True Detective

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 12, 2014
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 2021 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,907 out of 2021
  2. Mixed: 46 out of 2021
  3. Negative: 68 out of 2021
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Buy on
Stream On

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. Gamingsince1980
    Nov 30, 2014
    10
    Quite possibly the best show on TV for the last two decades, and yes that includes Breaking Bad. The work exudes dark mystery and thought-provoking writing and perspectives on life from the very start, and the intricate often beautiful web woven around the story arc is just stunning. But what sets this apart from everything is McConnaughey. Where the hell did this performance come from, atQuite possibly the best show on TV for the last two decades, and yes that includes Breaking Bad. The work exudes dark mystery and thought-provoking writing and perspectives on life from the very start, and the intricate often beautiful web woven around the story arc is just stunning. But what sets this apart from everything is McConnaughey. Where the hell did this performance come from, at time it seems like he's channeling an alien presence, so otherworldly is his delivery and the potency of his annunciation. The drag on his cigarette alone will have actors studying this piece and doubtless replicating monologues in auditions for many years to come. So to watch True Detective is to witness the groundbreaking culmination of two men's worth but otherwise slightly ailing careers brought to life, like a pair of phoenix rising from the ashes of the burning cain fields in which the story opens. The creator Pizolatto should be praised for changing the face of television with nods to Neitze and quantum cosmology, and there are subtle nods to other game changers such as Twin Peaks, although not blatantly obvious, throughout the piece. This is a work which demands repeat viewing, and I still come back for more as often as I can. The new series with its new cast and storyline may or may not build on this greatness, but at this point it hardly seems to matter, given the finite nature of the story, one can only marvel at this and dream of what could come next from this beautiful and dark, clearly very complex mind behind the show.… Expand
  2. MattBrady99
    Mar 10, 2015
    10
    HBO always makes the best TV intros I've seen and this is no different.

    This show in my opinion is the best TV show that I've seen since Breaking Bad. I mean watching True Detective was like watching the movie Seven, Zodiac and Silence of The Lambs all in one. My favorite character in this show and of all time has to be Rust Cohle played Matthew McConaughey. His Character was just like    HBO always makes the best TV intros I've seen and this is no different.

    This show in my opinion is the best TV show that I've seen since Breaking Bad. I mean watching True Detective was like watching the movie Seven, Zodiac and Silence of The Lambs all in one. My favorite character in this show and of all time has to be Rust Cohle played Matthew McConaughey. His Character was just like me in real life, like he makes deep Quotes and he sees the world in a different and deep way that nobody could think of, just like me. Woody Harrelson and the other cast in the show did a fantastic job as well. At times the character's in the show didn't feel like TV character's, they act and react like normal people, because some TV shows the character's are normally bland or unrealistic. The writing in this show is some of the best writing I've seen since Breaking Bad and the TV show Sherlock. I tried to find some things that I didn't like in the show and I got to be honest I couldn't find any.    … Expand
  3. stewartwilson
    Mar 23, 2015
    10
    One of my favourites, I watched the first episode, was hooked, and could not stop. Each and every week, I found myself coming back, wanting to know what would happen next. I wish more shows were this good
  4. ozennymous
    Jun 22, 2015
    10
    Actuaciones de primer nivel: Nunca fui un fan de McConneghy, pero en esta serie es realmente brillante.
    La dirección, la fotografía, el guión son excelentes. En el aire siempre flota una suerte de presencia sobrenatural y maléfica. Este efecto está perfectamente logrado en una atmósfera estilo "Gothic Americana".
  5. BariscanBozkurt
    Jun 1, 2016
    10
    Başyapıt Dizilerden Birisi
    Pek nadir olan derin karakter tiplemelerine ve buna çok katkısı olsan eşsiz oyunculuğun yanında, kaliteli atmosfere ve kurguya sahip. Dizi bittiğinde Suç-Felsefi-Dram üzerine kurulu bir roman okumuş gibi hissetmeniz muhtemel ve bunu yapabilen bir kaç dizi var. True Detective bu konuda en iyisi. Bu söylediklerim elbette 1.Sezon için geçerli.
  6. MiamiLopez
    Aug 10, 2015
    10
    Acting is off the charts for Season 1 True detective.

