Mindhunter

Starring: Jonathan Groff (19 episodes), Holt McCallany 19 episodes), Anna Torv (17 episodes), Sonny Valicenti (15 episodes), Stacey Roca (12 episodes), Hannah Gross (10 episodes), Joe Tuttle (10 episodes), Zachary Scott Ross (10 episodes), Cotter Smith (9 episodes), Albert Jones (8 episodes), Lauren Glazier (8 episodes), Michael Cerveris (6 episodes), Dohn Norwood (5 episodes), Gareth Williams (5 episodes), June Carryl (5 episodes), Cameron Britton (4 episodes), Nate Cordrry (4 episodes)
Directed by: David Fincher (7 episodes), Carl Franklin (4 episodes), Andrew Douglas (2 episodes), Asif Kapadia (2 episodes), Tobias Lindholm (2 episodes), Andrew Dominik (2 episodes)
Rating: TV-MA
Genre: Drama, Thriller
2017-2019

Seasons Seen:
Tim: 1 - 2

Summary: In the 1970s, two FBI agents (Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany) work to establish the Bureau's profiling division by interviewing serial killers.

Review:
Tim: Even after the conclusion of Mindhunter's two seasons, I'm still a little perplexed as to why I enjoy the show so much. I mean, it's not like it's shocking. The series from David Fincher gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit. This detailed look at the new science, the creation of the term "serial killer" and an examination of some of America's most notorious serial killers. It's entertaining and informative. And yet, despite all these strong elements, I'm still surprised by how much I liked it. It was a really, really well made series.

Quick note, the series hasn't officially been cancelled. When I started tracking television series, I insisted that I'd only do it at the conclusion of the series and if I'd watched every episode. While I still watch every episode, it's become harder to know when a series ends. This one has been put on "indefinite hold", which means I scour interviews for any indication that the series might come back. David Fincher himself seemed to cast some doubt on it, so I'm going to write this as if it really will end after 2 seasons. I may have to add to this review if it ever comes back.

But, back to the show. The biggest reason I enjoyed this show involves the three main cast members. They are each so effective. I have to start with Holden Ford, played brilliantly by Jonathan Groff. I've become a bigger and bigger Groff fan in recent years, but it all comes back to his performance here. Groff is outstanding in this series. He plays the straight-laced, intelligent, somewhat arrogant FBI Agent exceptionally well. His idealism and his faith are central tenets of the film. Groff will probably always be an actor I like, and it all comes back to his work here. It truly was exceptional. I also have to give Holt McCallany amazing amounts of credit. His Bill Tench was a perfect partner opposite Holden. McCallany's world weary looks, the way he says "Holden" almost under his breath, as if he's holding in his frustration with all his energy- it's a remarkable performance. McCallany does so many things well that it's impossible to name them all here. Some of the most powerful moments of the series involve Bill's family and McCallany shines in those moments. His interactions with Groff are fantastic and that makes up the true heart of this series. I'd watch these two together endlessly. They're so different yet collaborate so well together. I can't overstate how much I enjoy them. While not as good as Groff and McCallany, I have to applaud Anna Torv, too. I'm a big fan of Torv from her incredible work on the underrated Fringe and loved seeing her again here. Her character was complex and interesting, but she never got the time or focus that the others got. She makes for a solid rounding out of the trio, though. Her presence here was important.

There were some solid actors in the supporting cast, too. I loved seeing another Fringe alumn, Michael Cerveris here. Albert Jones did some fantastic work in his arc. Cameron Britton was a standout as the killer Edmund Kemper. As good as our protagonists were, the series needed people like Britton to bring these killers to life. He was a true scene stealer.

I really did love Mindhunter and I hope that Fincher decides to return to these characters someday. I'd happily update this review. The series was fascinating, entertaining, and dark. I really enjoyed this mesmerizing look into the psyches of some of America's most disturbed citizens. It's a show about the killers, but even more so about the FBI, how that institute embraced a new field that would radically alter how they approached fighting crime into the future. We need more television series like this one. I've been a huge David Fincher fan for a long time, but with this series, anything he does, big screen or small, has become a must-see for me.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: N/A



If You Enjoyed This Series, We Recommend: True Detective, Fringe, House of Cards