Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole Review
Director: Anna Zackrisson and Øystein Karlsen
Date Created: 2026-03-26 14:59
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Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole Review: Directed by Anna Zackrisson and Øystein Karlsen, this Netflix crime drama stars Tobias Santelmann as Harry Hole, Joel Kinnaman as Tom Waaler and Pia Tjelta as Rakel Fauke alongside Anders Dahlberg, Magnus Kjørrefjord, Nathan Andre Augusto, Ellen Helinder and others. It is an adaptation of one of the most popular arcs from Nesbø’s bestselling novels, and it consists of 9 episodes, each running between 50 to 55 minutes.
Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole Review
Netflix series Detective Hole centres on the story of Harry Hole, a highly flawed yet genius homicide detective, as he deals with the case of a chilling serial killer in Oslo. The show is not simply categorised as a ‘whodunit’ mystery. In addition to the mystery of the serial killer, the show also delves into the suspicion of Harry Hole about his colleague, Tom Waaler, and his ethical behaviour, which borders on corruption. The show is not only about the hunt for the serial killer but also delves into the mental state of the characters, which makes the show interesting and complex without revealing any of the major twists.
The world of Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole series has totally embraced the bleakness of the genre. The city of Oslo is portrayed as another character, cold, distant, and menacing. Every frame of the show looks very deliberate, with the lighting and colours creating a sense of apprehension in the viewer. It is the kind of storytelling that will grab the attention of the viewer with the visuals, but keep the viewer engaged with the mood.
The writing is very focused on character development and not necessarily plot advancement, and this is probably to its advantage most of the time. Harry Hole is not exactly the kind of hero that one can call typical. He is self-destructive and emotionally inaccessible. However, there is something in Harry that is undoubtedly mesmerising. The show takes its time to get to know Harry better. One can see all facets of Harry’s genius and vulnerability. His addiction and loneliness make him more believable than another fictional detective.
On the other hand, Tom Waaler is the exact opposite of Harry. He is the kind of villain that one can love to hate. He is the epitome of control and terror. The dynamic between the two characters is arguably the best part of the show. The tension between them is palpable. It is like a ticking time bomb that can explode at any moment. It is this cat-and-mouse game that takes the show to a notch higher than being just another ordinary crime drama.
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Performance-wise, Tobias Santelmann is great in the role of Harry Hole. He depicts the inner conflict of the character well and never overacts in the emotional scenes. His performance makes it easy to support Harry Hole even in some of his dubious actions. Joel Kinnaman almost steals the show. His portrayal of Waaler is chilling in the best way possible. He is calm and composed in all the scenes he is in, and you can sense that there is a threat brewing inside him.
Of course, there are certain problems with Netflix’s Detective Hole. For one thing, there are times when the slow burn can be frustrating because it seems to be lingering on some parts of the narrative. Some of the subplots can be stretched a bit too thin, and having fewer episodes might have made this all more impactful. There are times when the show can be a bit too experimental with its psychological and surreal elements.
But even with these minor problems, the Jo Nesbø series Detective Hole, is able to keep you hooked. The mystery is interesting and will keep you guessing. The way the mystery is linked with the personal conflicts of the characters is also a plus point. The tension is never resolved, and this is due to the cliffhangers and the tension.
Another thing that needs to be pointed out is the audio and music, which perfectly complements the show. The music is not overpowering and helps in enhancing the eerie feeling of the show. This is yet another aspect of the show that makes the experience all the more engaging.
Netflix Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole Review: Summing Up
Ultimately, the Detective Hole series by Jo Nesbø succeeds because it knows what makes the genre of the crime thriller appealing. A crime thriller is not just about the mystery; it’s about the people in the mystery and the decisions they make and the consequences of those decisions.
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