'Mindhunter' Remains a Masterpiece Thriller on Netflix

Nearly nine years after its 2017 premiere, David Fincher’s Mindhunter still stands out on Netflix for its cinematic approach to television. Impeccable cinematography, moody worldbuilding and deep character work combine with a distinctive take on the origins of the FBI’s criminal profiling in the 1970s.

The series follows the formation of the Behavioral Science Unit as agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench interview notorious killers to understand their motives and try to prevent future violence. Episodes feature portrayals of figures such as Charles Manson, Ed Kemper, Richard Speck, Dennis Rader and David Berkowitz, anchoring the show’s focus on psychology over sensationalized violence.

Fincher’s hands-on direction and exacting methods shape the show’s stark visual tone, aided by Oscar-winning cinematographer Eric Messerschmidt.

United States

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