In the Dark (2019) Review: A Gritty, Unconventional Crime Solver - 8/10 In the Dark is a show that defies easy categorisation, blending the procedural crime drama with pitch-black comedy and a deeply flawed, yet irresistibly compelling, protagonist. It’s a series that isn’t afraid to let its main character be unlikable, making her journey all the more fascinating and, against all odds, deeply human.
The Premise: A Blind Witness in a Seedy World
The series follows Murphy Mason (Perry Mattfeld), a hard-drinking, cynical, and self-destructive blind woman in her twenties. Her life consists of working at a guide dog school she hates, casual hookups, and navigating the world with a brutal, unfiltered honesty that pushes everyone away. Her only real friend is a young man named Tyson, who one night is murdered in a dark alley. When the police dismiss her account because of her disability, Murphy becomes obsessed with solving his murder, dragging her reluctant guide dog, Pretzel, and a cast of unwilling accomplices into the dangerous underworld of her city.
Strengths That Shine
A Star-Making, Fearless Performance: The entire show rests on Perry Mattfeld’s shoulders, and she carries it with breathtaking commitment. She portrays Murphy’s blindness with a raw authenticity that avoids cliché, focusing on the practicalities and the immense frustration. More than that, she fully embodies a character who is often her own worst enemy—sarcastic, manipulative, and deeply broken. Yet, Mattfeld infuses her with a vulnerability and a fierce, dogged loyalty that makes you root for her, even when you’re cringing at her choices.
A Refreshingly Unconventional Protagonist: Murphy Mason is a revelation in the world of TV detectives. She doesn’t have a badge, superpowers, or a genius intellect. She has sheer, stubborn will, a knack for getting under people’s skin, and an ability to listen and remember details that others miss. Her disability is not a superpower; it’s a challenge she weaponises, using people’s underestimation of her to her advantage.
More Than a Procedural: While the "case-of-the-week" format emerges, the show’s heart is the long-burning mystery of Tyson’s murder and its ripple effects. The supporting cast, including her hapless friend Felix (Morgan Krantz) and the initially skeptical police detective Dean (Rich Sommer), are given complex arcs of their own, transforming from bystanders into a deeply dysfunctional found family bound by trauma and secrets.
Why Not a Higher Score?
The show’s greatest strength—Murphy’s abrasive nature—can also be its biggest hurdle. Her relentless self-sabotage and treatment of those who care about her can be exhausting to watch over the long run. Some of the seasonal mysteries stretch credibility, and the constant cycle of bad decisions can feel repetitive.
The Verdict
8/10 - A Sharp, Addictive, and Deeply Human Drama
In the Dark is a hidden gem that deserves a wider audience. It’s a bold, gritty, and often surprisingly funny series that subverts the typical crime-solving trope with a protagonist you won’t soon forget. Perry Mattfeld’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary, anchoring a story that is as much about solving a crime as it is about a deeply damaged person finding a twisted sense of purpose and connection in the darkest corners of her world.
Watch it if: You enjoy anti-heroes, dark comedies, and character-driven mysteries with a truly unique lead.
Skip it if: You prefer likeable, morally upright protagonists or are looking for a straightforward, by-the-book police procedural.