    THumbs up..> WAAAYYY up. Also the story line has balance, and dips and dives. It is a complete. And this season 1 True Detective will knock your socks off.
  7. sendintheclowns
    Sep 4, 2015
    10
    At the risk of repetition, this is tv at its best. I look for a sense of place and the acting, screenplay, laconic pacing combine to provide it. You want it to move faster. But you' be damned if it ends too soon. It joins my Premier league of TV shows: The Wire, Deadwood, Twilight Zone, Hannibal, American Horror, Fargo.
  8. mazewaxie
    Dec 23, 2020
    10
    Pizzolatto's writing and Fukunaga's direction are outstanding, not to mention the acting performances of McConaughey and Harrelson. A true gem.
  9. Mulholland2603
    Dec 26, 2015
    10
    Wonderful. The best production of the last years and not only in film tv category (better than films that won the oscar in several past years). Great actors, great story, great photografy. Wonderful.Extraordinary.
  10. Metayerju
    Dec 28, 2015
    10
    Can t think about any better serie created than this one. You start, you will see the end for sure, as the plot and athmosphere are Addictive, unique, perfect.
  11. SergioV
    Feb 17, 2016
    10
    True Detective Season 1 is the best TV I've ever seen. Both lead performances are amazing, cinematography is dark and mysterious, the directing by Fukunaga is unparalleled. Simply awesome television.
  12. Izago
    Jan 14, 2019
    10
    isto é incrivel, melher serie policial e com as melhores atuações de todos os tempo.
  13. buddhalou
    Jan 21, 2019
    10
    Not sure how much more perfect a TV series can be. First season is outstanding.
  14. ShetlandViking
    Mar 24, 2016
    10
    There's something iconic about this first season. The visuals, the two detectives, the soundtrack, the atmosphere. I found the plot hard to follow the first time watching it, so watching it a second time on Blu-Ray along with the behind-the-scenes extras was a rewarding experience.
  15. farzyy12
    Apr 11, 2016
    10
    Never had I been so captivated by a TV show.
    This series is literally on another level of TV. It felt like a book except on video.
    The dialogue, the cinematography and the story.. when it all came together, you are just left with a taste in your mouth that you just can't describe. Pay attention, this isn't a normal TV show, everything you see, everything you hear matters in some way    Never had I been so captivated by a TV show.
    This series is literally on another level of TV. It felt like a book except on video.

    The dialogue, the cinematography and the story.. when it all came together, you are just left with a taste in your mouth that you just can't describe. Pay attention, this isn't a normal TV show, everything you see, everything you hear matters in some way or another.
    A picture can mean a 1000 words and this series tells a whole lot more.

    Most people thought that the villain was just an average bad guy type villain we usually see in a crime drama, except it was just not that simple. "We got our one.." and that's what they did, they only got their one. Ultimately, in a larger scheme, the dark had won over the light. The 'good' guys lost in several ways, yet only won in one scenario.

    Cary Fukanaga's direction surely played a big role in telling the story, however it was Nic Pizzolatto that brought such a masterpiece into our lives. Brilliant writing, direction and acting. Truly felt like a horror crime drama in the sense that such a demented cult could've existed at one point in our time.    … Expand
  16. jmooney
    Jun 8, 2016
    10
    We loved this season. All of the actors were well suited to their roles and very convincing. Vince Vaughn should receive an award for his outstanding performance.
  17. cottandy
    Oct 13, 2017
    10
    The first season is just brilliant. It gives you everything you could desire from a movie like that: an interesting plot, drama, the best acting, deep philosophical thoughts of the main charismatic character and the most atmospheric series you have ever seen. If you want to be fascinated, watch "True Detective: Season 1".
  18. daviddelnorte23
    Feb 16, 2017
    10
    Esos diálogos... es lo primero que se me viene a la cabeza al pensar en 'True Detective', increibles diálogos y una apabullante madurez en el trato de los personajes, el como se trata la condición humana, el quien somos, adonde vamos, de donde venimos...etc.

    Las interpretaciones son increibles, el personaje de Macconaughey es ESPECTACULAR como también lo es el personaje de Woody    Esos diálogos... es lo primero que se me viene a la cabeza al pensar en 'True Detective', increibles diálogos y una apabullante madurez en el trato de los personajes, el como se trata la condición humana, el quien somos, adonde vamos, de donde venimos...etc.

    Las interpretaciones son increibles, el personaje de Macconaughey es ESPECTACULAR como también lo es el personaje de Woody Harrelson. Y otro personaje del que nadie habla pero para mi es brutal, que es el de Michelle Monaghan.

    En cuanto a la trama esta de sobra a la altura del resto con un tono religioso muy profundo, con un excelente guión donde nada desafina y con algún momento bastante perturbador con las niñas...

