Search Results

UPLOAD: SEASON THREE Starring: Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Allegra Edwards, Zainab Johnson, Kevin Bigley, Owen Daniels, Mackenzie Cardwell, Kristine Cofsky, Jeanine Mason, and Andrea Rosen Creator: Greg Daniels NICK Although Upload stalled a little in its second season, I had hoped it was just a sophomore slump. Season Three, while it makes renewed effort to advance the story, is too convoluted for its own good. There are interesting ideas introduced, but they lacked the execution necessary to maintain my intrigue. Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, and Allegra Edwards continue to play these characters well, but the scripts they work with are missing the key component that made Season One so good, comedy. The cliffhanger ending suggests there’s another season to come, but if you ask me, Upload has already overstayed its welcome.

KAOS: SEASON ONE Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Janet McTeer, Cliff Curtis, David Thewlis, Killian Scott, Debi Mazar, Stephen Dillane, Aurora Perrineau, Misia Butler, Leila Farzad, Nabhaan Rizwan, Mat Fraser, Rakie Ayola, Stanley Townsend, Billie Piper, Suzy Eddie Izzard, Ché, Sam Buttery, Cathy Tyson, Donna Banya, Natalie Klamar, and Fady Elsayed Creator: Charlie Covell QUENTIN A modern world still beholden to the Greek Gods is a tremendous idea that could be used to explore religion, faith, fate, corruption, power, and more. Maybe it gets there eventually, but Kaos ’ first season, despite having its moments (particularly when it comes to world-building), is bogged down by too much exposition, too many characters, and not enough Jeff Goldblum. As far as tone, it’s all over the place too, blending Preacher , American Gods , and Good Omens , but the tragic parts are never as heavy as they should be, while the funny parts never elicit as many laughs as intended. Overall, a great idea poorly done.

THIS FOOL: SEASON ONE Starring: Chris Estrada, Frankie Quinones, Laura Patalano, Michelle Ortiz, Sandra Marcela Hernandez, Anna Lamadrid, Julia Vera, Michael Imperioli, Jamar Malachi Neighbors Creators: Pat Bishop, Chris Estrada, Matt Ingebretson, and Jake Weisman AMARÚ It has finally happened - I may have found a character I despise more than Scott Pilgrim. Julio Lopez (Chris Estrada) in This Fool is seemingly the good guy, but the more you get to know him, the more you realize what a selfish POS he is, and how much of a real one his fresh-off-an-8-year-bid cousin Luis (Frankie Quinones) is. This dynamic flip is the center point for this recklessly hilarious show. The wild characters, situations, and words that come out of everyone’s mouth will have you in stitches. Somehow, horrible people in funny shows makes for great entertainment.

DARK SIDE OF THE RING: SEASON SIX Starring: Chris Jericho Creators: Evan Husney and Jason Eisener NICK After last season of Dark Side of the Ring took a bit of a dip, this one comes back with a vengeance. From watching the effects the infamous Hell in a Cell match had on Mick Foley and his family to the heartbreaking life story of Daffney, from the utter insanity of Billy Jack Haynes to the despicable tale of Ludwig Borga…this season covers all sides of darkness. As per usual, the interview subjects are terrific and the research is incredibly detailed. It seems last season was an outlier because there are clearly more stories to tell, so let’s bring on another round. Check out our reviews for Season Five HERE .

