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
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User Reviews

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  1. UdyrBJJ
    Aug 21, 2023
    10
    Mais que excelente, incrível, a melhor das melhores, está batendo com Breaking Bad, o nível é mais que altíssimo
  2. 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
  3. Hillstead
    Dec 16, 2022
    10
    The First Season of True Detective is perfect from begining to end. The acting, the dark southern gothic cinematography, and a terrifying plot.
  4. 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.
  5. SimboTheKing
    Mar 18, 2021
    8
    Don't get me wrong, this is a very good show. However, I do feel that it was a bit overhyped. It was engaging but I was really expecting something mind-blowing. In this regard, it didn't quite meet my expectations. I do think that it's absolutely worth watching though, even if just for its sheer creativity. The buddy-cop crime drama is a template that has been done to death. Despite this,Don't get me wrong, this is a very good show. However, I do feel that it was a bit overhyped. It was engaging but I was really expecting something mind-blowing. In this regard, it didn't quite meet my expectations. I do think that it's absolutely worth watching though, even if just for its sheer creativity. The buddy-cop crime drama is a template that has been done to death. Despite this, True Detective manages to feel fresh and innovate. The decison to explore the changing relationships of its leads (superbly played by Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey) over the years is both inspired and engaging. It's a method of storytelling that I've not really come across before and it works fantastically well.

    Whilst this is my favourite element there are numerous things the show does that makes it very good: the aforementioned plot and acting, the locations are grim but believable and they add an intense grittiness to the show, even the colour grading blends perfectly to make the show feel that much more intense.