    Personalmente, es de las mejores series "independientes" que he visto y por favor, el famoso PLANO SECUENCIA... Silencio.    … Expand
  19. stevenf49
    May 25, 2018
    10
    The characters Rust and Marty are two of the best duos ever to appear on T.V. .(Luther and Alice from LUTHER also are at the top.) This show is part ofThe Golden Age of Television. The landscape/cinematograpy, music, lighting, dialogue are all THE BEST one could hope for. CaryFukunaga, the director, is an Artist. We want more of this !
  20. truefilm101
    May 13, 2017
    10
    Outstanding, riveting performances from a stellar cast and a twisty, non-linear narrative kept me glued to my seat. Requires more than one viewing to fully appreciate the richly nuanced dialogue and textured storytelling techniques.
  21. BeastJ18
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    The best season in television history. McConaughey and Harrelson give two of the greatest performances ever, the writing is as consistent and intelligent as it can possibly be. The direction is on another level to anything we've seen on TV before. Everything works to an unprecedented level of enjoyability and critical success. Season 2 lets this show down immensely. Season 1 delivers 8The best season in television history. McConaughey and Harrelson give two of the greatest performances ever, the writing is as consistent and intelligent as it can possibly be. The direction is on another level to anything we've seen on TV before. Everything works to an unprecedented level of enjoyability and critical success. Season 2 lets this show down immensely. Season 1 delivers 8 episodes of near perfection.… Expand
  22. annbd
    Jun 29, 2018
    10
    True Detective is simply the best detective crime-drama TV-series so far. It consists of two separate seasons, both of 8 episodes - not much for an ordinary series, but enough for a criminal one. And while the two seasons are written by one person, the quality of the two differs significantly. So In few words: first season - captivating, sufficiently comprehensive in all episodes,True Detective is simply the best detective crime-drama TV-series so far. It consists of two separate seasons, both of 8 episodes - not much for an ordinary series, but enough for a criminal one. And while the two seasons are written by one person, the quality of the two differs significantly. So In few words: first season - captivating, sufficiently comprehensive in all episodes, extremely well built as a story and.. great ending; second season - do not waste your time, nothing like the first season, absolute crap I would say. But because the two seasons have nothing in common, there is no problem to miss the second season, that would disappoint with it's non-originality and puzzled you with it's boredom completely.… Expand
  23. Ci3cco
    May 22, 2019
    10
    Simply Amazing. i Can't imagine a more perfect human-made thing since all the plot and even the minimum particular is studied perfectly.. and fits into the main story. Perfect.
  24. deusem
    Mar 8, 2019
    10
    One of the best seasons of any TV show. The casting is perfect and the story sucks you into the True Detective universe. With mysterious references to Weird fiction and the Cthulhu mythos it's a must watch for any fan of thrilling and strange mysteries.
  25. HackFraud
    Apr 1, 2019
    10
    Best psychological thriller I've ever seen, and my favorite detective "movie" :).
  26. DPG
    Oct 8, 2019
    10
    With greatest performances,a interesting story,realistics situations,life lessions,characters with a well developed personality,A MASTER PIECE!
  27. cfGhost
    Jun 26, 2020
    10
    Kind of slow paced, but an incredibly well made show, fantastic actor performance and brilliant plot. Favourite show!
  28. Pagaille21
    May 21, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Season 1 is a masterclass in television. Both protagonists are layered and nuanced. The interwoven story is fantastic.… Expand
  29. geewah
    Jan 10, 2021
    10
    Brilliant.
    Fantastic writing, superb cinematography and well acted.
    One of 2014's best shows.
  30. Mankind_divided
    Oct 22, 2021
    10
    This series has everything. Dark and gritty, good story, interesting philosophical banter, great cast and great cinematography. I wish more TV series for a mature audience were made like this and don't treat you like a child and water things down.
Page:

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best TV Season of 2014
1
#1 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
5
#5 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 41 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 41
  3. Negative: 1 out of 41
  1. The Lincoln Journal Star
    Reviewed by: Jeff Korbelik
    Mar 27, 2014
    100
    The drama is quite riveting.
    Read full review
  2. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Emily Nussbaum
    Mar 27, 2014
    30
    Whatever the length of the show’s much admired tracking shot (six minutes, uncut!), it feels less hardboiled than softheaded. Which might be O.K. if True Detective were dumb fun, but, good God, it’s not: it’s got so much gravitas it could run for President.
    Read full review
  3. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Brian Tallerico
    Feb 20, 2014
    100
    HBO's program is not just an actor's showcase for two greats. It is dense, complex, rewarding storytelling, heightened by a sense of location from its writer and director that is mesmerizing and a character-driven storytelling aesthetic that brings to mind great films like David Fincher's "Zodiac" and Bong Joon-ho's "Memories of Murder."
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »