encounter, including loved ones.
True Detective Night Country is a masterwork of tone and pace.
López’s writing is particularly strong here. When the audience is not delving into the two main mysteries, they also attempt to understand the unspoken personal issues affecting the main characters. This circular storytelling slowly unveils clues through the six-episode run. As the story progresses, revealing an interconnectedness that never feels contrived.
Ultimately, this is rewarding for those who have patience. And so are the subtext and deeper themes. Danvers’s stepdaughter, Leah (Isabella LaBlanc), is beginning to reconnect with her Alaskan indigenous heritage. This goes beyond the standard mother-daughter cliche, highlighting modern themes of the marginalized and police-community distrust.
The same storyline cycles through with Officer Prior (Finn Bennett). Giving the audience a perspective of how this type of racially charged storyline can affect romantic relationships, You’ll notice Danvers has boundary issues, making every interaction a roller coaster of conflict and resentment.
Is True Detective Night Country Season 4 Worth Watching?
True Detective Night Country is worth watching because it doesn’t pander to audience expectations. While many aspects will be confounding for the audience, writer-director Issa López uses her experience in Mexican horror cinema to her advantage here. Scenes remind you of a Robert Frost poem of white, endless death.
The application of horror jump scares builds suspense. These are also relevant, even though embellished for effect, for such mental health disorders that can be experienced in such harsh environments. Like depression, sleep disorders, anxiety, and isolation, which can lead to hallucinations and heightened awareness.
True Detective Night Country is a resurgence for the franchise. This is a masterwork of tightly wound tone and pace, with great performances from Jodie Foster and relative newcomer Kali Reis. The bickering, fighting, and friction between each other could spark flames in a blizzard.
However, they never lose respect for one another, being each other’s conscious, making for complex character development and deep thematic storytelling.
What did you think of True Detective Night Country? Comment below.
You can watch this series with a subscription to Max.
8/10
