Fans of the hit serial killer series were gutted to see it end after two widely successful seasons of what some are calling one of the 'greatest shows ever'.
A Masterpiece of Crime Drama
It is impressive to see a TV crime drama take shape in the way that this one did, finding a way to captivate audiences like never before. Years later, viewers continue to rave about it online. The Netflix series Mindhunter was quick to attract fans when it first aired on the streaming platform and is considered a must-watch for fans of the genre.
Its unique setting allowed for the stories of serial killers to come to life, as inspired by the 1995 true crime book by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker. It focuses on the early periods when criminal profiling had just been introduced within law enforcement and how that worked within the FBI's investigations.
Characters and Cast
At the heart of the story are three characters: FBI operatives Holden Ford and Bill Tench, as well as psychologist Wendy Carr, who run the FBI's Behavioural Science Division. Playing those characters on screen are actors Holt McCallany, Jonathan Groff, and Anna Torv. With this new approach to their work, the team hopes to gain a better understanding of the criminals they are dealing with and, in turn, solve ongoing cases.
Interviews with Infamous Killers
Throughout the series, the team interviews infamous killers, one of whom is the notable Ed Kemper. This allows them to better understand his motivations behind his heinous crimes and the mind of a sociopath.
Fan Reactions
A viewer shared their thoughts on the show on Rotten Tomatoes, writing: "Mindhunter is a slow-burn psychological thriller that gets under your skin in the best way. The writing is sharp, the performances are outstanding, and the attention to detail in portraying real-life serial killers is chilling."
Another added: "One of the greatest shows ever, Netflix is a blind company for not funding another season." Meanwhile, one viewer wrote: "Very, very well written and hooked right from the start, this could easily be one of the best shows Netflix created. Shame on them for letting it slip away."
Direction and Production
What many argue led to the success of the show was its direction from award-winning filmmaker David Fincher. He is renowned for his work on iconic films such as Seven and Fight Club, while also making an impact with modern classics like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Gone Girl.
Why Was It Cancelled?
The first season of Mindhunter debuted with a full 10 episodes in October 2017, followed by a second highly demanded season in August 2019. However, after that, it was announced there would be no more. It is believed that the reason for its failure to continue was budgeting and costs, because the show became too expensive to make. According to reports, Fincher claimed the show did not garner quite enough viewers to fund the high cost of the storytelling required for the production, and Netflix was not willing to invest.
Lasting Legacy
A viewer described those first two series as "one of the best dramas ever produced for television!" Someone else claimed: "One of my favourite shows. I still can believe it was cancelled." Despite its premature end, Mindhunter remains a beloved series, streaming now on Netflix.
