Criminal: Germany (2019) User Reviews

Intense Series. Absolutely a Must Watch.

[mattdarey · 9/10 · 20 September 2019]

The German series is a must watch. The dialogues are on point, the script has twists and interrogation techniques are visceral. Each Episode of 40 minutes keeps you guessing who did what and why with realistic twists. A wonderful blend of emotion, anger and logic, these short stories are entertaining as well as gives a deeper look into why people do what they do. Nina Hoss (Homeland), Sylvester Groth (Inglorious Basterds) and Eva Meckbach deliver intense yet realistic performances.

As a huge fan of Mindhunter, this is no less with faster storytelling and BANG ON without any drag. I give a 10 but would reserve 9/10 for the sake of sanity. Don't miss this.

Absolutely riveting !!

[Vindelander · 8/10 · 21 September 2019]

Just like the French, Spanish and English versions this series is unbelievably good and it's just a shame that the episodes are so short and few. Hopefully they'll develop the concept into a longer series as we're only just getting to know the characters by the end of episode 3.

Great casting and storyline and eminently suitable for adaptation to the stage.

"Deutschland" is the best one

[vomitukitapligi · 9/10 · 30 March 2020]

I think; Spain is the worse one. Episode 1 is good but 2 and 3 of them.. have exaggerated feelings

the best version among the four countries

[toddcha · 10/10 · 25 September 2019]

I started this series from France. Each country has its own characteristics which you definitely can see if you pay attention to it.

Since it is about criminal investigations so I did not expect the tension between the detectives and the criminals. My focus, on the other hand, is how the detectives crack open a window and get the criminals to take their own stories. If you expect to see water tortures or techniques that have been repeatedly use over and over in action movies, then please turn to other titles. This series is not ideal for you.

The first episode of Germany version is not attractive AT ALL. I have to be honest with you. In comparison to other three first episodes, the Germany 1st episode did not catch my eyes. Keep in mind that not only the investigation is the main focus in the first episode, but the relationship inside the team is introduced.

However, the consequence of the 2nd episode freshens up my perspective on this series. The twist in the 3rd episode really goes into my heart. The acting is really so good that I almost can feel the hatred, loss, and desire from the criminal's eyes.

In contrast, the ending of the 3rd episode of France version and UK version looks more like an opening of the storyline of the investigation team. Not really focus/closure on the investigation.

Good acting, good storyline (not sure if any of them is true), very worthy watching.

Simply Outstanding

[Jean-Phillipe · 10/10 · 26 September 2019]

Of the four, Criminal: Germany is simply outstanding. It's emotionally visceral, visually striking, and smart. The relationships between the team members is palpable and the subtle use of pauses and facial expressions was so well acted it feels just how you imagine a "real world" Detective Unit would feel. It reminded me in part so much of Andre Braugher and Kyle Secor's work in Homicide: Life on the Street. All 3 episodes are hard hitting and I cried like a baby. Bravo Netflix! This is the kind of fare we crave. My hats off to Criminal: France as well, which I rated 9/10 only due to a less than strong first episode, but the tension and camaraderie among the French team puts it on the must watch list! Criminal: UK I gave 8/10 only because I felt like David Tennant was underutilized and I wanted full on Broadchurch Tennant. Looking forward to season 2 for these three shows.

Really Gripping

[mohinderchugh · 21 September 2019]

Criminal Germany is gripping and intense movie. It keeps you on the edge and you always wonder what will happen next. Story telling is engrossing and unique. I strongly recommend this series.

At least the cast is more attractive than Spain...

[taedirish · 7/10 · 20 February 2021]

I'm a big fan of Criminal UK, it set the bar for the sister shows. I didn't care for Spain, perhaps it was the lame translation, but Germany seems to be the closest to UK that I've seen yet. I'm impressed at how similar the sets are, but so far none of them have lived up to the expectations set by UK. Just when I thought Germany might be a decent version, in comes the 50-something old German guy flinging his coat and stomping his foot. I'm afraid he's going to wreck the entire series for me...

