Jo Nesbo's adaptation of his own bestselling Harry Hole novels for Netflix has left critics underwhelmed. The Norwegian author, known for his meticulous writing, wrote the entire nine-part screenplay, but the result is a series that adds little to the books. According to a review by Christopher Stevens, the show offers a 'sordid, brutish atmosphere' but fails to capture the psychological depth of the novels.
The first episode crams in too much backstory, including Harry's alcoholism, a career-wrecking blunder, his difficult childhood, and his fear of commitment. This approach, Stevens notes, feels like 'being buttonholed in a pub by a man who insists on unloading his entire life story before you can even get to the bar.' The series seems designed for those who lack the time or inclination to read the original books.
One persistent issue from the novels is even more pronounced on screen: it is hard to understand why Harry's colleagues and bosses tolerate his charmless arrogance and rule-breaking. The show also features a soundtrack by Nick Cave, but this does little to elevate the material. Stevens describes the adaptation as 'oddly disappointing,' noting that Nesbo's vision now feels outdated, much like the recent Amazon Prime adaptation of Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta.
Despite its flaws, the series does clarify the correct pronunciation of the protagonist's name: 'Hooler', not 'Hole'. However, this small detail does little to salvage an adaptation that, in Stevens' view, proves once again that 'the books are so much better.'
