The Killing: Season 1

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 29 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 400 Ratings

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8.1

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 400 Ratings

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The Killing: Missing

Now Playing: The Killing: Missing

Season Details & Credits

AMC | Netflix | Season Premiere Date: April 3, 2011

Starring: Michelle Forbes, Bill Campbell, Brent Sexton

Summary: Based on the Danish series, The Killing follows the investigation of the murder of a young girl named Rosie Larsen day by day.

Creator: Søren Sveistrup and Søren Sveistrup

Genre(s): Drama, Suspense

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E13. Orpheus Descending
Air Date: June 19, 2011
tbd
S1:E12. Beau Soleil
Air Date: June 12, 2011
tbd
S1:E11. Missing
Air Date: June 5, 2011

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Metascore

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Mixed:

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Critic Reviews

100

Robert Bianco

Mar 31, 2011

What sets The Killing apart are its steady sense of dread, its dense atmospherics--that feeling that rain may at any moment pour from our sets--and its beautifully drawn characters. Read full review

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Mar 31, 2011

The disparate detectives of The Killing may have their own means and methods of getting to the bottom of this. But the overall air of believability is palpable from the start. All the better for taking a deep breath and diving right in. Read full review

Rob Owen

Apr 4, 2011

Even on the rare occasions when those shows [like CSI or Law & Order] tell stories involving the death of a child, they're almost never as raw, palpable and grim as The Killing, an engrossing, well-made drama series that viewers should embrace despite its tough subject matter. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Apr 1, 2011

There's considerable strength in the performances (Forbes and Sexton are especially good), while delivering a reminder how TV can tease out such a narrative in a way almost no other medium can. Read full review

Troy Patterson

Apr 5, 2011

In the suspenseful early hours of The Killing, Rosie's family goes about its bereavement in muted tones, and a subplot about a mayoral candidate drawn into the crime's eccentric orbit flashes with potential, and, primarily, our expectations for cop shows are teased, gratified, and artfully upended. Read full review

Cynthia Fuchs

Apr 4, 2011

If the premise is standard--an excellent cop is dragged back in, just when she's headed out, in this case, from the Northwest's renowned rain to California's sunshine--the details are insistently odd and creepy. Read full review

Alan Sepinwall

Apr 1, 2011

So the atmosphere and central performances feel worthy of telling one story over 13 hours. My concern is whether the story can say the same. Read full review

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User Score

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8.1

User Reviews

throwinken

May 23, 2011

While the show starts off as a Twin Peaks knock off with a lot of Mireille Enos staring off into space, it quickly begins to carve out a niche of its own. In a world where TV Crime Dramas are dominated by brash and wise cracking cops, The Killing is a breath of fresh air. It's not a showWhile the show starts off as a Twin Peaks knock off with a lot of Mireille Enos staring off into space, it quickly begins to carve out a niche of its own. In a world where TV Crime Dramas are dominated by brash and wise cracking cops, The Killing is a breath of fresh air. It's not a show about solving a murder, but rather and show about how one girl's murder impacts a city. It won't appeal to everyone (or even most people), but for those that it does work for it is fantastic.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

LeahAndNic

Jun 20, 2011

I watched the entire series and could not wait for each upcoming episode. And the season finale was just the best icing on any cake. Way to finish it. I can't wait for it's return. Yes there is a lot of raining. Yes it's very dark. Yes it's not C.S.I. and it's paced very slowly. It'sI watched the entire series and could not wait for each upcoming episode. And the season finale was just the best icing on any cake. Way to finish it. I can't wait for it's return. Yes there is a lot of raining. Yes it's very dark. Yes it's not C.S.I. and it's paced very slowly. It's more like Mystic River in it's plotting. It's extremely depressing at moments. But it's emotionally thorough. It's smart too. The police work seems to me what an exhausting mysterious case would be for a dedicated detective. And I felt compassion for her trying to be a parent and be a dedicated detective. I can understand where people are not interested. It's not just quick resolutions every Night. It's an emotional roller coaster and at times gut-wrenching and challenging. It's everything I would choose over Hawaii-50, C.S.I. or any standard television. I'll be back for sure.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

JennetP

Apr 5, 2011

The critics have it right this time: "The Killing" is compelling television. Subtle and intricate without ever seeming slow, the series manages something rarely seen outside of Shakespeare: the sense of a single death having tainted an entire city, from the corridors of power to theThe critics have it right this time: "The Killing" is compelling television. Subtle and intricate without ever seeming slow, the series manages something rarely seen outside of Shakespeare: the sense of a single death having tainted an entire city, from the corridors of power to the hallways of the local high school, even the weather. Normally, I'm annoyed when the media depict Seattle as a place of hard rain, as its precipitation falls mostly as drizzle, but the torrents have a role to play in the series, not as pathetic fallacy, but as something apocalyptic, nature out of control and dangerous. As for more conventional role-playing, I can't cheer loudly enough about the casting, especially the two lead detectives. Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman give unusually raw, intelligent performances, demonstrating by contrast how used to bad acting we've become here in the US. Enos's senior detective, divided between longing for a gentler life and intimacy with violent death, serves as a master class in restraint, hinting at depths of understanding and compassion while maintaining the hard surface the job requires. Kinnaman's young gun is more brash, a badge-wearing bad boy emboldened by success working undercover narcotics and willing to cross ethical lines to solve cases. She's a little bit frumpy, and he's a little bit sleazy, which is brave and absolutely perfect. I'll admit, I don't see much of "Twin Peaks" here, outside the fact that the plot revolves around the body of a murdered girl in water. But "The Killing" lacks TP's quirky characters and fascination with the surreal, and its metaphysics are more "King Lear" than "The Lotus Sutra." The two series do have in common a respect for viewers' intelligence and for the artistic achievement possible in television when those involved are willing to take some real risks. Thank you, thank you, thank you.… Expand

