'Young Wallander' is another adaptation of the adventures of the iconic detective from the popular series of Swedish novels.

The detective genre is dominated by British and Scandinavian projects, but what happens when you combine these two directions? The result is a new Netflix series called Young Wallander, based on the series of Swedish novels by Henning Mankell, but produced by the British.

This Nordic noir in spirit has something to say as a detective story, but it also doesn't forget its social commentary. Moreover, it boasts a rather dark and dynamic narrative that keeps you hooked until the end credits after an ambiguous finale. But let's take it step by step.

Still Waters Run Deep

At the center of the story is police academy graduate Kurt Wallander (Adam Pålsson), who accidentally witnesses a violent crime related to the issue of migrants. He begins an investigation under the guidance of experienced detective officer Hemberg (Richard Dillane) and encounters a very unexpected turn of events.

From the very first scenes, the series 'Young Wallander' boldly and unceremoniously debunks the myth of an absolutely calm and decriminalized Sweden. Gangs recruiting underage criminals operate on the local streets, and hatred towards migrants is palpable everywhere. Still waters run deep, as they say.

The creators manage to maintain this atmosphere through a stylish and dark visual style, as well as the absence of a moralizing tone. There are no good or bad people here (except for the protagonist, of course, who is absolutely ideal in moral matters), the world is not divided into dark and light. There is a catch everywhere and a place for a bit of optimism.

In the Best Traditions of the Classics

As a quality British-Swedish detective series, Netflix works reliably. One thread of the investigation leads to unexpected events, which in turn provoke tension, and the intrigue is maintained almost until the very end. It can't be said that the writers resort to any new or extraordinary moves, but they do their job excellently.

Watching the series is genuinely interesting, and following the development is effortless—these days, that's a recipe for a guaranteed decent representative of the genre. But can the show offer anything beyond a well-written story?

A Solid Genre Exercise and Nothing More?

Alas, it's hard to give more compliments to the creators of 'Young Wallander'. The lead actor lacks the charisma of Kenneth Branagh, who previously played this character; the social issues raised lack a clear message (the questions are not voiced loudly enough, and no solutions are offered at all); you won't see any memorable episodes. There is no memorable music, no original cinematographic solutions, no visionary discoveries.

So in the end, 'Young Wallander' is a decent series that will help you pass the time pleasantly, but nothing more.

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