Dark is a German science fiction thriller and the first German-language Netflix original series. The show was created by Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese and explores the existential implications of time and its effects on human nature.
In the first season, children start disappearing from the fictional rural German town of Winden, causing chaos and confusion. And when an investigation begins, Dark drag us deeper and deeper into its tangled web of interconnecting lives in this town. Some parts of the first season are as disturbing as your worst nightmares. The never-ending rainy days and the mysterious atmosphere only make things more interesting. The show initially takes place in 2019 but expands to include stories set in 1986 and 1953. As you can see, every time jump is 33 years, but that is the only constant you can rely on this show.
I really liked how Season 2 picks up right where it left off from Season 1. Dark is without any doubt, one of the best time travel/wormhole Tv shows or movies I’ve ever seen. And I think the reason the show is so good is because it is grounded in the emotions of the characters. And also, because the time travel element is very well executed and never used as a cop out to cover plot holes.
I was afraid that Season 2 of Dark would be different in tone or atmosphere from the first one. But the second season is beautifully complex and extremely entertaining and not only kept all the moodiness of the first season, but added more to it. In my opinion, consistency is key, and this show has broken past the frontiers of storytelling consistency.
Season 2 is incredibly engaging from start to finish. It has a mind-bending storyline that rolls right along like a roller coaster ride for all 8 episodes. Directing, writing, cinematography, score, editing, acting - everything is perfect.
It also has so many twists you will not see coming! I still cannot believe in all the insane revelations that this season had.
The whole thing is incredibly rewarding and satisfying, managing to provide hints and answers to previous questions as the mystery unfolds. But also adding rising new interesting questions. The level of passion and care certainly pays off by the end of the season.
But you have to pay very close attention to it. Dark is super intricate and has multiple timelines. It can be really difficult to follow sometimes. Especially when you watch the show in its original language, German. Having to count on reading subtitles while trying to understand what is going on in the show is not an easy task. But I can guarantee that the effort is well worth it.
Dark is currently one of the most intelligent and thoughtful shows at Netflix. An underrated masterpiece! And then the only downside of this second season is that it’s only 8 episodes.
Season 2 ends with far more questions than answers, and I can’t wait for the next one.