True Detective Night Country Jodie Foster, Christopher Eccleston, Finn Bennett, John Hawkes, Fiona Shaw, and Kali Reis in the cast
Issa Lopez is the creator.
In charge: Issa Lopez
Watching on: Max
Language: (subtitled) English
Six episodes totaling around an hour in length.
What It Concerns:
On January 12, 2014, True Detective was released. It was such a hit that it quickly became ingrained in popular culture, and it helped Matthew McConaughey win an Oscar and help most of the other actors advance in their careers. It also helped keep the brand fresh in the minds of viewers, even though the second and third seasons were rather forgettable. A new mystery located in Alaska and a hint of a mystical element unlike anything seen in the program previously await us in Season 4.
Examining the script:
The new subtitle for this season of True Detective is Night Country, which denotes that this season is unique. To start, there will only be six episodes in Night Country, which sets it apart from the previous three seasons in many ways. Additionally, Nic Pizzolatto, who created and oversaw the first three seasons, is taking on more of a founders’ role and delegating control to Issa López, a Mexican filmmaker who appears to be taking the lead.
While the supernatural components in the first season were just hinted at, Night Country is definitely leaning on a supernatural aspect in ways that it has never done before, which makes it even more different from the previous three seasons of the show and closer to something like The Thing. The uncanny is there in Night Country, as palpable as the ice beneath the actors’ feet, which lends the program a more macabre atmosphere. It adds a unique taste to the season and functions incredibly well.
Star Performance:
It appears that the cast of True Detective defines each new season more so than the case the characters are attempting to solve. Perhaps Night Country is no exception, as the show has opted to pair two exceptional actors in key parts—Kalien Reis, a recent hire, and Jodie Foster, an established actor. Foster and Reis both do an amazing job bringing their characters to life, making them seem realistic and nuanced. Despite the fact that each character is very distinct from the others, they definitely work well together.
Foster is a force to be reckoned with, and having her around gives the show a strong anchor. Danvers is a killer without fluff, which works against him and results in some of the most fascinating confrontations. In the meanwhile, Reis demonstrates her incredible talent for drama. Although she may be a newcomer to the stage, she holds her own, and as the series progresses, her character grows increasingly sympathetic and inspirational. It’s entertaining to see Foster and Reis’ scenes more because of their difference.
Music & Direction:
This is HBO, which prides itself on being more than just television, and it seems that after many decades they still got it, by making their shows look as good as they can on screen. Issa López directs all six of the season’s episodes, which gives the entire story a very cohesive visual identity. López is up to the task when it comes to making the show feel as cinematic as possible. Additionally, López does a fantastic job of building suspense and perhaps even a humorous moment to add to the overall drama.
Final Thoughts:
After coasting on the popularity of the first season but never quite managing to repeat it, True Detective Night Country feels very much like a return to form. This fourth season has taken a different turn, which appears to be the right one as it turns the program into a supernatural detective story. Characters created by Foster, Reis, and the other members of the ensemble are incredibly engaging, and the mystery itself holds viewers’ attention until the very end.