17 of 25 users found this helpful178

Arefin_Mahmud

Feb 10, 2021

This first season is absolutely delicious. A must watch. It’s a shame none of the next ones could maintain the same high caliber due to weaknesses in the storyline even though the acting was consistently top-notch.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

cantsellit

Apr 7, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The more I think about this show, the more I think of flaws - but, I've rated the first two episodes with an "8", so I'm still feeling pretty positive. But in the spirit of playing, "Devil's Advocate", I'll mention some of what I didn't like. The ongoing campaign, complete with campaign staff for the City Council President, (I've already forgotten his name) - seemed like a distraction. If they spend too much time on the intrigue within his office, and his ongoing affair with Miss "why is there a blonde on every show on television" - it could be a turn-off. Also, I really don't like Billy Campbell. How can he and Bruce Campbell be related? I don't like kids on TV programs; they can become cloying, and Rosie's two little brothers were no exception. Hope they fade into the background real soon. The incessant rain also drove me a bit crazy - I just don't like rain. But the investigation into the murder of Rosie Larsen could overtake all of the annoyances. I hope this is the primary focus, and that the male replacement for the female lead detective becomes a fully fleshed out character. I liked that he discovered an extremely important bit of evidence on his own. Wasn't Mireille Enos' character supposed to be moving and getting married? Can she be sure to take her son with her? This can be another great AMC original, or it could become Rubicon. Obviously, I'm rooting for the former.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

RobotHamster

Jun 25, 2012

Definitely a show that takes a lot of patience. The start of the series is a bit slow and it took me two tries to finally get into it. Once you have a better sense of the characters and the storyline around episode 4, you'll begin to feel more of a connection with the show, in my opinion.Definitely a show that takes a lot of patience. The start of the series is a bit slow and it took me two tries to finally get into it. Once you have a better sense of the characters and the storyline around episode 4, you'll begin to feel more of a connection with the show, in my opinion. Definitely not a series I would recommend hands down but if you're in between series, I would say check this out.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Why_Not

Apr 27, 2011

I gave this show 0 (zero) cos it's plagiarism of Twin Peaks.

Ok my taste is bad, but so as this show is. I'm not offended by those who say it's great show and that i have no taste since this i don't like, cos they have no arguments, just empty words :You are a looser, Troll or whatever.I gave this show 0 (zero) cos it's plagiarism of Twin Peaks.

Ok my taste is bad, but so as this show is. I'm not offended by those who say it's great show and that i have no taste since this i don't like, cos they have no arguments, just empty words :You are a looser, Troll or whatever. Plus this Laura Palmer is ugly. I don't know why here is so many posts defending this show, i guess they are paid by producers or company AMC that show this series. This already exist in China and their name is "50 cents commentators". Clearly this is plagiarism and it's not debatable, it's fact that any one that sees TP know what this is, so you who defend this TV show you need to defend for couple months more cos it has only one season. Till sponsors and ADs need mass viewers and show us their products that we "desperately" need to buy. Well i wouldn't buy anything that advertise on this show.

This show is lame, without excitement, good music or any acting. It will be ended soon, don't worry. It's too stupid even for America's TV. I watched 3 episodes and i'm not amused not for a second. I have do admit, second season of TP is lame and pointless too. But 1st season is what will last forever, and of course OST.

Long live Angelo Badalamenti and David Lynch… Expand

2 of 17 users found this helpful215

SEE ALL 93 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

72

Series Overview
Season 4

53
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: August 1, 2014
Season 3

69
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: June 2, 2013
Season 2

68
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: April 1, 2012
Season 1

84
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: April 3, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E13. Orpheus Descending
  Air Date: June 19, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E12. Beau Soleil
  Air Date: June 12, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E11. Missing
  Air Date: June 5, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E10. I'll Let You Know When I Get There
  Air Date: May 29, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E9. Undertow
  Air Date: May 22, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E8. Stonewalled
  Air Date: May 15, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E7. Vengeance
  Air Date: May 8, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E6. What You Have Left
  Air Date: May 1, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E5. Super 8
  Air Date: April 24, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E4. A Soundless Echo
  Air Date: April 17, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E3. El Diablo
  Air Date: April 10, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E2. The Cage
  Air Date: April 3, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: April 3, 2011