Other cast members and guest stars are: Finn Bennett, Fiona Shaw, Christopher Eccleston, Isabella Star LaBlanc, John Hawkes, Anna Lambe, Aka Niviâna, June Thiele, Diane Benson, and Joel D. Montgrand.
If moving, dramatic, and an oppressive atmosphere make up the kind of viewing experience you favor, you'll love this dark, gloomy mystery thriller.
Written and directed by showrunner Issa López, (spoiler alert) Night Country makes one believe something supernatural is at play. Or, at least it implies that ethnic people are more in touch with unseen energies or forces.I suppose in the end, it's up to the viewer to decide if that is what happens in this story, or perhaps what happens is the result of human villainy.
With Foster as the police chief and Reis as an Alaskan state trooper attempting to solve the mystery of what happened to 8 research scientists at a remote Arctic station, the story is enhanced by the film noir effect of the "days of night" that are listed during each episode.
I'm pretty sure Night Country wouldn't be recommended by the Alaska Tourism bureau. In fact, after watching it, I definitely wouldn't want to visit a place that dark, cold, gloomy, and depressing.
Most lead characters in a story have secrets and emotional baggage to overcome and "grow" as people. These 6 episodes boast every single character as deeply flawed, haunted by the past, unable to communicate civilly, and in tense, strained relationships with everyone in their lives. It's hard to find a character to "like" or root for when they all appear to need serious mental and emotional help.
To find out what had actually happened to the scientists and another mystery that was even more compelling. Not for the characters who were their own worst enemies.
The inconsistencies exhibited by the characters were irritating. Supposedly they were both smart law enforcement officers, but they did a lot of stupid things.
The kind of things that makes the viewer do an eyeroll and ask aloud, "Why did they go into an ice cave without a rope or a way of rescue if they fell?"
Just one example. The answer of course was that the plot called for them to find a hidden means of escape. Like Darling Hubby said, "I'm just glad that's over!"
The last few minutes of the story seemed out of place considering the content of the 6 episodes. It was as if the director, producer, or the showrunner/writer—whoever had the power to make decisions—decided that there had to be something upbeat that showed Foster's character had changed.
So there were 2 scenes of her being affable—smiling and answering questions without blowing up and a scene of her smiling and laughing with her stepdaughter. I suppose that symbolized character growth. Oh, and the sun was also shining so the "days of night" had obviously ended.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
Make no mistake, Foster and Reis gave stellar performances, but I would not watch this again. I know my review disagrees with the critics so maybe this is something you'd like? Like the old song goes, "Different strokes for different folks."
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