Spirit Huntercancellation on Netflix left a huge void in the true crime genre, but Apple TVThe underrated gem of the genre eases the pain of its untimely end.
Many shows in the true crime genre sensationalize serial killer stories by turning them into a morbidly entertaining yarn. Spirit Hunterin contrast, approached the detective genre with a more cautious and procedural perspective, treating violence as a moral and intellectual problem. Thanks to David Fincher’s directorial vision and the series’ strong storytelling, Spirit Hunter It is remembered as one of the best crime thrillers of all time.
He rightfully deserved this title after receiving almost unanimous acclaim from viewers and critics. While it’s unfortunate that it fell victim to Netflix’s unreasonable cancellations, its fans can watch a neglected true crime show on Apple TV to fill the void it left behind.
Netflix canceled Mindhunter after season 2, but Apple TV’s Black Bird fills the void it left behind
Spirit HunterThe narrative heartbeat of was in its gripping interrogation room sequences where Holden Ford sat across from Ed Kemper and attempted to map the psychology of a killer. Instead of focusing on action, spectacle and forced twists, Apple TV Black bird depicted a similar setup where a charismatic convict, Jimmy Keene, found himself talking to Larry Hall to extract a confession from him.
In both series, the tension of the overall story has nothing to do with car chases or shootouts. Instead, it lies in the degree of dangerousness of the man sitting across the table.
The performances in both series are so incredible that even the quiet moments between the main characters’ conversations are filled with unsettling dread. The fact that both are heavily inspired by true crimes makes their stories even more impactful. Although many factors may have contributed to Spirit HunterNetflix’s cancellation, one of the biggest was that it never spoon-fed its audience.
Instead, it respected viewers’ intelligence by immersing them in everything from complex investigative processes to the psychological burden they place on investigators. Black birdalso, takes the same path and even allows viewers to form their own judgments about its central killer and flawed male protagonist.
Despite a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, Black Bird remains an overlooked gem
Black bird boasts a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 98%, with critics unanimously praising it for its examination of masculinity, morality, and the impact of violence and power on men trapped in broken systems. Taron Egerton and Paul Walter Hauser deliver phenomenal performances as Jimmy Keene and Larry Hall, and Hauser is downright terrifying in some sequences.
While Mindhunter is based on retired FBI agent John E. Douglas Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime UnitBlack Bird adapts James Keene’s film With the devil: a fallen hero, a serial killer and a dangerous case of redemption.
Even though I did a lot of things right, Black bird is rarely considered one of Apple TV’s best shows, let alone the best offerings in the true crime genre. Although it would be unfair to call the Apple TV show a worthy Spirit Hunter replacement, it gives some semblance of closure to those who can’t help but long for another season of the epic Netflix series.