Previous Next As we approach 2025 and the end of the 21st century’s first quarter, we wanted to look back to see which actors, actresses, directors, and movies have stood the test of time. With that in mind, for the rest of the year, the Bitesize Top Five will be giving a consensus view on what we think are the Bests of everything since 2000. We are only looking at work released since January 1, 2000, so don’t get mad because your favourites of the 90s didn’t make it. Over the next four months we will do Top Five Dramas, Comedies, Horrors, and Action Films of this century. For our purposes, we worked with the idea that every movie falls under one of those broad umbrellas. It’s imperfect, but it felt like the best course of action. As always, each writer ranks his or her top 15 in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five. 5. MEAN GIRLS Without a doubt, one of the most iconic teen comedies of the past century is Mean Girls . This hilarious treasure, which was created from the comical minds of Tina Fey and Rosalind Wiseman, is still a pop culture phenomenon thanks to its quotable gags like "she doesn't even go here!" and “if you’re from Africa, why are you white?” And let’s not forget its notable ensemble, which includes Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams. This lighthearted and whimsical flick addresses important topics including bullying, body image, and the negative effects of conformity. Mean Girls manages to do all of this without being cliché. All in all, this movie is so fetch! - Paige 4. TROPIC THUNDER I don’t know what one could want from a comedy that isn’t provided by Tropic Thunder . Sharp and biting satire? Mmhmm. A delightful mix of irreverent humor and meta insightfulness? You betcha. A never-ending string of hilarious and infinitely quotable one-liners? Damn right. A tremendous ensemble that seems to be having a blast making fun of themselves, including unforgettable turns from an against-type Tom Cruise and an Oscar-nominated Robert Downey Jr.? In fucking spades. I mean, think about that for a second…this movie is so clever and well-respected amongst pretentious critics and general audiences alike that RDJ was nominated for an Oscar while doing literal blackface. That’s wild. Tropic Thunder is easily one of the funniest and most consequential comedies of the century, and if nothing else, it “m-m-m-mmm-m-makes me happy.” - Quentin 3. THE NICE GUYS Before he was Kenough, Ryan Gosling was a private investigator with a shrill little girl's scream. He was perfect. The Nice Guys (a spiritual successor to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang ) is the best buddy-cop comedy of this century, bar none. A mixture of great dialogue by Shane Black and wonderful chemistry between Gosling and Russell Crowe provides snickers, that turn into chuckles, that turn into full-on belly laughs. Sadly, we never got a sequel, but I'm still holding out hope, and I know I'm not the only one. - Nick 2. STEP BROTHERS Step Brothers is one of the most iconic and quotable comedies of the century so far; a gleefully immature celebration of absurdity and raunchy humour. I’ve loved this film since I watched it when I was definitely too young, and I’ve seen it countless times since, yet it never fails to make me cry with laughter. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are exceptionally funny as the infantilized man-children, and every single member of the cast is a scene stealer in their own right, bouncing off each other in hilarious harmony. Step Brothers is a comedy that isn't afraid to go over the top and test the limits, whilst there being something unironically heart-warming about the brother’s relationship and the film’s message to never grow up. - Katie 1. OCEAN'S ELEVEN George Clooney and Brad Pitt is an undeniably titanic and charismatic one-two punch that just works, further evidenced by a recipe revisit in Apple’s upcoming Wolfs . Ocean’s 11 combines the dashing duo with an absolute bonkers all-star cast that seems to be having a blast and the directorial intelligence of Steven Soderbergh that is on full display in an endlessly clever script. This stylish 2001 feature proves how smart comedy films can be with the inclusion of elements beyond the scope of a “pure comedy” that bring tension, surprises, intrigue, fun, and a pure, leisurely smile to one’s face. - Preston HONORABLE MENTIONS SNATCH O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY BRIDESMAIDS TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY

YOUR HONOR: SEASON ONE Starring: Bryan Cranston, Hope Davis, Hunter Doohan, Michael Stuhlbarg, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and Carmen Ejogo, Margo Martindale, Amy Landecker, Tony Curran, Lilli Kay, Benjamin Flores Jr., Jimi Stanton, and Maura Tierney Creator: Peter Moffat QUENTIN This miniseries has a stacked cast led by Bryan Cranston and Michael Stuhlbarg, both of whom keep everything moving at a nice clip and generally watchable. Sadly, the story isn't as strong as the performances. Even most of the supporting players, including television heavyweights Margo Martindale and Maura Tierney in thankless roles, do good work. However, certain subplots are entirely unnecessary and several character decisions are eye-rollingly bad, especially Adam's (Hunter Doohan). Lastly, its overall inability to create any real tension leads to a mostly bland affair. The acting, particularly Cranston, makes it a serviceable distraction, but nothing more.

