How a satirical thriller explores the dark side of true crime obsession
In short: When an American podcaster descends upon an Irish coastal town to solve a decades-old mystery, he finds more than just clues. Bodkin, a black comedy thriller, uses sharp satire to examine the very genre that fuels modern media consumption, blending eccentricity with a cold case investigation.
Released on Netflix on 9 May 2024, Bodkin is a seven-episode black comedy thriller created by British writer Jez Scharf. The series marks a significant milestone for Higher Ground, serving as the production company's first scripted series for the streaming giant, produced in partnership with wiip. The narrative follows Gilbert Power, an American podcaster played by Will Forte, as he investigates the disappearance of three individuals during a Samhain celebration several decades ago. He is accompanied by Dubheasa "Dove" Maloney, an investigative journalist from Dublin, and Emmy Sizergh, an aspiring journalist serving as Gilbert's researcher.
The production was a significant undertaking, with principal photography spanning six months starting in the summer of 2022. While much of the filming took place in West Cork, the production also utilized locations in Wicklow and Dublin. The cast features Siobhán Cullen as Maloney, Robyn Cara as Sizergh, and Ahna O'Reilly as Amber Power, the wife of the protagonist. The series was directed by a team including Nash Edgerton, Bronwen Hughes, Johnny Allan, and Paddy Breathnach, with Scharf and Alex Metcalf serving as co-showrunners.
Critical reception for the series has been somewhat divided. On Rotten Tomatoes, the show holds a 68% positive rating from 40 critics, with an average score of 6.3/10. The critical consensus suggests that while the show's satire of true crime investigations is effective, it could benefit from a more gripping central mystery. Concurrently, Metacritic gave the show a 59/100 rating from 18 reviews, labeling the general response as mixed or average.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Bodkin (TV series)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-bodkin-tv-series.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Film studios · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