Another winner just as the UK & Spanish versions

[gibbs-18172 · 10/10 · 21 September 2019]

Watched all 12 of these 4 different countries, 12 different cases split between 4 teams of detectives. Interesting and intriguing.

Definitely one case here is a direct referance to one of the most infamous serial killers in British and I'd say world history. ( No spoilers given however )

Very good , not too bad the dubbing on this one but the subtitles give more authentic vibe.

Germany deffo as something going on I hope to be revealed in another series.

DONT BAIL ON US NETFLIX!

Lacks subtlety

[tureluur-99170 · 7/10 · 22 January 2022]

It's interesting enough, and the setup is the same as the UK version: separate cases with a suspect in the interrogation room. But the German version of Criminal lacks the subtlety of the UK version, as do the Spanish and French versions. Besides, the acting isn't as good as in Criminal: UK.

Great show 👍 Episode 3 is the best

[Un78657 · 10/10 · 23 September 2019]

Gripping story line, great actors - especially Nina hoss ...she's amazing! I want to see more from Criminal Germany 😆👌 Anyway...worth to watch 😅

Not your usual crime series - but nonetheless a must watch!

[jossanjonasson · 7/10 · 14 July 2020]

It's a bit different as it's all about the interrogations and the "intimate" moments between the detectives and the criminals in the same set up, throughout the different countries, trying to get the suspects to confess. Although a part of me is missing something, all episodes and serie "finales" leave unanswered questions and open threads that I would love to see the ending of. Other then that, it's a great show and I'd totally recommend it to any crime fanatic such as myself.

To get the best experience out of it - watch each country with the original languages.

Excellent

[joannamaskell-52705 · 10/10 · 28 September 2019]

Really great show. Interesting to see just what occurs in interrogation rooms.

P.S. ireneandtony-03118 if it was dubbed then you chose (or it defaulted to) a dubbed version. For me, it defaulted to German with English subtitles. I am in the US... not sure if it defaults differently for other countries.

Highly recommend ( criminal UK too)

[antorinaldi · 7/10 · 26 September 2020]

All the episodes are great but the third one is a must watch. The conversation between the woman detective and the serial killer is too good. The performances are great!

Pale in comparison to Criminal: UK

[fumar-58759 · 3/10 · 7 June 2020]

I have only seen the first episode, but it will be my last. To be fair in general I don't watch many German series, because the dialogs and the acting file often to artificial. Exactly this is the case here. The actors seem to wait to act there part and nothing else. Not much facial expressions.

The best out of the 4 countries

[vinerai · 10/10 · 26 September 2019]

Criminal germany is really good. The best out of tje 4 criminal series. Way better than the other 3. I watched it dubbed in english. I was glued the the screen. Criminal france was the worse one.

This is how you do it!

[iulianturicianu · 10/10 · 14 May 2020]

I agree with other reviewers that the German version of this series is the best. Especially first and third episodes, gripping from start to end, the interrogation team feels really professional, unlike the French and Spanish one, they genuinely want to find out the truth, and not traumatize even more and throw tantrums at the person across the table, just by going on a hunch. Shout out to the actors as well, who do an amazing job, especially the person being interrogated in the third episode, I wasn't prepared for such a tour de force in terms of acting. I also noticed with the German series, the overall tone is much more subtle, it really sucks you in and it's even poetic at times. Would love to see more episodes of it.

Very Good

[tannergroves · 9/10 · 24 March 2020]

I thought this was very well acted. I was legitimately glued to the screen. It's not your typical poloce procedural. I would love to see more episodes. Not sure if this one was my favorite because it was the first one I watched, regardless, I thought it was excellent.

By far the best of the multiple nation franchise

[bemelius · 10/10 · 5 December 2019]

This was great to watch! Keep this for later, if your intend to watch the other countries. If you start with it, you'd probably get frustrated over the French and especially the Spanish installment. UK was good too.

