German shows are widely regarded as one of a kind. The flavor they bring to the screen has a distinct taste. Whether romance or mystery, I have seen the country ace all the genres with ease.

Close to Home: Murder in the Coalfield is a new German series, which is now available on Netflix. Originally, it was released in September 2022 in Germany.

Hailed as a gritty, suspenseful mystery, the show won several accolades earlier. However, now that it is thrown open to the rest of the world, diverse opinions are bound to surface.

It has six episodes that go on for around four and a half hours. My Close to Home: Murder in the Coalfield review will tell you if spending your time on the series is worth it or not.

What is the Story of Close to Home: Murder in the Coalfield?

Maik Briegand finds himself leading a murder investigation soon after returning to his hometown. He is joined by a new partner, who has her own way of handling things.

The case gets complicated with every new clue the duo discovers.

Image Credits: Netflix

Directed by Till Franze, Close to Home: Murder in the Coalfield stars Misel Maticevic (Maik Briegand), Odine Johne (Annalena), Marc Hosemann (Andre), Ella Lee (Jackie), Jacob Matschenz (Jannick), and many other actors.

What’s Good About Close to Home: Murder in the Coalfield?

The makers have infused a great amount of substance into the storyline. It comes across as binge-able, excluding other aspects of the series.

There are suspects, traces of family dramas, and collisions at the workplace to set the right narrative for Close to Home: Murder in the Coalfield.

Furthermore, enough mysteries in the series hold it together. So, the lovers of unhurried mysteries have a show to watch on their hands.

Close to Home: Murder in the Coalfield has a raw setup, quite magnetic. Though the small-town magic could have been better portrayed, it still ensures enough familiarity.

How do the Lead Actors Perform?

Misel Maticevic plays Maik Briegand in the Netflix series. He does extremely well to restrict himself for the major part, despite being in the shoes of a generally authoritative police force.

Image Credits: Netflix

Odine Johne as Annalena glues the bits and pieces of Close to Home: Murder in the Coalfield together. Her portrayal is that of a bold and smart woman who doesn’t bow down to pressure.

Marc Hosemann excels as Andre. Quiet and surreptitious, he makes space for himself in the series. I say that because his character is a limiting one, demanding an extraneous push.

What’s off about Close to Home: Murder in the Coalfield?

The series is slow and tedious, even dreary, at times. It starts and within the first half an hour, boredom kicks in.

Such stories cannot rely on making ends meet alone. You need to have stimulations in the form of an unpredictable screenplay.

Close to Home: Murder in the Coalfield completely fails to hook the viewer. A little bit of thrill might have saved the day.

When the makers connect everybody to the murder, it feels unconvincing and complicated. I know it is important for a crime show to have these features; however, they should be executed skillfully, which doesn’t happen in Close to Home: Murder in the Coalfield.

The elements that power the German show are not everlasting.

Should You Stream or Skip Close to Home: Murder in the Coalfield?

The series starts pretty well but loses steam midway through the first episode itself. If you can endure the loitering screenplay, you might as well like Close to Home: Murder in the Coalfield.

On the other hand, those who expect a brisk murder mystery can stay away.

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