EntertainmentStreamingTrue Detective: Night Country is dark, moody and exactly what I hopedSky and Now hosted a UK premiere in the best possible fashion and I was blown awayWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentStreamingTrue Detective: Night Country is dark, moody and exactly what I hopedSky and Now hosted a UK premiere in the best possible fashion and I was blown awayWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Sky and Now hosted a UK premiere in the best possible fashion and I was blown away
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: HBO)
(Image credit: HBO)
Sky andstreaming serviceNow will debut a show this coming Monday, 15 January 2024, that I’ve eagerly-awaited for years, with HBO screening it in the US the night before. However, I’ve seen the first episode already (in gloriously suitable surroundings) and it’s everything I’d hoped and more.
True Detective: Night Countryis as dark and moody as the original first season, yet also something different – more like a spinoff than a true season 4. The first episode does complement previous seasons for sure, with a similarly intriguing, almost other-worldly murder plot, but it also has an essence ofTwin Peaksand Sky’s ownFortitudeabout it (which also features Christopher Eccleston, funny enough).
That’s largely thanks to horror writer / director Issa López being at the helm this time around, taking over from series creator and writer, Nic Pizzolatto. She has given the franchise a much-needed second pair of eyes and an even darker tone. Literally.
Set in the town of Ennis, Alaska during its annual month of perpetual night, the show is foreboding and tense. Claustrophobic even. It’s a trope shared with the comic book series (and less celebrated movie)30 Days of Night, and we suspect that could have been an inspiration.
There are (likely) fewer vampires, of course, and the focus is more on the eponymous detectives, but the tone is similar. The lack of daytime makes everything feel far more sinister, and so the episode plays out as we get to know our protagonists and the situation in which they find themselves.
I won’t spoil much more for you, as the mainstay of the show’s allure is the gradual unveiling of the plot and purpose (including some grisly findings), but the first episode’s runtime flew past and reassuringly left me wanting more.
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(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
In fact, UK fans can also get the same experience on 22 January, as Sky and Now combined have alimited number of free tickets availableto watch episodes 1 and 2 in the same location. I cannot recommend it enough.
The same can be said of the show. I’ve only seen the debut episode for now, but am very eager to continue. It might not hit quite the same heights as the outstanding first season, but there are few other crime dramas like it.
You can watch episode 1 ofTrue Detective: Night CountryonSky Glass,Sky Stream, Sky Q, or through theNow streaming app with Entertainment membershipfrom Monday 15 January.
Those in the States can watch it on HBO or Max from Sunday 14 January.
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