Tense

[baunacholi-86159 · 9/10 · 11 December 2019]

The German version of criminal is in my POV the strongest one. France very close the runner up followed by Uk / Spain. The cases in Germany are extremely tense. Esp the 1st and 3rd one was gripping from the start. I can understand why the 1st did not resonate with all viewers as it was very German heavy in regards to the Berlin wall and the specific spirit during that time in the country. The twist got me completely off guard. An unusual and clever move from the writers! The 2nd story had also its moments however the reveal was not as impactful as in the previous one. In the 3rd one it got again super taff and it was a psychologically rollercoaster throughout. Great performance by Mrs Hoss. Clear recommendation. 9/10

France, wow what an achievement! The stories are all 3 tricky and unique. You really felt with the characters and it was hard to watch seeing their life collapsing. Very emotional. Great job! 8.5/10

Spain was hard to watch too but not for the obvious reason. Quite some overacting which was not needed cause of in general great stories. The 2nd one was played very believable and had some gut wrenching moments. 7/10

UK was also a mixed bag in my opinion. Not bad at all but compared to Germany and France not as impactful. Still interesting stories (liked the 1st one the most) police work and investigation. 7/10

Meh

[alexx-purchase · 3/10 · 14 December 2019]

I haven't lived in Germany for more than 20 years but I have never heard anyone talking like the actors before. It feels like it was written in a different language and then translated badly. The acting seemed wooden, but I think it was the poor script rather than bad acting. I liked the English one, the Spanish one seemed out of its depth too. Again, I guess it was all written in English and then translated. Didn't enjoy it all. Still give a few stars for the effort of the female cast

Germany >>

[ajitmahto14 · 9/10 · 17 December 2020]

Probably the best out of the 4. (2nd best after UK 2) I watched it in English but I'm sure the emotions would be great in German. Just watch it the season finale is great

The third episode was brilliantly crafted with a satisfying dramatic resolution

[steiner-sam · 9/10 · 3 June 2022]

They are police procedurals focused entirely on the interrogation of suspects by a specialized police team. The questioning occurs in a room observed by other officers who are not part of the direct interrogation.

The primary interrogators in the three episodes are Detective Chief Inspector Kurl Schulz (Sylvester Groth) and Detective Chief Inspector Nadine Keller (Eva Mackbach). Nadine is an outside inspector reviewing the local operation; she is also in advanced pregnancy.

The first episode deals with a missing person and suspected homicide by a real estate developer, Jochen Müller (Peter Kurth). The second involves a Turkish man, Yilmaz Yussef (Deniz Arora), accused of physically abusing his German wife. Finally, the third episode concerns the partner of a deceased serial killer, Claudia Hartmann (Nina Hoss), who refuses to provide the burial location of one of the victims.

The nature of the Criminal series demands excellent verbal scripts that establish a credible story. I thought the German stories were better than the "Criminal: UK" episodes I watched earlier. The third episode was brilliantly crafted with a satisfying dramatic resolution. The viewer is forced to see the humanity of all the characters in this splendid story.

Superb Acting. Hanekesque Emotions

[MeadtheMan · 8/10 · 19 May 2021]

This is my favourite instalment of the Criminal: Country series. Plot twists and superb acting extended the confines of the four walls - within which most of the "action" takes place. This extension kept me intrigued throughout the whole show. Wise use of the auxiliary spaces of the building as well as sufficient external interjections allow you to imagine what goes on beyond the walls. Compared to other Criminal (in order of preference):

Criminal: UK - this is my second favourite, but there's a teeny bit of unnecessary posturing - in both acting and narrative setup - that makes it seem a little self-conscious of its own intelligence.

Criminal: France - this suffers from a slight issue of style over substance.

Criminal: Spain - just too much talking..

Some really great storytelling

[EeeGee · 10/10 · 28 September 2020]

I've enjoyed all the Criminal series, although I haven't watched UK yet, but I think Germany is my favourite so far.

As procedurals go, this concept could potentially be so boring, but it's just not at all, and the storytelling in the Germany iteration has kept me hooked even more than the others, trying to figure out any twists.

Just great.

Bad acting ruins it :/

[infodaveklein · 1/10 · 5 November 2019]

The English version is not bad, but this is sadly ridiculous. The acting is bad and every German that has just some reeeeaally basic knowledge about the German justice system realised how bad the scripts are and how the whole thing turns out is absurd