VIKINGS: VALHALLA: SEASON ONE Starring: Sam Corlett, Leo Suter, Johannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Laura Berlin, David Oakes, Frida Gustavsson, Bradley Freegard, and Caroline Henderson Creator: Jeb Stuart JAMES Vikings might've thrown historical accuracy overboard, but at least it had voicey writing and visual flair to keep it afloat. Valhalla commits the same sin, but without either of the saving graces; therefore, it sinks. It doesn’t help that it recycles the plot of Vikings ' fourth season with generic characters and dull writing. The high-end production values are there, yet the show somehow feels cheaper than its predecessor. And although the actors are clearly doing their best with what they're given, it's not enough to save the show. Valhalla had so much potential, but no imagination. It is neither good history, nor good entertainment.

Previous Next May 29, 2023 WRITTEN BY: PAIGE In 2022, we were given an amazing slate of films directed by women, including Sarah Polley’s Women Talking , which won best adapted screenplay at the Academy Awards; Domee Shi’s Pixar movie, Turning Red; and Gina Prince-Bythewood's The Woman King , just to name a few. While no women were nominated for Best Director in 2022, which was a wee bit disappointing, I have high hopes for 2023 because the talent pool is only getting deeper. I honestly wish I had time to talk about all the great films boasting women behind the camera, but let’s focus on the eight offerings I’m most excited for. In the broader sense, it’s exhilarating to see so many diverse women ushering in the next generation of cinema, putting their stamp on 2023. From the looks of it, several of the ladies mentioned below have a great chance of getting nominated for several Academy Awards. If you haven’t noticed, women have been changing the game over the past few years, so please be on the lookout for all these films because I want to see more female-helmed films get made. And even more importantly, I want to see more women directors get the support and recognition they deserve for their work! PAST LIVES Director: Celine Song Release Date: June 2, 2023 Past Lives , which will have Celine Song making her directorial debut, looks like a romantic tearjerker. Admittedly, I don’t know much about Song other than she wrote an Off-Broadway play in 2019 before getting her first television screenwriting credit for Amazon Prime’s The Wheel of Time . However, despite being new to the industry, I’m excited to see what she can do considering she’s a writer and a director. I’ve also heard nothing but great things about Past Lives , which premiered at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. JOY RIDE Director: Adele Lim: Release Date: July 7, 2023 Since getting plenty of laughs and applause at its premiere at SXSW, my excitement for Joy Ride has only grown. Adele Lim (co-writer of Crazy Rich Asians ) will be making her directorial debut with this rowdy comedy that stars Everything Everywhere All at Once breakout Stephanie Hsu, Ashley Park, and comedians Sherry Cola and Sabrina Wu. Joy Ride is also produced by Seth Rogen, so buckle up, because I have a feeling this is going to be a f*cking hilarious ride. BARBIE Director: Greta Gerwig Release Date: July 21, 2023 Cue “Barbie Girl” by Aqua. This is honestly my second most anticipated film of 2023 behind Dune: Part Two because I absolutely love Greta’s voice and directing styling. She’s a brilliant writer and director who hasn’t disappointed me yet. And c’mon…casting some of the hottest and most talented people in Hollywood (I’m talking about you Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling)? You truly can’t go wrong. I have a feeling Barbie is going to be so different from what we expect it to be, which is what has me the most excited. From the two teaser trailers I have seen, the film visually looks stunning. I can’t wait. THE MARVELS Director: Nia DeCosta Release date: November 10, 2023 You may recognize her name from directing the most recent entry in the Candyman franchise, which happened to put her on Disney’s radar, but what I love most about DeCosta is that she actually comes from a small budget, indie background like a few other Marvel directors, including Chloé Zhao and Ryan Coogler. Her atmospheric and distinctively bold visuals make me very curious to see what she has in store with The Marvels . I dug its predecessor Captain Marvel, so I can’t wait to check this sequel out in November. SALTBURN Director: Emerald Fennell Release Date: TBD Another film I’m really looking forward to is Emerald Fennell’s second feature, Saltburn . After her bold directorial debut, Promising Young Woman , I’m thrilled to see what Fennell has up her sleeve next. Given her highly stylized, contemporary production design, I can’t wait to see how this film will look. Saltburn , starring Rosamund Pike, Barry Keoghan, Carey Mulligan, and Jacob Elordi, is centered around jealousy and obsession in an English family. Personally, I find that logline intriguing; however, since it doesn’t yet have an official release date, you’ll have to keep an eye out for this one. BOTTOMS Director: Emma Seligman Release Date: August 25, 2023 If you haven’t seen Emma Seligman’s other film, Shiva Baby , then I don’t know what the hell you're doing with your life because you’re missing out. It’s a magnificent film that launched the career of Rachel Sennott, who will be reteaming with Seligman in Bottoms . Another film that premiered at SXSW, Bottoms stars Sennott and Ayo Edebiri ( The Bear ), who are set to play two unpopular high school seniors who compete to hook up with as many cheerleaders as possible before graduation. This sounds like my type of coming-of-age film. PRISCILLA Director: Sofia Coppola Release date: TBD Who are we kidding? Of course, I'm going to have more than one A24 film on this list. The Elvis craze isn’t over just yet because Sofia Coppola is teaming up with A24 for a third time with the adaptation of Priscilla Presley’s shocking memoir, Elvis and Me . The film is titled Priscilla , and it will examine the complex relationship between Priscilla and Elvis Presley. And while Sofia Coppola may be a “nepo baby,” she did make a name for herself directing Lost in Translation, one of my favorite films of all time . LOVE LIES BLEEDING Director: Rose Glass Release date: TBD Okay, while I admit I don’t know much about Love Lies Bleeding , the tagline of Kristen Stewart playing the protective lover of a female bodybuilder has me very curious as to what the film is going to dive into. I love pretty much everything Kristen Stewart has done, and she’d be my personal pick to play me if they ever did a Bitesize biopic (*hint hint* someone make this happen). This latest effort from Saint Maud director Rose Glass is being described as a romantic thriller, and it also will star Jena Malone, Ed Harris, Dave Franco, and did I mention Kristen Stewart? Because I love me some Kristen Stewart. Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Sara Pooley; Photo 2 - Film Independent; Photo 3 - A24; Photo 4 - Universal Pictures; Photo 5 - Focus Features; Photo 6 - MGM; Photo 7 - Apple TV; Photo 8 - Studio Canal

PEACEMAKER: SEASON TWO Starring: John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Frank Grillo, and Robert Patrick Creator: James Gunn QUENTIN While still very entertaining, Peacemaker ’s second season can only be considered a disappointment. I suppose that was to be expected, given the nearly four-year hiatus and transition from the DCEU to the new DCU, but every aspect is just a little less strong: the humor (Tim Meadows aside), the action, the cohesiveness, the character arcs, the opening credits…all of it. The problem is, while Season One was thematically rich with character development and a singular focus, Season Two feels more like forced connective tissue throwing too many ideas at the wall. Still, Season One was damn near perfect, so it's really only a disappointment by comparison. AMARÚ Similar to John Cena’s four-year portrayal of Christopher Smith, Peacemaker : Season Two has layers of surprising heart and complexity underneath its ridiculous surface. Concepts as intimate as self-worth and as global as nationalism are sneakily explored throughout series creator James Gunn’s particular brand of sex, drugs, violence, and rock-n-roll. While that leads to some awesome reveals and idiotically sweet character work (Tim Meadows is a hilarious new addition), the peaks don’t always outweigh the unnecessary side plots and flat payoffs to intriguing set ups. This season isn’t entirely a disappointment, but it also isn’t entirely a success. ROBERT Despite the creative team behind it, Peacemaker : Season One was surprisingly heartfelt and enriching for a mostly comical character. I thought the long hiatus was to ensure there was a competent and propulsive story for Season Two. Instead, it feels like a forgotten IP as James Gunn focused elsewhere to launch DC's Studios new extended universe. After four years, Gunn seems more interested in using it as a conduit for everything else and less about maximizing its own potential. Granted, there are some wonderful performances, especially in the finale. Unfortunately, while fun, the season ended up superfluous. PAIGE This season of Peacemaker may not top Season One in terms of its action or comedy, but it certainly expands the world of the DCU and Peacemaker’s (John Cena) growth as a character. The season leads with heart, standing out through its performances and correct use of the multiverse. The title character's personal journey also is compelling, though it leaves the rest of the 11th Street Kids to feel a bit sidelined. Overall, this entertaining season has a great buildup through its first seven episodes, but the finale is ultimately rushed and half-baked, which was a wee bit unsatisfying. Still, it's an enjoyable and clever follow-up for the character. KATIE Peacemaker is one of the most entertaining shows around right now. John Cena is perfect in the titular role, as he's a gifted comedy actor who also succeeds in the dramatic elements while effortlessly carrying a romantic subplot, infusing the character with intensity and humour. I genuinely couldn't guess what was coming around the corner, and it surprised me in progressively weirder, more wonderful ways. It has excellent use of music, a vibrant aesthetic, and a charming cast of wacky characters with incredible chemistry. I feel disengaged with most superhero content, but Peacemaker is truly showing them how it's done. Check out our reviews for Season One HERE .

