Mindhunter

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 13, 2017
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 436 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 394 out of 436
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 436
  3. Negative: 26 out of 436
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  1. Broyax
    Sep 28, 2022
    2
    Deux agents du FBI enseignent la psychologie criminelle ou ce qui s’apparente à de la psychologie criminelle tout en cherchant de nouvelles méthodes d’interrogatoire et d’investigation et… de profilage, en compagnie d’une experte universitaire en la matière, une matière encore balbutiante dans ces années 70…

    Des années 70 qui ont vu (déjà) moult criminels commettre des crimes abjects et    Deux agents du FBI enseignent la psychologie criminelle ou ce qui s’apparente à de la psychologie criminelle tout en cherchant de nouvelles méthodes d’interrogatoire et d’investigation et… de profilage, en compagnie d’une experte universitaire en la matière, une matière encore balbutiante dans ces années 70…

    Des années 70 qui ont vu (déjà) moult criminels commettre des crimes abjects et parmi eux bien évidemment, des psychopathes ! comprendre ces dégénérés peut bien sûr aider dans les enquêtes et partant, en arrêter d’autres… du moins, en théorie.

    Nos deux agents vont donc interroger des tarés ici et là, dans toutes les taules du pays mais en profitent aussi de temps en temps pour aider la police locale dans des affaires non résolues bien dégueulasses et sordides. L’ambiance est bien restituée et pour cause puisque la série est chapeautée par David Fincher qui a rassemblé ici des éléments (et des façons de faire) de ses deux précédents films dans le genre scabreux, à savoir Seven et Zodiac.

    Hélas, au bout de quelques épisodes, la routine s’installe et le fil conducteur s’avère trop ténu pour maintenir l’attention (et la tension) d’une part des tarés en zonzon, d’autre part des tarés suspectés d’avoir découpé, noyé, tabassé, mutilé, découpé etc telle ou telle victime… ou bien en passe de commettre telle ou telle atrocité.

    En effet, la répétition s’installe et on a surtout l’impression d’assister à un duo des inspecteurs Derrick et Columbo… (fussent-ils du FBI ou non, ça ne change rien à l’affaire). Par ailleurs, la série s’étale trop sur la vie privée de nos flics (et de la femme universitaire) avec par dessus le marché un agenda sous-jacent SJW et woke trop appuyé (et trop évident).

    De fait, on baille trop souvent aux corneilles malgré un nombre limité d’épisodes (19 sur deux saisons pour l’instant) ; la série loupe le coche et s’étire en longueurs inutiles malgré le soin de sa mise en scène et les comédiens qui font de leur mieux. Il faut dire aussi que sa lenteur générale n’aide pas non plus ! mon esprit s’est barré ailleurs…    … Expand
  2. All_ButTrU4
    Jan 4, 2022
    8
    A lot of shows of this caliber take a few episodes to warm up but Mindhunter is fully formed from the jump. I'm not really into serial killer stories so I was glad to find out that this is so much more than that. Some of the smartest dialogue I've seen in a drama in a long time with perfectly casted actors to sell it.
  3. geewah
    Jan 9, 2021
    10
    Brilliant.
    One of 2017's best shows.
    Moody cimematography, captivating dialogue and an engrossing story combine to give Netflix their best show to date.
  4. MeritCoba
    Nov 9, 2020
    9
    I made up a rule of the thumb about series which says that given enough time, they develop into drama. Usually very fake drama too.

    Not so Mindhunter: Season 1. Yes, there is some of it, but it never takes center stage. The core story; that of the group of FBI agents who work for the Behavioral Science Unit who start to explore the minds of serial killers as to better understand them, is    I made up a rule of the thumb about series which says that given enough time, they develop into drama. Usually very fake drama too.

    Not so Mindhunter: Season 1. Yes, there is some of it, but it never takes center stage. The core story; that of the group of FBI agents who work for the Behavioral Science Unit who start to explore the minds of serial killers as to better understand them, is just fascinating. Not only because this is new territory - a new frontier - but those serial killers seem able to play with your mind while you try to understand their. It is akin to delving into forbidden knowledge that cannot leave you unscathed. Almost feels Lovecraftian. The core of the team is formed by the special agent Bill Tench, a seasoned officer and special agent Holden Ford, who is the young brilliant one.
    The two play off each other well, not always without arguments. Tench brings experience and common sense that allows Ford wild hunches to deliver results.

