The Investigation: Redefining True Crime
A different kind of true crime: focus on justice
In the silent, dark depths of the Øresund, where the tides conceal their own secrets, 'Efterforskningen' unfolds a unique true crime story. The series refuses to depict violence directly, allowing justice to shine through the methodical police work instead. This Danish TV series from 2020, created by Tobias Lindholm, addresses the tragic murder of Swedish journalist Kim Wall and the subsequent investigation, often referred to as the 'submarine case.' The series manages to avoid sensationalism by focusing on police work and the victims' families without dwelling on the perpetrator's motive or the brutality of the crime. Initially aired on TV2 Denmark and later on HBO Max, it was produced in collaboration with Fremantle Media and Miso Film Denmark and consists of six episodes in a captivating miniseries.
Police precision: ethical and emotional portrait
'Efterforskningen' stands strong with its sharp focus on the ritualized work of the police, carried out with critical accuracy. The series depicts how investigators used cadaver dogs, advanced diving operations, and legal acumen to unravel the case. Tobias Lindholm, also known for his previous work on 'Borgen' and 'Krigen,' directs the series with unparalleled authenticity by avoiding reconstructions of the crime itself. Instead, the story is presented through a moral lens that highlights the ethical challenges often faced in criminal investigations. Pernilla August and Rolf Lassgård deliver a gripping portrayal of the Wall family's unbearable loss, which enhances the series' human dimension.
Cultural phenomenon: new standard in true crime
'Efterforskningen' became a cultural phenomenon by setting new standards within the true crime genre and was a central topic in the debate on media ethics. The series is an exercise in empathetic storytelling, noted when it received the Robert Award for TV Series of the Year. Its influence even reached legislative levels, inspiring improved collaboration between Nordic police units. The series focuses on the often-overlooked daily work of justice and reintroduces the thought-provoking idea: the truth that the police strive to uncover sometimes requires us to overlook the perpetrator's face to better understand the depth of human loss. With its connections to both Denmark and Sweden, and issues like murder and unidentified bodies, 'Efterforskningen' becomes an important source of reflection on truth and justice in the true crime genre.