Previous Next Having already done our Non-MCU Marvel list and with the release of Blue Beetle this month, we figured what better time for the Bitesize crew to put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five DC Films/Series. This list only includes DC branded releases. Imprints such as Vertigo were deemed ineligible. Each writer ranks his or her top 15 releases in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five. 5. BATMAN BEGINS It can't be overstated just how vital to the health of the superhero genre Batman Begins truly was at the time of its release. That it remains as fine an example as any of how to do an origin story nearly two decades later is both a testament to its quality and a reconstitution of the achievement of director Christopher Nolan. From its vision of Gotham City to its reimagining of the title character, it still exists as one of the greatest superhero films ever made. - Jacob 4. BATMAN (1989) When I was growing up, superheroes didn't dominate cinema the way they do now. So, when Michael Keaton donned the cowl to become Batman, matched up against Jack Nicholson's unhinged Joker, I was enamoured. Featuring the perfect marriage of director Tim Burton's horror sensibilities (which were expanded on even more in the sequel Batman Returns ) and its two dynamic lead performances, this film is the catalyst for everything we've come to love in the genre today. As for how it holds up nowadays? It's no coincidence Warner Bros. brought Keaton back as the Caped Crusader over 30 years later. - Nick 3. THE SUICIDE SQUAD I like my comic book movies gritty, and director James Gunn gave me that with 2021's The Suicide Squad while also mixing in the perfect balance of playfulness. He did a fantastic job of assembling some of DC’s most unknown criminals into an exhilarating team of antiheroes that we have now come to love (I’m talking about you, King Shark (voiced by Sylvester Stallone) and Peacemaker (John Cena)). Compared to 2016’s Suicide Squad , this flick is filled with A LOT more humor, heart, and, of course, violence… just loads of bloody violence. It’s also oddly sincere. We need more R-rated superhero films like this! - Paige 2. THE BATMAN “When that light hits the sky, it’s not just a call. It’s a warning.” The Batman gives the world’s greatest detective the film he deserves in a gritty, intense, and fascinating noir film. Director Matt Reeves’ iteration of the character is dark (but not in a cold way) as the film takes its time to develop Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) in a way not seen before on the big screen. Not to mention, with Michael Giacchino’s beyond-catchy score and Greig Fraser’s astounding cinematography, The Batman is a comic book film for the ages. - Adriano 1. THE DARK KNIGHT There are many reasons that Bruce Wayne is running rampant up and down this whole damn list, and The Dark Knight is reason number one. Literally. There was no other choice here (except maybe a miniseries that gave many Americans much needed history lessons). The magnitude in which Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Christopher Nolan, Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard (those last two are composers, people), and even Michael Jai White deliver has been spoken upon thousands of times before, and we all know why. This movie is damn near a masterpiece top to bottom, not just one masterful performance. You all knew this was gonna be here while scrolling down this particular Top Five, so don’t act surprised. - Amarú HONORABLE MENTIONS PEACEMAKER JOKER WATCHMEN (2009) MAN OF STEEL BATMAN RETURNS Photo Credits: Warner Bros.

