MINDHUNTER, A NEW SERIES
From The Devilish Mind Of David Fincher on Netflix
In the realm of law enforcement, few men are more legendary than the original “criminal profiler,” John Douglas. His life’s work, of learning what makes serial killers tic and identifying their evil traits, forever changed the way cops pursue criminals. He was the inspiration behind such iconic works as Red Dragon (and its more famous sequel, The Silence of the Lambs), and the popular CBS procedural, Criminal Minds. In 1995, Douglas co-wrote a book, Mind Hunter: Inside FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit, and now that book is serving as the inspiration for a new Netflix Original Series created by acclaimed Hollywood film director, David Fincher.
Fincher is no stranger to heinous crime stories, having directed such films as Seven, Zodiac, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, all of which are psychological thrillers with a plausible human psychosis at their core. Naturally, he’s a perfect fit for Mindhunter, a fictionalized portrayal of the FBI in 1979.
Jonathan Groff plays Holden Ford, an FBI agent loosely based on Douglas himself, while Holt McCallany co-stars as Bill Tench, his partner. Together, they interview various serial killers to develop their universal method of criminal profiling and help stop murderers across the country.
Groff is mostly known for his work on the stage (Hamilton, Spring Awakening), though he did star in HBO‘s Looking and, in a role decidedly more family friendly than a criminal profiler, was the adorkable Kristoff in Disney’s Frozen. Meanwhile, McCallany is known for his scene-stealing turns in movies like Run All Night and Blackhat, as well as a recurring role in the early years of CSI: Miami. The man is built like a truck and put his impressive physique to good use in the underrated and short-lived FX drama, Lights Out, where he played an aging boxer with one last shot at the heavyweight title. He’s one of this generation’s most under-appreciated actors, but Mindhunter will hopefully elevate his star to where it truly deserves to be.
Mindhunter debuts October 13 on Netflix. Just make sure the kids are down before you binge-watch it. And make sure you’re ready for even more, since the series has already been renewed for a second season.
