When I heard that “True Detective” was returning for a new season, I was thrilled. I will confess, though, that when I sat down to watch “True Detective: Night Country,” I was already convinced that nothing could beat the first season of this incredibly brilliant dark show. I was wrong.
This season is, in ways, the opposite of the first season. “Night Country” is female-driven and brings to light the true subject of missing and murdered indigenous women. It’s set in the dark, frozen Arctic, compared to the first season’s setting under the sweltering sun. In the first season, we were given moments of levity. You won’t find that in this season’s six episodes.
Cast and Characters:
Jody Foster, best known for her iconic role in Silence of the Lambs, never disappoints. She stars as Chief Danvers, who struggles with alcoholism and uses promiscuity and hostility as a way to distract herself from her misery and heartache after losing her husband and young son. She is hard, mean, and demanding. After pushing Officer Navarow out of the police department, they once again find themselves working together and locked in a haunting mystery when a new, strange case reveals a connection with the unsolved murder of an indigenous woman who was found murdered years prior.
As for Navarro, played by professional fighter, a world champion in two divisions, turned actress Kali Reis, she is burdened by the death of her mother and her sister’s struggle with Schizophrenia. She’s distant and keeps those around her at arm’s length. Like Chief Danvers, she is miserable and angry, taking it out on whoever is near. But her dedication to finding the answers surrounding the murders is absolutely impressive.
While the characters of Danvers and Navarro are very different in many ways, they are also very similar. Both have anger issues and struggles that turn them into unpleasant people, but somehow, you still want to root for them. I think part of that is their determination to solve the cases no matter what.
Foster and Reis are not the only ones who gave a great performance. The entire cast did. But newcomer Finn Bennett, who plays the role of young Officer Peter Prior, Danvers right-hand man, delivers an emotional performance that makes his character stand out as he attempts to balance his life as a new father and husband while trying to earn the respect of Danvers and his fellow officer and father, a role played by John Hawkes.
A Haunting, Emotional Tale:
This season features a heavy paranormal/supernatural vibe that sees the dead guide the characters on their mission to uncover the mystery and traverse their complicated lives and emotions. The season also features themes of trauma, mental health issues, death, and addiction. These aspects are presented by flawed characters that you can empathize and connect with. The harsh backdrop of the frozen Arctic is almost a character all on its own. The way the wind moans in the background and the sound of ice crunching beneath their feet lends to the chilling soundtrack that kicks off with a haunting opening tune by Billie Eilish.
The Horrifying Truth:
This season is more than just about entertainment. It highlights the struggles of women and indigenous women and reminds us that the disappearances and murders of them must be addressed. The heartbreaking statistics should be a topic on everyone’s lips. For example, over 5,203 Indigenous women were murdered or went missing in the US in 2021 alone. Yet you rarely hear about it in the news. Why is that? It’s been over 150 years since Native Americans found themselves exiled to reservations, and the government still doesn’t care about them. As someone whose ancestors walked the Trail of Tears, it makes me furious. But let’s continue before I say something I shouldn’t.
A Mystery Revealed:
When the truth of the mystery is finally revealed, it’s surprising and is something you won’t see coming. Don’t worry, I’m not going to spoil it. I will say this: it was a very clever choice by writer/director/showrunner Issa Lopez.
The season is packed with heavy nods to classic horrors like The Thing. In one scene, you can even see a copy of the movie behind Chief Danvers. The mass of frozen, naked bodies of the scientists, whose faces are contorted by abject terror, look like it came straight out of the classic film. I have to give props to the special effects team. They did an absolutely incredible job.
There is one thing that might leave the audience somewhat unhappy: the ending. It was an interesting, but is one that will leave you asking yourself, “Why?” But you will have to judge it for yourself.
A Triumph:
Writer-director Issa López delivers a brilliant, intense, fright-filled season that rivals the critically acclaimed first season. Of course, that’s no surprise if you have already seen her fantastic, haunting 2020 film Tigers Are Not Afraid. If you haven’t, I highly recommend it. You can stream it now on Shudder, AMC+, and Direct TV.
“True Detective: Night Country” is simply fantastic and eerie and had me hanging on to my seat every moment. The story is compelling, the near-constant action keeps things interesting, and it’s got more twists and turns than a NASCAR track.
Where and When to Watch:
“True Detective: Night Country” is a brilliant addition to the anthology series. Be sure not to miss its premiere on January 14, 2024. There are two ways to watch. It will be streaming on both HBO and MAX.
