The OTT world is dynamic to the fullest. Sometimes, there are no movies to review and on other days, you have 4-5 shows releasing together.
Among them is a Polish crime drama with six episodes and a duration of over five hours.
Based on the stories presented by Remigiusz Mroz in his Forst series novels, Detective Forst is a mystery thriller that’s ominous, dark, and suspenseful.
It is the first story from Poland to hit Netflix in 2024. Here is my review.
Detective Forst Synopsis
A serial killer gruesomely tortures his victims before hanging them to death. Detective Forst, known for his off-the-book ways, gets on the case only to find himself in the midst of mayhem from his past and present.
Directed by Daniel Jaroszek, the show features Borys Szyc (Forst), Zuzanna Saporznikow (Olga), Andrzej Bienias (Edmund), Kamilla Baar (Dominika), Aleksandra Grabowska (Agata), Szymon Wroblewski (Staszek), Maciej Pesta (Gjord), Michal Suwada, Tomasz Pogon, Artur Barcis, Malgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik, Piotr Franasowicz, Magdalena Debicka, and others.
It is based on two books by Remigiusz Mroz, Ekspozycja (Exposure) and Przewieszenie (Overhang), which were released in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
What Works for Detective Forst?
The best metric to judge a show is its storyline. Most of the detective creations on Netflix have astute, sharp-witted lead characters at the helm who can solve cases at the drop of a hat.
There’s not much frowning for them after a certain point. Detective Forst differs from them in this specific matter the most.
After a dead body is found hanging to a cross, naked, a police team reaches the spot to initiate an investigation, and Forst, a recently transferred cop, is made the lead cop of the case.
He starts unearthing clues using hook or crook until another dead body is found and the case becomes a tough nut to crack.
The story doesn’t make Forst a super-duper cop who has his way most of the time. It keeps him grounded and allows for struggles to creep in.
All of his explorations are rooted in the roughness of life. This helps in furthering the guided buildup of suspense and mystery.
You will be draped in a dark spell of chilling discoveries while the story will continue playing on believable lines.
It gets convoluted with time and becomes a force to reckon with soon enough. The gritty, unflashy nature of the Polish series keeps the intrigue going.
Interestingly, I found Detective Forst carrying a German touch.
The ominous background score, the pace of the narration, and the dark screenplay have something that most German shows have.
Regular viewers would notice this. Moreover, Detective Forst is also gruesome in many ways.
The makers don’t hold back from showing distressing visuals of dead bodies, including their disoriented private parts.
Using music from Cigarettes After Sex was a smart choice, in my opinion.
How are the Performances?
Borys Szyc commands the role of the titular character with a gritty demeanor, and his on-screen presence is inherently compelling.
Evolving from the shadows of a powdery persona to the resolute figure central to the tale, Szyc delivers a performance that seamlessly captures Forst’s transformative journey.
A striking parallel exists between the written character of Forst and Borys’ portrayal on screen, enhancing the authenticity and resonance of the character.
Szyc skillfully embodies the complexities of Forst’s character, providing a captivating and natural portrayal.
Zuzanna Saporznikow, in the role of Olga, contributes a courageous performance, anchoring the character with pride in the journalist’s sketch she holds.
While initially presenting a deadpan outlook, Saporznikow’s performance gains depth as the show unfolds, allowing her to skillfully employ a range of expressions.
In the role of Edmund, Andrzej Bienias makes a significant impact in Detective Forst, despite occupying a non-primary position in the plot.
Bienias infuses his engagement with the character with a surreptitious quality, unveiling various shades that contribute to the intricacies of the narrative.
What Doesn’t Work for Detective Forst?
There aren’t any significant loopholes in the show. Maybe, some might find it slow at times, but that’s a sporadic issue, not a consistent one.
Stream or Skip?
Detective Forst weaves a narrative that transcends the typical crime drama, offering a captivating blend of suspense and authenticity. Go for it.