The Chestnut Man (2021)

The Chestnut Man (2021) is a dark, slow-burning Nordic noir series that begins with a chilling discovery: on a blustery October morning in a quiet Copenhagen suburb, a young woman is found brutally murdered in a playground, one hand deliberately removed, and a small figure made from chestnuts hanging above her. That grotesque calling card launches an investigation that quickly expands from a local crime scene into a politically fraught, emotionally charged hunt for a remorseless killer. You follow ambitious young detective Naia Thulin and her new partner Mark Hess as they piece together unsettling clues. A small, mysterious evidence thread on the chestnut figure links the murder to a missing girl from a year earlier — the presumed-dead daughter of influential politician Rosa Hartung — pulling the case into the heart of public and private power. As layers of deception and past trauma surface, the detectives must navigate institutional pressure, media attention, and their own vulnerabilities. Viewing experience: expect oppressive, rain-swept atmospherics, methodical police work, and escalating tension rather than jump-scare horror. The series balances forensic detail and procedural plotting with psychological depth and moral ambiguity. The chestnut man itself becomes an eerie symbol that keeps surfacing, ratcheting up dread as each episode reveals new twists and human consequences. Fans of Nordic noir and tense crime dramas will appreciate the moody visuals, intricate plotting, and emotionally driven performances. The Chestnut Man is gripping, unsettling, and ultimately a character-driven mystery that builds toward revelation — a slow, immersive watch that rewards attention and patience.

Actors: David Dencik, Danica Curcic, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard

Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery

7.7 /10 7.7 /10