There’s something about Dark that reminds me of Lost. The show isn’t set on an island or anything, but it’s got a sprawling cast and an ambitious narrative that aims really, really high. Does it succeed? You bet it does!
Confusion is thy name
While Dark kicks off when kids starts disappearing from a fictional German village, this is a show that juggles a million mysteries at once. Quite impressively, it keeps them all afloat with stunning efficiency. In fact, the show even zips through time quite a bit while never seeing a dip in quality (time travel certainly ruined Lost back in its heyday). Be warned, Dark can be a very confusing show if you’re not paying attention. Although I quite enjoyed the show’s pilot, I had no idea Dark would become so increasingly complicated. There are a ton of characters and they’re all related to one another in unpredictable ways (that I won’t spoil here). You simply can’t watch the show passively ; this show requires your full attention through and through, but it’s very rewarding as a result.
Constant Spookiness
The greatest thing about Dark is its sense of atmosphere. The top-notch cinematography, the unsettling musical score, and the first-rate performances work tremendously well together to create a creepy sense of place throughout the entire season. And the editing… oh boy the editing! Dark triumphantly proves why editing is an art, seamlessly weaving together timelines and characters across decades to enhance its storytelling. While Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects both feature memorable editing flourishes, Netflix’s German thriller is on a whole other level. There’s no telling how long the show will last (Netflix has already ordered a second season), but for an opening year, this is pretty impressive.
Conclusion
A highly ambitious and mesmerizing debut that tackles some powerful themes through sharp performances and bold storytelling.
I watched this over the weekend while fighting a miserable summer cold. I’m glad I gave it a shot because it forced me to stay in bed. I was hooked right from the start. Yes, the first hour or so was a bit confusing but I stuck with it (rewinding here and there). It was well worth it. Once again, as with “Stranger Things” and “The Rain”, it’s the young cast that made all worth it, as did the moody atmosphere.
Many time travel stories fall into the same trap: trying to thoroughly reconcile the theory that if you change the past, you will doom the future–a kind of butterfly effect theory. Rather than sticking with characters we have taken an interest in, the writers bog down the plot by filling in the holes in the theory. Not here. “Dark” explores this theory here and there but not by sacrificing the characters and plot. The classic “Back to the Future” did the same good job.
This was well-done!
So true Rocco. Glad you appreciated it. I so feel like rewatching it again. It’s so darn complicated and intriguing!
Watched it back in December but this was a unique show. Thank god it got a season 2