Previous Next It's May, the month of Mother's Day and the newest release in the franchise that's all about family. Before it was about family though, it was about cars. With that in mind, the crew decided to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five On-Screen Vehicles. Each writer ranks his or her top 15 selections in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five. 5. ECTO-1 (GHOSTBUSTERS FRANCHISE) Plain and simple: The Ecto-1 is one of the most iconic vehicles in cinema history. It’s simple in its design (a white Cadillac Miller-Meteor Sentinel ambulance converted to limo-style with the Ghostbusters logo and some ghostbusting doo-dads on the top), the Ecto-1 has much more use than bringing the Ghostbusters to the ghosts they need to bust. It represents the earnestness and dedication of the scientists and their humble beginnings, not to mention the cool upgrades that we saw in Ghostbusters: Afterlife . - Adriano 4. MYSTERY MACHINE (SCOOBY-DOO FRANCHISE) While the rest of the list may be “better” vehicles, I don't think there is one here that is more universally recognized to the highest number of people than the Mystery Machine. No matter your age, race, gender, geographic location, favorite genre, height, weight, MPAA rating… I think you get the point. Show some 7-year-olds a DeLorean, and they may look at you crazy. Show them the blue, green and orange van and they'll yell "SCOOBY!" For over 50 years, that van has been foiling somebody’s master plan, and your grandkids will probably see it rolling across their screen 50 years from now. How’s that engine still running? - Amarú 3. ASTON MARTIN (007 FRANCHISE) Originally introduced in 1964's Goldfinger , the Aston Martin has become a staple in James Bond's bag of tricks. A sleek design (almost always found in silver) having evolved from the aforementioned DB5 in Goldfinger to the DBS in No Time to Die , the car has always been outfitted with whatever nonsense the Q branch can pack into it. From bulletproof glass to machine guns behind the headlights, rotating license plates and a passenger side ejector seat (you're joking! ), Aston Martin has always been associated with the on screen brand of Her Majesty's Secret Service. Hopefully, the Bond/Martin combination will be one fans continue to see for many years to come. - Darryl 2. MILLENNIUM FALCON (STAR WARS FRANCHISE) There are so many iconic spaceships throughout Star Wars , but the most notable has to be the Millennium Falcon. Although it may look like a piece of junk, it has survived many epic battles and is wicked fast. I mean, it completed the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs. It also happens to be helmed by two of the greatest pilots and heroes on film, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew). - Paige 1. DELOREAN (BACK TO THE FUTURE FRANCHISE) Back to the Future doesn’t work without the DeLorean in the same way that Top Gun doesn’t work without fighter jets. The vehicle is the movie, the thing on which every plot point and character beat hinges. As movie vehicles – and, more specifically, cars – go, it doesn’t get much more iconic than the scene-stealing time machine in Robert Zemeckis’ trilogy. Only Star Wars' Millennium Falcon could ever match up with the DeLorean’s instant recognizability or, more crucially, its charming personality. - Jacob HONORABLE MENTIONS BATMOBILE (THE BATMAN) BATMOBILE (BATMAN '89) USS ENTERPRISE (STAR TREK FRANCHISE) HERBIE (THE LOVE BUG FRANCHISE) BUMBLEBEE (TRANSFORMERS FRANCHISE)

TRUE DETECTIVE: NIGHT COUNTRY Starring: Jodie Foster, Kali Reis, Finn Bennett, Fiona Shaw, Christopher Eccleston, Isabella Star LaBlanc, and John Hawkes Creator: Issa López ADRIANO I'm well aware that I'm thoroughly on the outs when it comes to the first season of True Detective , so much so that I didn't even bother with its second or third season. So, I was initially delighted when I found myself really into Night Country' s dreary atmosphere and setting. However, as the weeks went on, I found it to be as derivative as Season One, and it started to slowly lose me despite excellent performances from Jodie Foster and Kali Reis. I think I just need to accept that True Detective is not for me. QUENTIN After five long years, True Detective is back! I wish I could tell you it was worth the wait. Despite decent performances and a moody atmosphere, Night Country tries to do too much in just six episodes. It is so packed with superfluous side characters and uninteresting subplots that there is hardly any space to generate compelling mystery with the two murder investigations. Plus, there is an air of supernatural nonsense that moves this usually grounded crime show closer to Stephen King’s miniseries The Outsider , which isn’t what I want from True Detective . Overall, I’m not sure it’s any better than the much maligned second season.