    The key fascination is however the interviews with the serial killers such as Ed Kemper. David Cameron plays him and he rightly has been nominated as best guest actor for the role. These interviews are the central moments for this series. The series does not dwell on these interviews alone. The knowledge is used in various cases, sometimes with success and sometimes without it.

    Possible the least used character is Wendy Carr. While Anna Torv is able to capture the camera, her role as Carr seems underdeveloped. She should have been the third in a trio, but she often feels more like a hindrance and shoved in. As if the writers felt inspired by Sherlock Holmes and then got told they had to work a woman into the story. Tacked on, so to speak.

    I liked this first season very much and would recommend it.    … Expand
  5. AWESOM-0
    Jan 1, 2020
    9
    Very, very cool show. This view of the FBI was always interesting to me and I’m looking forward to the next season!
  6. ComandanteCobra
    Aug 27, 2019
    9
    Well made thriller.
    Adult theme, intellectual, good costumes and dialogues. It's interesting to know a little more about how criminal sociological theory about serial killers was born.
  7. GrantD243
    Aug 23, 2019
    10
    The best crime-based show I've watched since the first season of True Detective. David Fincher is one of the best of this generation.
  8. JulianIncen
    May 5, 2019
    9
    The episodes directed by David Fincher, the colors used in the shots, the personalization they made on the serial killers, the contrast of personalities between Hold and Tench and an ending that made me get out of bed. For that and much more, it's worth marathoning with it.
  9. michaelinperson
    Apr 27, 2019
    8
    Mindhunter is a growing thriller-esque crime drama that never sees the day of light, to set the tone. This offers a chance for relationships and chemistry to shine through, whether with spouse or peer. One thing for sure is Mindhunter is steadily withheld in its own lane; those lengthy scenes of interrogation are highly necessarily in appropriating the series as doing it risky when itMindhunter is a growing thriller-esque crime drama that never sees the day of light, to set the tone. This offers a chance for relationships and chemistry to shine through, whether with spouse or peer. One thing for sure is Mindhunter is steadily withheld in its own lane; those lengthy scenes of interrogation are highly necessarily in appropriating the series as doing it risky when it seems to not.… Expand
  10. kaanelif
    Mar 1, 2019
    9
    It pays off very well. The series on the new FBI unit in the 1970s contains coolness and intelligence. This exquisite taste that has been brought most of the northern european series and film.
    The development of atmosphere and characters is harmonious.
  11. asmanraj
    Jan 6, 2019
    10
    Along with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, this is my favorite Netflix original series to date. This show is mesmerizing and underrated. I'm eagerly awaiting the second season.
  12. GarethB
    Oct 7, 2018
    7
    Starts strongly and sadly loses impetus at the end. Tense and thrilling and times but can often gives way to tedium.
  13. sultan09
    Sep 8, 2018
    9
    Fascinating stuff, superb directing and written very thoughtfully, the origin of criminal profiling and the study of criminal psychology sketched out brilliantly, this show is not for everyone though, and in the end you do get the lesson - don't play with fire!
  14. Ninteundo
    Apr 22, 2018
    9
    Once you get through the first episode (which is pretty bad) you'll find yourself binging the entire show in one sitting.
  15. Elbobbo
    Apr 4, 2018
    7
    By interviewing imprisoned serial killers, they hope to better understand criminals to be able to help with ongoing cases.

    Have you ever pretended to be someone else? Erving Goffman wrote The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, published in 1959. The book discussed how we play a performance in our day to day lives, and play a role with the different people we interact with. Before we    By interviewing imprisoned serial killers, they hope to better understand criminals to be able to help with ongoing cases.

    Have you ever pretended to be someone else? Erving Goffman wrote The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, published in 1959. The book discussed how we play a performance in our day to day lives, and play a role with the different people we interact with. Before we get to why I bring up Goffman’s work, let's discuss why Mindhunter is one of the more nuanced crime television series; and why you should watch it.

    Mindhunter is a Netflix original that is a cross between Criminal Minds and Lie to Me, infusing the elements of behavioural psychology from Lie to Me, and the sociological and behavioural pattern elements from Criminal Minds.

    If you appreciate long-form storytelling focusing more on human drama than on action scenes, and you're a bit of a science nerd, then Mindhunter is for you. One of the show’s producers, David Fincher, is known for his great serial killer-centric dramas. However, if you’re expecting something along the lines of ‘Se7en,’ you might be disappointed, but if you enjoyed ‘Zodiac’, then you’re in for a treat.

