Midnight at the Pera Palace

A time-travel murder mystery set predominately in 1919 Istanbul. It doesn't take itself too seriously, the plot is well handled - for the most part, pretty decent acting and some nice scenery. Most importantly, the characters are likeable and by the end I was up for a second series.

Began watching with zero expectations, wavered a few episodes in but glad I persevered. It seemed a bit all over the place to begin with, but I gradually learned to trust the writers knew where they were going. There are some neat twists and turns and points where it was initially confusing - only to be resolved quite satisfyingly.

It features a strong female lead, notably, a character with strengths and weaknesses - it makes some mild feminist points without being woke or overbearing (other writers could learn something here). Not sure how historically accurate any of it is (it is a time travel story after all) and it does delve into some intriguing alternative history.

The Brits don't come out of it too well - something of a common theme lately, but it's inoffensive stuff.

The cinematography, production and quality is quite good as a Turk I can confirm that this is one of the best fantasy-historical Turkish series I've ever seen. On the first 3 episodes It lacks something that I can't really describe. Maybe she isn't shocked enough to be in a different period of time? Or she isn't aware of the risk she takes? Something makes it odd about actress but overall it's SO GOOD definitely recommend!

This show is genius. At the beginning when i saw the trailer i felt it's ridiculous, i was not going to watch it. But then when I started watching it gets better! Slow burning but it's worth it. Especially the last 2 episodes (9&10) where amazing. I hope the 2nd season be released soon! BTW usually I dislike turkish series, especially because of the language but I'm thankful and grateful for watching it on NETFLIX, because I watched it with English audio which was great and fun. I loved it! And thank you netflix, i love you you're the best streaming app!!!

Reviewers are thinking the lead role has done poor acting, but the actual problem is the script. The character Esra is a journalist who wants to do something big in the world, but she talks and acts likes a 5 year old or less. The character herself is portrayed as the biggest idiot of Istanbul, so we cant blame the actress for this. She was just acting the way the script demanded it to be. Sometimes I felt I was watching the film, 'The Princess Bride' or some movie of that kind. It's like a parody and is filled with potholes.

I am writing this review after watching the 5th episode of the show and unable to take the poor screenplay...

Don't mind the negative comments too much. . This is not a serious time travel movie but more a past - present time mixed fantasy kind one. Early 1900's istanbul scenes mixed with the late 20th century pop music is the one example. I am being a time travel movies fan, I have seen many American or western films of this kind but when a turkish film becomes to have the similar plot and the narrative style, the Turkish audience rejects it. The Turks would have appreciated this film if it had been of Western origin but they only criticizes this film because it belongs to their same country. A strange characteristic paradox. Hazal Kaya with her joyful childlike acting deserves more positive comments I think in a fantastic kind film and fits his role very well and both the photography and the staging and the cinematography are as fabulous as the costumes of the time. Also the interesting plot with a curious continuity. Don't wait for a masterpiece but there are many things to enjoy you inside.