Mindhunter Review

Mindhunter Review

Joe Bozzella, Staff Writer

Mindhunter is director David Fincher’s second Netflix series, following the Emmy-winning House of Cards, and it follows FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they travel across the country talking to real-life serial killers in order to find out the reasons why these people committed their murders. Loosely based on the career of FBI agent John E. Douglas and his book Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit, the show is an intoxicating look into the minds of serial killers and even though there is not really a plot, you will be glued to the screen the entire time. The show completely reinvents the police procedural model as it keeps each adventure fresh instead of repetitive like most procedurals do.

Fincher is the most obsessive filmmaker working today, his attention to detail and drive to know every aspect of the story gets across perfectly in the show and especially the four episodes that he directed himself. The man who directed cinematic classics such as Fight Club, Se7en, Zodiac, among many others delves deep into the psyches of these characters and shows how their minds work. The best part of this show is the interviews that Ford and Tench have with Ed Kemper, Richard Speck and Jerry Brudos, who are played to perfection by Cameron Britton, Sonny Valicenti and Happy Anderson respectively. In these scenes, it is both terrifying and riveting just hearing these men talk about why they committed the atrocious acts they did and how brilliant they are. These scenes are what turn this show from a good one into a must-watch during this golden age of television.

The negative aspects of this show is the performance of lead Jonathan Groff, who plays Agent Ford, and his storyline with Hannah Gross’ character Debbie Mitford. Their relationship is the focal point of the pilot, by-far the worst episode as it never really goes anywhere. These two people are obviously not right for one another, and the storyline just does not fit with the rest of the show. Additionally, while Groff is not necessarily bad in the show by any stretch, he is just vanilla in the role. He is a naturally gifted actor who on paper checks every box but does not feel likeable enough in order to truly care about the main character. On the other hand, Holt McCallany’s performance as Bill Tench is truly outstanding. Tench displays so much emotion in his scenes at home and acts as the rock for the series to pivot around.

Mindhunter is a spectacular show and will keep you engaged and make you want to binge every episode in a row since it is so riveting.

Mindhunter: 9 out of 10

Photo Credit: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5290382/