A new 9-episode detective crime thriller on Netflix, which is based on an acclaimed book series, comes off as the perfect combination of Bosch and True Detective‘s best elements. In itself, the show in question etches its own identity with its Nordic setting and compelling mystery drama. However, it is hard not to notice how its main detective character is reminiscent of Harry Bosch and True Detective‘s Rust Cohle.
Prime Video is undoubtedly the streaming of some of the best detective crime thrillers. However, among its vast crime thriller offerings, Bosch arguably remains the defining series that significantly elevated Prime Video’s reputation in the genre. Meanwhile, HBO, too, has delivered quite a few prestige crime thrillers, but almost none of its additions to the genre have felt as perfect and influential as True Detective season 1.
While Netflix is still catching up in the crime thriller genre and is yet to establish a solid reputation for itself, the streaming service’s new show, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, has the potential to rival some of the best crime thrillers. It may not be up there with the greats like True Detective season 1 and Bosch yet, but some traces of the two show’s genius can be found in Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole as well.
Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole Feels Like The Perfect Combination Of Bosch & True Detective’s Best Bits
The titular character in Netflix’s Detective Hole not only shares his first name with Harry Bosch but is also as broken and obsessed with his job as the Titus Welliver character. Like Harry Bosch, Harry Hole, too, operates well within the legal system. However, he does not shy away from bending some rules and even crossing moral and ethical boundaries to solve crime.
His obsession with solving crime at all costs often lands him at odds with his co-workers and superiors. Similar to Bosch, Detective Hole‘s setting also becomes a character in itself. Just like Bosch immerses viewers in its sun-drenched LA backdrops, Detective Hole shows how its cold Oslo setting becomes a reflection of its titular detective’s detached worldview.
Detective Hole‘s True Detective parallels emerge when it reveals the true nature of its central crime. The series of murders that drive its narrative are revealed to be ritualistic, with each being backed by religious symbolism. Like Rust Cohle, Detective Hole is also portrayed as an addict who struggles with his relationship with alcohol and even finds it hard to hold on to relationships.
Similar to True Detective‘s Cohle, Hole’s investigations always have a hinted supernatural underpinning. The Netflix crime thriller show never makes its supernatural aspects too explicit, but Hole, like Cohle, almost seems to have a metaphysical connection with the crime he investigates.
Just like Cohle, Detective Hole even goes on a psychedelic trip in one sequence in the series to be able to get closer to solving the central murder mysteries. With Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole on Netflix having both the psychological intensity of True Detective season 1 and the slow-burn procedural style of Bosch, it seems like the perfect series for fans of both franchises.
Like Bosch & True Detective, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole Can Last For A Long Time
True Detective is not based on a book series, but its anthology format allows it to last forever. While the HBO show has seemingly struggled to match season 1’s legacy with subsequent seasons, it is still going strong and is all set to return with a fifth season in the near future. Bosch, too, had a long seven-season run on Prime Video and was even followed up with Bosch: Legacy.
While the main Bosch series has ended its run, the franchise continues with the spin-off, Ballard, and the upcoming prequel, Start of Watch. Like Bosch, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is backed by a bestselling book series that has over 10 installments. This gives the Netflix show enough source material to last for at least five seasons.
The Detective Harry Hole‘s books’ original author, Jo Nesbø, has also written the Netflix adaptation.
Since Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole on Netflix adapted only one book from the original series in season 1, it can continue the same approach in future potential seasons and last for a long time. For now, though, since Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole season 2 has not been confirmed, its return seems uncertain. Its commercial and critical success, however, seemingly spells a bright future for it.
While it would be a little too soon to call it a worthy replacement for Bosch and True Detective, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole on Netflix has the potential to become one of the best modern crime thriller shows with future installments.
