Reviews

• “This mini-series demands you keep up with the complex nature of how to solve a murder. Director Lisa Siwe and writer Oskar Söderlund use Anna Bodin and Peter Sjölund’s novel to weave an intricate examination of police processes and a willingness to tackle difficult and traumatic investigations differently. It is fascinating to watch how two very different disciplines overlap and collaborate. The show is every bit as precise and methodical as its two leads. 
  We see the devastation of Adnan’s parents and big sister and Gunilla’s husband. All of them, left behind, with no answers. “The guy who did it … he buried us alive,” Adnan’s father sobs. It’s a grief that is immediately palpable and all encompassing. As viewers, we also want answers. This is a very human tragedy and, rightly so, the focus is on the victims, their families and the investigation process. /…/ We see the anger and frustration of both the police and the victim’s families. We see attempts at hypnosis, relationship breakdowns, racism, press interference and budget cuts. It feels like a very accurate reflection of the lives left behind by serious crime. And that’s what makes The Breakthrough so interesting. Sure, there are overhead shots of the lovely snow capped town and whiteboards full of string, but the focus is very much on the reality. The score isn’t hyperbolic; there are no late night breakthroughs; no dramatic reveals. It’s about people trying to do their jobs and families trying to come to terms with life beyond death. ”

• “Manages to capture both the tension and the sorrow.”

• “This tense true-crime thriller is the best Scandi noir in years. /…/ The highly emotional new crime drama about the horrific murder case in Sweden that went unsolved for 16 years is a cracking and courageous watch. No wonder it’s raced up the Netflix charts. /…/ It is as neat and satisfying as it is compelling. But it’s not just brevity that makes The Breakthrough so strong. It is empathy and humanity too.”