    Overall, maybe not as good as the hype promises, but still a highly engaging and interesting show that I would have no regrets watching again.    … Expand
  6. geewah
    Jan 10, 2021
    10
    Brilliant.
    Fantastic writing, superb cinematography and well acted.
    One of 2014's best shows.
  7. 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.
  8. cfGhost
    Jun 26, 2020
    10
    Kind of slow paced, but an incredibly well made show, fantastic actor performance and brilliant plot. Favourite show!
  9. DPG
    Oct 8, 2019
    10
    With greatest performances,a interesting story,realistics situations,life lessions,characters with a well developed personality,A MASTER PIECE!
  10. AliceofX
    Jun 12, 2019
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Had a lot of good parts but in the end I just didn't feel completely satisfied. Who really was the killer and who were the other people behind this? Who were the victims? The story didn't go much into the case at all.… Expand
  11. 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.
  12. HackFraud
    Apr 1, 2019
    10
    Best psychological thriller I've ever seen, and my favorite detective "movie" :).
  13. 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.
  14. lgreen
    Feb 11, 2019
    0
    I was excited to see that a black actor was cast in the lead, a sign of progression, but I was quickly reminded that Hollywood is still stuck in the pre60s as it relates to black women. Once again, a bi-racial actress, an a boring one at that, has been cast to play the role of a black woman. Do dark skin black male actors have a clause in their contract that read: love interest must beI was excited to see that a black actor was cast in the lead, a sign of progression, but I was quickly reminded that Hollywood is still stuck in the pre60s as it relates to black women. Once again, a bi-racial actress, an a boring one at that, has been cast to play the role of a black woman. Do dark skin black male actors have a clause in their contract that read: love interest must be bi-racial or white. What the F..... I can't/won't support this garbage.… Expand
  15. buddhalou
    Jan 21, 2019
    10
    Not sure how much more perfect a TV series can be. First season is outstanding.
  16. Izago
    Jan 14, 2019
    10
    isto é incrivel, melher serie policial e com as melhores atuações de todos os tempo.
  17. NatSocStrike
    Dec 29, 2018
    9
    Episode #1 Review - 9/10
    Episode #2 Review -
    Episode #3 Review -
    Episode #4 Review -
    Episode #5 Review -
    Episode #6 Review -
    Episode #7 Review -
    Episode #8 Review -
  18. Justinavery7074
    Oct 2, 2018
    8
    Great character work from McConaughey and Harrelson, great writing, and truly outstanding directing from Fukunaga. The one take from episode 4 will never leave my memory.
  19. 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
  20. pythag0ras
    Jun 14, 2018
    7
    season 1 is good , with a follow able story, however season 2 is almost pure nonsense, and very difficult to follow . so I would give it 7 out of 10.
  21. 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 !
  22. 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
  23. StrongHarm
    Mar 25, 2018
    0
    Season1 had some great actors and a really engaging storyline. It was so disturbing in parts I regret that I can't unsee it. Season2 had really great actors and an engaging storyline. It was so depressing that after it was over I seriously contemplated watching only educational programming for the rest of my life (no exaggeration). While True Detective is one of the best shows I've everSeason1 had some great actors and a really engaging storyline. It was so disturbing in parts I regret that I can't unsee it. Season2 had really great actors and an engaging storyline. It was so depressing that after it was over I seriously contemplated watching only educational programming for the rest of my life (no exaggeration). While True Detective is one of the best shows I've ever watched, it's also the worst. With great writing and great actors, why did they have to add over the top disturbing and depressing turns? That's not "edgy", that's ruining something that could have been great. Art is supposed to evoke emotion and passion, but there's a point in which it can cross the line and become corrupt.… Expand
  24. memcdonald
    Dec 26, 2017
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Season 1 is good although extremely male centered! They need to have female writers for this show because at times it feels like a 14 year old boy is writing this story. There is one point where Rust "has no choice" about something, later redeemed when he says he had a choice. Of course he had a choice, it's insane to push the belief that men can't control themselves and it's damaging for men too! At one point Marty sleeps with a much younger woman, it's really disgusting. It's just disgusting. I really doubt a young girl that age is going to go for a guy his age unless he's wealthy and if you wanted to make a character like-able and believable, why would he sleep with her after saving her as a child? Sure, he could have more failures, but, why her? Wouldn't he be comparing her to his own daughters? When she told Marty how she wanted to do something that she never had done before: that is a ridiculous line and seriously brought me completely out of it. And then the wife that keeps taking him back, I wish it didn't end like that. It felt so undeserved. The characters were good, I liked Rust and even Marty (minus all the stuff I already talked about) and the plot itself was really interesting. I felt like the killer was kind of a give away before it had to be. I kind of wish that there was a surprise moment when we find out who it is. The second season is better, perhaps they got a lot of flack about the sexist overtones in the first season. The second season is definitely harder to follow and there are a ton of lines that are jarbled and impossible to understand. It took me a few episodes to figure out what was going on and I'm still not completely sure. There is a lot of fast quiet talking, especially in the beginning. Less of a teenage boy fantasy though, but some of the episodes kind of drag along.… Expand
  25. agentdocent
    Nov 4, 2017
    9
    Атмосфера 10/10, Картинка 10/10, Актеры 10/10, Сюжет 9/10, В итоге получилась великолепная смесь атмосферного детектива с тягучим повествованием, которые не отпускает ни на минуту
  26. 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".
  27. 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.
  28. 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
  29. evokings
    Sep 17, 2016
    7
    I overall enjoyed watching this series, but my thoughts were the first few episodes were vary time consuming [some might say boring] but I enjoyed the way the series went to the past and the present, vary well done in that sense, and the action scene was vary well directed, the series gets dark at times and vary adult themes, and there is a lot of mystery, thats what really makes you watchI overall enjoyed watching this series, but my thoughts were the first few episodes were vary time consuming [some might say boring] but I enjoyed the way the series went to the past and the present, vary well done in that sense, and the action scene was vary well directed, the series gets dark at times and vary adult themes, and there is a lot of mystery, thats what really makes you watch the series the acting is good too.… Expand
  30. eagleeyeviking
    Sep 1, 2016
    8
    Powerfully acted by it's developed characters and brilliantly crafted by Nic Pizzolatto, True Detective overcomes a slow start and some familiar police procedural elements to craft an exquisite experience that pays off dividends in the end of the season.
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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
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