    Set in the 1970’s, Mindhunter follows two FBI agents, Holden Ford and Bill Tench, along with psychologist Wendy Carr. They want to improve the FBI’s understanding in criminal science and behaviour, known now as criminal psychology. Goffman distinguishes between two approaches to acting out social roles – sincerity and cynicism.

    Cynical individuals do not invest ‘themselves’ in their roles, they are acting with a means to another end, which can either be for self-gain (like a con-man) or for the benefit of the people around them, like a strict teacher or in this case an FBI agent.

    Ford is such a straight-laced individual that there’s a recurring joke in the show that no one can believe he was born in New York. When we first meet Holden Ford, it’s at a hostage situation that goes awry. Ford fails to prevent the suicide of Cody Miller. When Ford returns to his FBI base in Fredericksburg, Virginia where the unit chief of the FBI National Training Academy, Shepard, considers the "negotiation" a success as Ford prevented the loss of innocent life.

    Shepard makes Ford a hostage negotiation teacher. While at the academy, a class which delves into the minds of killers such as Son of Sam catches Ford’s interest. It was through this interest of understanding the minds of criminals that Ford is recommended to talk to another agent Bill Tench.

    Goffman would describe Bill Tench as a sincere individual, the audience might consider it as cynical. Goffman postulated that sincere individuals actually believe their act is an expression of their own identity, and truly want others to believe this too. Tench comes across as a hardened agent, he’s not. This is an important factor within the team’s dynamic when investigating their subjects.

    Goffman would refer to Ford’s characterisation as a "shill," a member of the team who "provides a visible model for the audience of the kind of response the performers are seeking." This promotes psychological excitement for the realisation of a generally monetary, goal, as an example of a "discrepant role" in the team, in each circumstance, in the case of Holden, it seems like ego.

    The individual assumes a front that is perceived to enhance the group's performance. It is these successes that cause problems for the team and their dynamics. Especially Ford’s relationships he develops with a certain serial killer.

    Mindhunters has different elements that make it less formulaic like Criminal Minds. Mindhunters has been renewed for a second season, which is great news. The show has set up many interesting storylines that leave audiences wanting to kill for more. If you have the time and patience to sit back and discover the men behind the monsters, you’ll start to realise that everyone in this show has a performance to play.    … Expand
  16. Ascospore
    Mar 18, 2018
    9
    Outstanding series, for all the most compelling reasons - historical set design, photography, plot, dialogue, atmosphere and intelligent acting. Fincher isn't going to come at you from the shadows in a clown mask to unsettle you - he's just going to play you a genuine tape recording.
  17. eva3si0n
    Mar 15, 2018
    9
    One of the best series of 2017. Perhaps here I have seen the best dialogues of characters in series. I didn't see such deep, realistic and psychological series long ago. At once David Ffincher's work is visible. The series stylistics very much remind the Zodiac of 2007.
  18. ellamarsh
    Mar 5, 2018
    9
    absolute must-see! eagerly awaiting the next season...I LOVE slow burn shows!
  19. WalterTSolley
    Feb 3, 2018
    9
    Having finished all of “Mindhunter: Season 1”, I am very excited for the release of Season 2. I am a huge fan of David Fincher, and this loose adaptation of John Douglas’ fact based memoir, is another unqualified success. Like all of Fincher’s projects, “Mindhunter” unfolds at a pace dictated by the story. And here, that story about the birth of the FBI’s elite serial crime unit, is asHaving finished all of “Mindhunter: Season 1”, I am very excited for the release of Season 2. I am a huge fan of David Fincher, and this loose adaptation of John Douglas’ fact based memoir, is another unqualified success. Like all of Fincher’s projects, “Mindhunter” unfolds at a pace dictated by the story. And here, that story about the birth of the FBI’s elite serial crime unit, is as leisurely as it is fascinating. Don’t expect unfettered action and mindless gore. Instead, “Mindhunter” excels in character development, fine acting, exceptional writing, and Fincher’s trademark dedication to period detail. There is enough thoughtful action and matter-of-fact violence to keep the average viewer involved, but it will appeal primarily to viewers searching for intelligent programming and overall verisimilitude.… Expand
  20. cjm64
    Feb 1, 2018
    2
    Bloody awful, like a made-for-tv movie. Slow. Bland. Wooden acting. Bad dialogue and far too much of it. I forced myself to finish the first episode in case it got better. It didn't. Maybe it eventually improves, but I'm not sticking around to find out. There's too much other good TV out there to watch.
  21. skykappah
    Jan 5, 2018
    10
    Stunning, just stunning, everything about it. Sit back as we are taken on an eye opening macabre journey of how profiling and criminal psychology first started.
    My only gripe is that it's only 10 episodes short.... I could watch an episode a day for years on end.
  22. BioTofu
    Dec 28, 2017
    9
    + David Fincher directed a few of them
    + Convincing and relatable characters
    + Smart subtle character development + Very good pacing No plot spoilers but I do mention some basic relationships between characters and specific scenes from the show FYI. My favorite show of 2017. great cinematography, fitting music, interesting character development, smooth pacing, engaging story (i    + David Fincher directed a few of them
    + Convincing and relatable characters
    + Smart subtle character development
    + Very good pacing

    No plot spoilers but I do mention some basic relationships between characters and specific scenes from the show FYI.

    My favorite show of 2017. great cinematography, fitting music, interesting character development, smooth pacing, engaging story (i was afraid that it would get bogged down too much half way like in Zodiac).

    To me, the best element of the shows its characters, Holden, Bill and Wendy. The secondary characters such as Holden’s gf Debbie, the FBI colleague Greg, FBI director Sherpard, and the “fascinating” cast of serial killers all add so much to the story and character development. Characters are very different from each other but were swiftly established with minimal boring lazy expositions. They are all memorable in different ways. It is so satisfying to watch how the 3 main characters change in their professional life and personal life throughout the season. I’d like to compare True Detective to this as both are about 2 detectives solving serial killer crime. I couldnt bear to continue watching True Detective after S01E01 because I found the 2 main detectives too unrelatable, and found their conflict in belief too frustrating to watch.

    Here, you get why characters do what they do, say what they say. External influence shapes them as the story progress, I can understand the characters. It is an interesting journey to learn about the backgrounds, motivation, ideas, goals, through carefully, consistently and convincingly constructed scenes. To shape the characters for the audience to learn about them, the directors make very good and subtle use of visuals, story telling and sound elements, such as:
    1. The composition of the shots: I love the one where Bill hugs his son outside his house on the lawn where he looked so small;
    2. The symbolism of locations: Bill feels small at home because he is frustrated that he knows more about murderers than his own son;
    3. Sounds: the director usually starts the prison visit with Holden and Bill parking their car and walking through security, the supposedly mundane day to day sounds of door opening, footsteps, keys hitting the counter, people yelling, become the ritualistic sound of Holden’s ascending (or descending?!) transformation.

    Talking about Holdens transformation, the higher he goes professionally, the lower he gets in his personal life as his work impacts his relationships with Debbie and Bill. BUT! He has to ethically go low in order to learn about the killers so he can climb up to be a better detective.

    The acting on this shows top grade. I enjoy the prison visitations so much. Those interviews, the conversations and interactions, were so finely crafted with amazing dialogues. I really enjoyed the portrayal of the killers on screen.

    The shows focus is not on crime solving like How To Get Away With Murder, but on the characters, the writers merely using the crime solving setting to shape the characters. We might not catch the criminal at the end of the episode, but we always learn more about the characters.

    Shows worth rewatching are always on my A list and Mindhunter certainly belongs to it.    … Expand
  23. Rtab
    Dec 11, 2017
    10
    While not historically correct in its time-line, the series get the late 1970's right. Lots of old cars, constant smoking everywhere imaginable, music etc. Some great portrayals of serial killers and good acting from the leads.
  24. jaasieljunior
    Dec 3, 2017
    9
    Midhunter é tão incrivelmente instigante que você acaba questionando tudo ao redor da série. Cada minuto é milimetrado e necessário para a continuidade da série,embora o piloto seja extremamente cansativo.Midhunter acerta também nos atores envolvidos e embora um 9 seja uma ótima nota,as próximas temporadas poderão ser superiores a season1.
  25. TheTalentBank
    Nov 29, 2017
    10
    This was one of the best new series I have seen in ages. The main characters are incredibly well drawn and the relationship between them really well thought out.

    Mindhunter is a brutal and grisly look into the mind of serial killers and is very dark but what strikes you the most is the level of detail and the meticulous research that must have gone into making it. It is gripping and    This was one of the best new series I have seen in ages. The main characters are incredibly well drawn and the relationship between them really well thought out.

    Mindhunter is a brutal and grisly look into the mind of serial killers and is very dark but what strikes you the most is the level of detail and the meticulous research that must have gone into making it.

    It is gripping and exciting with good dialogue and plotting. Can't wait for season 2.    … Expand
  26. TI490M
    Nov 28, 2017
    9
    What a great show! first two eps were boring to watch but then it all changed, it is amazing how a tv show about Serial Killers barely shows some action/crimes and still is amazing, the dialogues are amazing the pictures are genius and ofc the acting is superb!
  27. almircampos
    Nov 25, 2017
    4
    This is my original review at Netflix:
    What??? Two stars only??? Yes, that's my final rating for this series, where *final* is the keyword.
    Actually, I started with five stars for similar reasons as other reviewers. However, after three or four episodes the behavior of the characters became very repetitive and predictable, but I was able to have some moments of joy because of the    This is my original review at Netflix:
    What??? Two stars only??? Yes, that's my final rating for this series, where *final* is the keyword.

    Actually, I started with five stars for similar reasons as other reviewers. However, after three or four episodes the behavior of the characters became very repetitive and predictable, but I was able to have some moments of joy because of the successes they were achieving. So, I dropped only one star.

    The real problem started when, aside from repetitive and negative (sometimes nonsense) behavior, even the successes became predictable and boring. So, by episode 7 I had dropped one more star from my rating.

    Finally, in the episodes 8 and 9, the script used the same formula 'ad nauseam' and, worse, no significant steps on the research, and several loose ends. I could only hope that in a magical movement the loose ends would be tied in the last episode of the season. So, one star was gone.

    At this point, I was giving only two stars. During the last (10th) episode I was ready to get rid of one more star. I didn't - as an act of charity - because the last 10 or 15 minutes could lead to more interesting things in the next season.

    Sincerely, I felt kind of betrayed by the director after the 6th or 7th episode, when the series became closer to a soap-opera than to a crime series that catches you. I have no intention of waiting about 10 to 12 months to see the continuation of the story.

    In sum: the story didn't close any important point, it carries you through a lot of predictable frustrations in the last three episodes, and you have only a vague idea of when or if the writers are going to be interested in catching you again.

    So, I hope you can read some other bad and good reviews and find for yourself what's important to you in this type of series. For me, it didn't work well.    … Expand
  28. RokuGuru
    Nov 24, 2017
    7
    Halfway through episode 1 I turned this off, saying to myself "i'd rather watch Dexter for the 5th time". But I decided to give it another try. The scenes with the girlfriend are painful to watch, but the subject matter is interesting, given that it's based on real people. Compelling at times; not the best series but filler while you're waiting for something better.
  29. Bojack_Horseman
    Nov 23, 2017
    10
    What I like about this show is that it doesn't show all the gory and inhumane details and leaves them for the viewers to imagine, and the well written dialogues and great cast doesn't hurt either.
  30. JorgeLestre
    Nov 23, 2017
    9
    Mindhunter is compelling as it is dark and tense. A thriller led by the flawless David Fincher that tackles one of the most challenging themes in contemporary television.
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Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best TV Season of 2017
16
#16 Most Discussed TV Season of 2017
14
#14 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Troy Patterson
    Dec 15, 2017
    80
    “All the world is not, of course, a stage, but the crucial ways in which it isn’t are not easy to specify.” The writers (led by Penhall) and the directors (who include David Fincher) of “Mindhunter” play with this and related ideas about masks, frames, screens, and true selves in a distinct tone. As the show flows from mode to mode--slow-burn horror, arch workplace comedy, buddy-cop road movie--it returns its attention to performers, and to the daily problem of giving an audience what it wants.
    Read full review
  2. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Chuck Bowen
    Oct 23, 2017
    88
    Mindhunter is addictive and resonant for its mining of two evocative forms of social contrast. The terrific cast informs Fincher and creator Joe Penhall's sociological schematic with a human element that's unusual for a crime procedural, and the series has a piercing sense of how macro influences micro culture.
    Read full review
  3. Slate
    Reviewed by: Willa Paskin
    Oct 20, 2017
    80
    It’s a head trip, a cerebral consideration of all the terrifying things that can go wrong inside the minds of murderers and men. ... Mindhunter locates its drama in interrogations. The show is, in essence, a string of short plays, two- and three-handers featuring Ford, Tench, and a vile murderer in a room.
    Read full review
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