Young Wallander

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 3, 2020
Metascore
46

Mixed or average reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4

Critic Reviews

  1. Decider
    Reviewed by: Joel Keller
    Sep 3, 2020
    60
    There is enough going on in Young Wallander, especially the immigration storyline, that will keep viewers watching. But we just wish Wallander himself was a more interesting character.
  2. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Ellen E Jones
    Sep 3, 2020
    60
    Young Wallander ticks off its lead’s familiar attributes in checklist fashion, rarely pausing to offer more developed hints at psychological cause and correlation.
  3. Paste Magazine
    Reviewed by: Shane Ryan
    Sep 3, 2020
    52
    After two hours, there’s not much here to engage, and not much reason to plow ahead. For some diehard viewers, of which I am one, it is difficult to produce a Swedish detective show that doesn’t appeal on some level, and Young Wallander isn’t so mediocre that it can be tossed completely aside. But with an underwhelming leading man, a muddled identity, and a cliched story, it’s ultimately insubstantial.
  5. The Telegraph
    Reviewed by: Chris Bennion
    Sep 3, 2020
    20
    The script treats the viewers like idiots, signposting every plot point and rolling out exposition in inert question-and-answer scenes. Someone literally says “the plot thickens” at one point. They’re not being ironic. Even the incidental dialogue, of which there is copious amounts, is stiff as a board.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 3 out of 9
  1. truerock
    May 4, 2022
    8
    Henning Mankell’s is a Swedish novelist who has written a series of books about a detective named Kurt Wallander. This is a TV seriesHenning Mankell’s is a Swedish novelist who has written a series of books about a detective named Kurt Wallander. This is a TV series produced by the Swedish entertainment production company Yellow Bird. The series is dialoged in English - which surprised me - I was expecting Swedish. This video series is a prequel regarding Kurt Wallander when he was a young rookie Swedish police officer - hence the name of the series "Young Wallander".

    The Wallander novels (which have sold tens of millions of copies) have been used as the basis for:
    A television series on the Swedish TV4 network during 2005 to 2013.
    A Swedish television film series produced by Sveriges Television during 2010 to 2015.
    A British BBC television series during 2008 to 2016.
    There are tens of millions of Wallander fans and I would imagine they will be interested in a Wallander prequel.

    So, this is a somewhat awkward attempt at being an edgy, woke, young-adult story that is aimed at a young adult and teen age audience. If you have watched thousands of hours of Law and Order you will probably not be that impressed with Young Wallander. But, I'm cutting this series some slack and assuming it is produced for people who have not watched thousands of hours of Law and Order and/or other crime-law-enforcement drama.

    I have watched the first episode of Young Wallander and liked it enough to plan to watch the remainder of the season 1 episodes. I will come back later and perhaps adjust my rating.

    I will say that my initial impression is that Adam Pålsson does a very good job portraying Wallander. And, to me... the directing seems to be weak. I am interested to see if the technical parts of the production smooth out after a few more episodes. But, there are things like a really bad child actor in a couple of scenes that I found disturbing in a cringey kind of way.

    Keep in mind, if you do not know what Brännvin is and are unfamiliar with Swedish real estate and politics, etc. - then, some of the writing is going to be over your head.

    ************
    So, I've completed watching the remaining episodes of the first season of Young Wallander and I've raised my rating from 6 to 7. I watched a little bit of Swedish director Vilgot Sjöman's 1964 film '491' to get into the mood of Swedish film. Adam Pålsson was a good choice to play the role of Wallander. The writing became more interesting. The overall production quality smoothed-out in the remaining episodes.

    If you are a viewer who enjoys crime drama I think you'll enjoy Young Wallander.

    Reflecting on this series, it has occurred to me that if you are not familiar with the character Kurt Wallander from the dozens of novels and films - you will not be able to fully appreciate Young Wallander. I guess there is not much you could do about that - except, it might help if you take a few minutes to read:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Wallander

    and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henning_Mankell

    **********

    The above review was written 2 years ago. I re-watched season-1 of Young Wallander in preparation for watching season-2 released this year, 2022.

    I'm raising my review score from 7 to 8. I'm still impressed with the overall quality of the series - especially noting the quality of the acting for the minor roles. Even the walk-on parts are well cast.

    Also, I noticed some cinematography and editing that I felt was of very high quality.

    *********
    SEASON 2

    Adam Palsson as Wallander, Yasen Atour as Reza Al-Rahman, Leanne Best as Frida Rask, and the other lead actors are better in season 2. And, I think the directing, editing and writing seems to better work with their acting strengths. The cinematography was good in season 1 and it is even better in season 2 - in my opinion.

    Unfortunately, a new lead character Sam Osei (played by Adetomiwa (Tomiwa) Edun), the new commissioner replacing Richard Dillane (as Superintendent Joseph Hemberg) is very poorly cast and really takes season 2 down a notch. An unfortunate and oddly mystifying change to the series.
    Gary Oliver as the commissioner in season 1 would have been a much better choice.

    Richard Dillane (Superintendent Josef Hemberg) was unfortunately killed-off in season 1. He was the best actor in the series. Perhaps he was too expensive and he was cut to make budget.

    I don't comment too much about hair, makeup, costumes, props, etc. They are important.
    Leanne Best (as Frida Rask) is blond in season-2 and has kind-of a soccer-mom look. In season-1 she had black hair which gave her a darker look more appropriate for her role. They should not have changed Leanne Best's hair and makeup.    … Full Review »
  2. imracebannon
    Sep 11, 2020
    9
    Very engaging. Lots going on. I have enjoyed the lead and the various things he is involved in. Doesn't win every fight but certainly isVery engaging. Lots going on. I have enjoyed the lead and the various things he is involved in. Doesn't win every fight but certainly is sticking his nose in and won't give up. I like the tenacity he has and the other characters also. They are well done and compliment the show.… Full Review »
  3. wilbert
    Sep 8, 2020
    0
    The credibility of movie critics has disappeared for me. I have loved all three versions of Wallander and i have really enjoyed YoungThe credibility of movie critics has disappeared for me. I have loved all three versions of Wallander and i have really enjoyed Young Wallander thus far. Excellent choice for the lead. Viewing the ratings here from professional critics is astounding. Why the hate??… Full Review »
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