Apple's Nocturne hits serial killer thriller marks with little originality
Nocturne is a well-made thriller with strong performances. But it retreads every serial killer drama cliché without adding anything fresh.
Nocturne brings a familiar story to screens with a convicted serial killer in a psychiatric hospital, a haunted detective drawn back into the case, and a race to find missing victims. Stephen Graham plays killer Jurek Walter with hulking physicality and quiet calculation to unsettling effect.
Liev Schreiber plays the retired detective pulled back in. Zazie Beetz stands out as his FBI agent goddaughter who goes undercover.
The show is well-made and the performances work. But the story offers no surprises.
It mixes Mare of Easttown, The Silence of the Lambs, and other crime dramas. It lacks the depth and tension that made those special.
- Stephen Graham
- Lead actor
- 10
- Total hours
- 7
- Hours sent to critics
- Fairhaven, Pennsylvania
- Setting
Why it mattersFor anyone considering watching Nocturne, there's a question. Is good execution of familiar elements enough, or do you need genuine originality?
AustraliaThe show airs on Apple TV+, available to Australian subscribers, with Episodes 1 and 2 now released.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
