Nocturne (2026). Apple TV+ made a thriller critics are already calling a mix of Dexter and True Detective

Jonah Linn is a former soldier, now a homicide detective. He is tired of his dangerous job in Philadelphia and moves with his family to a small town in western Pennsylvania. He hopes for a quieter life, but the past quickly catches up with him.

Unexpectedly, one of the victims of the famous serial killer Jurek Walter, who had long been considered dead, is found alive. Another person remains missing. Jona starts a race against time, trying to figure out what is really going on. At the same time, his protégé, FBI Agent Saga Bauer, is working undercover in prison, trying to extract information from Walter. The investigation turns into a psychological duel, in which any mistake can cost a life.

The series was created by Roan Joffe, with John Hlavin as the showrunner, and It went well in Nocturne.2026

Liev Schreiber and Stephen Graham are the main reason to watch the series. Schreiber plays Jonah as a man who has long been broken inside but continues to function on autopilot. Graham plays Walter, and the Turkish publication Vijesti explicitly states that the actor creates one of the most uncomfortable characters on this basis. Their scenes together are not a fight, but a conversation. And it is in these conversations that the series is at its strongest.

Atmosphere. This is not a fast-paced action; it's a slow, gloomy, cold thriller. Viewers on IMDb write that the series captivates from the very beginning thanks to its dark tone, convincing acting, and constant sense of tension. If you liked True Detective, this aesthetic will be familiar to you.

Intrigue. Grazia notes that critics are delighted with how the story unfolds. Viewers never see the full picture. We know genre. Critics call Nocturne a fierce mix of Dexter and Truedetective. But it's not just copying. The series reinterprets the classic confrontation with a serial killer, adding psychological depth.

What didn't work in this series

Lack of originality. This is the main criticism from reviewers. Kinoafisha writes that some reviewers believe the series lacks originality, containing too many familiar tropes typical of detective stories and serial killer plots. If you've watched dozens of such shows, it's hard to surprise you.

The audience rating is still low. After the release of the first two episodes, the user rating on Rotten Tomatoes was only 58%. Critics see depth, but the mass audience hasn't tasted it yet.

Supporting characters. A Turkish review notes that the series offers a lot of material for serious people.

What the critics and ratings say

The reviews are mixed, but generally positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has83-88% from critics. Metacritic gives it 71 out of 100. IMDb gives it 7.4 out of 10. Kinorium gave it 6.0 out of 10.

Critics praise the acting, atmosphere, and suspense. But some believe that the series does not offer anything fundamentally new. Viewers on IMDb write that it is an exciting and atmospheric thriller that captivates from the very beginning. But the user rating on RT is still lower than the critics' rating.

My rating

A Darkfated Nocturne is a series that takes its time. It wants you to sit in silence, look at Schreiber's face, and feel the tension creeping over your skin. And in most cases, it works. Schreiber and Graham carry even those scenes where the script falters. The atmosphere is dense and the intrigue is maintained, but the lack of originality is felt. It's a well-made, gloomy, expensive thriller that knows its audience. slow-paced psychological thrillers, you'll like it. If you were expecting something completely new, you might be disappointed.