“The Breakthrough” on Netflix is a Swedish True Crime Series about a cold case of a shocking double homicide, one of the longest running cases in history. Is the series worth the chill or would you develop cold feet after starting it?
Storyline
In October 2004, a peaceful morning in the Swedish town of Linköping turns chaotic when an 8-year-old boy on his way to school is brutally attacked. Gunila, a lady in her fifties, on her way to work, makes an attempt to intervene but it costs her life too. The killer? A man in a hood who disappears in broad daylight.
Along comes Detective John Sundin, a dedicated cop. The murder weapon is recovered, and a shaken witness, a lady called Karin, claims to have seen the killer up close. The case appears pretty simple and John plans to wind it up quickly and be by his pregnant wife’s side. However, there is a slight problem. Karin is unable to recall the killer’s face, and the DNA found doesn’t match anyone in the police database.
What follows is weeks and months of interviewing thousands of witnesses and neighbourhood people, carrying out countless profiling and tests, and yet no leads. As months becomes years, there is frustration among the investigators as well as the victims’ families. John’s personal life spirals as the case consumes him, leaving him with heaps of files and almost no hope. But just as the case seems to be headed towards cold storage after 16 labourious years, a genealogist, Per Skogkvist, steps in.
Can Per’s innovative methods provide a breakthrough? Or is it too late, and has the case already died a painful death?
Our critique
The premise is no doubt gripping—a random double homicide with no apparent motive. The opening scene sets an emotional tone and one empathises with John as well as the families. The show’s depiction of investigative procedures—DNA sampling, testing, and the frequent dead ends—feels realistic. The tension restores as Per brings fresh energy to the stalled investigation and his meticulous research and perseverance lift up the narrative, though it’s a long wait to get there.
The middle episodes, however, drag like a tired tortoise. The narrative fails to maintain momentum after the initial splash of action, prompting you to hit the Forward button since the case is stuck. While the research done on the investigation is commendable, tighter editing could have made the journey a bit comfortable. Music and camerawork complement the mood.
Screen Performances
Peter Eggers aces as Detective John Sundin, exhibiting the frustration and unyielding determination of a man obsessed, even at the cost of his personal life. Mattias Nordkvist is equally solid as Per Skogkvist, a genius genealogist balancing his work with his set of personal baggage. The supporting cast does well to advance the narrative.
Overall opinion
A well-researched and heartfelt narrative told without any drama. In fact, with the right pacing, a two-hour movie might have been more apt than a stretched-out series. It’s worth a watch, but maybe keep some coffee handy.
Our rating
