Netflix’s Harry Hole Review — Is Jo Nesbø’s Nordic Noir Worth Your Weekend or Just Another Slow Burn?

Nordic noir fans, this one’s been on the radar for a while. Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole finally lands on Netflix — and while it brings moody Oslo atmospherics, two compelling leads, and a haunting Nick Cave score, it’s not quite the knockout we hoped for. Here’s the full breakdown.

Netflix Series Info

What’s It About?

The series follows Harry Hole, a brilliant but tormented homicide detective who struggles with his demons, going head-to-head with his long-time adversary and corrupt detective Tom Waaler. Underneath the surface, it’s a nuanced character drama about two police officers — and supposed colleagues — operating on opposite sides of the law.

The murder mystery angle? A series of grisly killings involving young women as victims and a mysterious red jewel left on the bodies Central Chronicle — eerie, dark, and deliberately paced.

The Good, The Slow & The Brutal

Tobias Santelmann carries the series with golden summer hues, well-placed rock needle drops from The Ramones to Pixies, and a haunting score from Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. Joel Kinnaman is equally compelling as the villain — delivering controlled, creepy stares as the corrupt cop Waaler, who eventually becomes a Mephisto-like figure trying to woo Hole to the dark side.

But here’s the honest truth — the series takes its sweet time unveiling the sinister plans of criminals, and most of the time the audience is clued in before Hole is, which may not make for the most interesting watch. Central Chronicle Add to that occasional bursts of graphic violence that veer towards the gratuitous Central Chronicle, and casual viewers may find it a tough sit.

Harry Hole as a literary character has captivated readers across 12 novels — making this the most ambitious screen adaptation yet, after the widely panned 2017 film The Snowman.

If you enjoy slow-burn crime thrillers, also check out our picks for best Netflix crime series to watch right now on TechnoSports, and browse our latest OTT recommendations for more binge-worthy content.

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