42 Tage ohne Spur

As Episode 1 of "42 Days of Darkness" (2022 release from Chile; 6 episodes of 45 to 60 min each) opens, we fins ourselves somewhere in Chile and it is "June 29, 2010". We are introduced to a family of four. The husband is on his way to dropping off the two daughters at school, The wide, a woman named Veronica, hears a knock on the door, and she opens. It's not long before we realize she has disappeared, and feared kidnapped... At this point we are 10 min into Episode 1.

Couple of comments; let me just state the obvious upfront: I was not familiar with anyone on this production team or among the actors and actresses that are in this series. The plot is super heavy (and based on a true story), and my description of the initial 10 min does not give you a good sense of what all will take place (but neither am I going to spoil it here). Bottom line: it didn't take long for me to realize that this mini-series is right up my alley. The writing is strong, the characters are fleshed out. And the setting (in Chile) is an extra bonus.

All episodes of "42 Days In Darkness" started streaming on Netflix a few weeks ago, and I'm just now catching up on it. I've seen the first 2 episodes so far and it won't be long before I'll watch the remaining 4 episodes. If you dig true crime stories, and love an "exotic" setting like this one in Chile, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

*UPDATE* I've now seen all episodes, and have upgraded my overall rating from 7 to 8 stars. The last 2 episodes are absolutely outstanding, and my main reason for upgrading my rating.

I guess some viewers just don't "get it". Being forever groomed by "hollow"-wood tv and movies, this film is not uber-lite viewing and not for the impatient. No, this doesn't have the young, shallow stereo-typical characters pulled from model magazines. It's not a fast, lotsa-action-blood-shoot-em-up film with genius forensic folks who can hack into every databank in the world to catch the killer. Nope. This film, which I enjoyed right from the first epi, is a deep study in characters immersed in a mystery.

The story takes place in a small gated community in Chile and while one aspect of the film is certainly trying to solve "what happened", the director chooses to focus on those involved closest to the investigation. The local police are unsure of themselves. But the general public is certainly coming up with its own answers which, in turn, have their own effects. Meanwhile, questions persist, which path to follow? - emotions run high, doubts, obsessions, frustration, (secrets?) all push their boundaries. What happens to a family and those around them when a life event suddenly interupts their "normal"?

I admit, I watch a lot of films. From the low-brow to the high. There are a lot wonderful foreign films that I've enjoyed due to the fact they're so unlike the common American pulp. For me, finding the series 42 Dias de Obscuridad on Netflix was a refreshing weekend binge!

I enjoyed watching this show especially knowing the fact that it was based on true crime. The acting was superb, watching in English, the scenes, the events etc. I did not exclude the fact that this was a crime in Chile so laws slightly differ from that of US.

With all the junk and garbage shows nowadays, it felt refreshing to spend time watching this show. I really believe this show is worth every minute of it if you just want to watch a quality, no nonsense, drama.

It is not a thriller. If you go with that perspective, you will find it very underwhelming. It is a brilliant drama, with so many layers in its characters, events and the conclusion that it is truly refreshing after all the overly dramatized clutter you have around murder mysteries. It is not much of a mystery either, or maybe it is. However, it does seem a fairly accurate representation of the deep frustrations that surround attaining justice and closure for such crimes given the incompetency of the very system itself.

All the actors were brilliant, the protagonist in particular was phenomenal. The characters seem to behave as close to real life as one would imagine in such a scenario, and that is exactly what hooks you to this series. You truly root for almost every character in this series except for the obvious few. I know it is almost blasphemy for some, but it somewhat reminds you of 'The Wire'.

I found this show refreshing because it:

1. Was a Chilean production - I don't think I've seen one before.

2. Had beautiful scenery and so much water.

3. Felt like the conversations and situations were real.

4. Gave me a bit of a rest from tense psychological thrillers.

I didn't like:

1. The lack of suspects.

2. The abrupt and inconclusive ending.

3. Too much music,

7.5/10.