Acclaimed by critics and a cult favourite among viewers, Dark is one of Netflix’s ambitious series ever. Included by the BBC among the best TV series of the 21st century, this German thriller blends science fiction with mystery, taking viewers on a gripping journey through different eras, family secrets, and time paradoxes. At its core are four families whose lives are intertwined by mysterious disappearances and destinies shaped across generations.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the main review aggregator, Dark earned an impressive 95% approval rating. Fans also voted it the best Netflix original series, surpassing Black Mirror with 80% of the vote.
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Dark – all the key details
- Original title: Dark
- Format: TV Series
- Duration: 3 seasons, 26 episodes
- Genre: Thriller, science fiction, drama
- Country of production: Germany
- Original language: German
- Production / Release Year: 2017–2020
- Creators: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese
- Main cast: Louis Hofmann, Maja Schöne, Karoline Eichhorn, Stephan Kampwirth
- Production: Wiedemann & Berg Television for Netflix
What Dark is about
The German TV series delves into the complexities of family and emotional relationships, intertwined with a time-travel element. The disappearance of a child sparks a frantic search for answers, leading four families to uncover a staggering mystery spanning three generations. The story begins in the town of Winden, where news spreads of Michael Kahnwald’s apparent suicide. His note reads, “Do not open before November 4.” On that day, Jonas, Michael’s son, returns home from a psychiatric clinic and finds the town shaken by a series of mysterious disappearances, including that of Mikkel Nielsen.
From this point on, the plot becomes even more captivating as another reality emerges, revealing many secrets from 33 years earlier in Winden. Following the principle of self-consistency typical of time travel, the series unfolds a series of engaging twists that have captivated genre fans. In the first two seasons, a time loop, guarded and protected by Adam and the followers of “Sic Mundus,” takes center stage. By the third season, Eva—Adam’s counterpart in a parallel world—is introduced, adding a new layer of complexity to the story.
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The Cast of Dark
Dark features a large ensemble cast, primarily divided among four central families: the Kahnwalds, Nielsens, Dopplers, and Tiedemanns. The following actors appear in nearly all 26 episodes of the series:
- Louis Hofmann (Jonas Kahnwald),
- Maja Schöne (Hannah Kahnwald),
- Karoline Eichhorn (Charlotte Doppler),
- Stephan Kampwirth (Peter Doppler),
- Lisa Vicari (Martha Nielsen),
- Oliver Masucci (Ulrich Nielsen),
- Andreas Pietschmann (The Traveler)
Critics and audience reviews
Acclaimed by critics and beloved by viewers, Dark is widely regarded as one of the most complex and captivating series ever produced by Netflix. On Rotten Tomatoes it holds an impressive 95% approval rating, while on IMDb it holds an average score of 8.7/10, with thousands of enthusiastic reviews. Some call it “Netflix’s ultimate masterpiece,” while others admit they “lowered their rating for Stranger Things after watching Dark.” Audiences praise its narrative coherence—“every detail comes back, every character has a role”— and philosophical depth, describing it as “more than a series: an experience that shakes you and makes you think.”
Some viewers note that the series’ initial complexity can be challenging, but they consider it an essential part of its appeal. Not surprisingly, Dark was included by BBC Culture among the best TV series of the 21st century.
The locations of Dark
Most outdoor scenes were filmed at the Fahrtechnik Akademie in Kallinchen, near Berlin, a former East German military training area now converted into a driving training facility for different road surfaces.
When to watch the show on Netflix
Dark was released on Netflix on December 1, 2017 ► Watch on Netflix
