I am a devoted fan of Scandinavian crime fiction and I try to stay in touch with the latest novels, movies and television series of the genre, something rather hard as the productions are numerous, some of them mediocre and some great. ''Alex'' definitely belongs to the second category and I think that, along with ''Innan Vi Dor'' (2017), is the best that the Nordic Noir genre has to offer in the last two years. The story is set in Gothenburg and revolves around Alex Leko, a hard-boiled, corrupt cop who finds himself in an ugly mess after he accidentally shoots his colleague and close friend, Martin. Alex's situation soon becomes even worse when he clashes with a prime thug nicknamed BG and his son is kidnapped. The protagonist will have to take the matter in his own hands and find his son in a race against odds and time.
The plot moves forward at a frenetic pace and the tension rises in each episode leading to the climax of the last two episodes. The twists are plausible and satisfying, especially the big one in the ending of episode 5, while the charged relationships between the main characters provide many great dialogue scenes. Special mention should go to the two directors of the series, Manuel Concha and Alain Darborg who certainly know how to use the camera in order to successfully depict the protagonist's anguish, anger and despair which will result in extreme acts of brutality on his part. The action and fighting sequences are exemplary, as the viewer can literally feel the tension of the situation.
Dragomir Mrcic is a Yugoslavian ex-con, who did 3 and a half years in prison for his involvement in a bank robbery. He became famous for his portrayal of Mrado on Daniel Espinosa's ''Snabba Cash'', a film based on the titular novel by Jens Lapidus. The roles of Mrado and Alex are quite similar and Mrsic nails the role, being constantly enraged and on the edge, using his fists and martial arts knowledge in his interactions with the others. The rest of the cast is also good, with Anja Lundqvist being compelling in her role as Kim, Alex's spouse. Malin Arvidsson, known for her role as Kerstin Holm in the ''Arne Dahl'' series, also has a small part as Martin's wife, Sheila.
Overall, I was more than satisfied by ''Alex'' and I recommend it without any reservation to all crime fiction fans.
16 Reviews
A solid drama about a corrupt Swedish cop
Tweekums17 October 2018
This six part Swedish drama is centred on Alex Leko. He and his partner, Martin, have been in the pocket of crime boss BG for some time but after Alex accidentally shoots and kills Martin he wants out. BG refuses though; Martin was meant to be identifying the police mole in his organisation now he expects Alex to do it. Refusal could be very dangerous for him and his family. Alex is already suspected by his boss who gives him a new partner, Frida Kanto, who is tasked with digging up dirt on Alex.
This was a solid series with lots of tense moments, as well as quite a few shocks. It is pretty short so doesn't outstay its welcome thankfully it doesn't feel rushed either. Dragomir Mrsic impresses as Alex; he has a good brooding presence. Rakel Wärmländer also does as solid job as Frida. I was a little concerned that their characters' past relationship would lead to clichés but for the most part this is avoided. Anna Bjelkerud impresses as Alex's boss Ragnhild Björkfors; the supporting cast are pretty good too. As the end approaches there are some good twists; some may feel them a little melodramatic but at the time things are pretty exciting so it didn't bother me. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of Scandinavian drama looking for something a little grittier.
These comments are based on watching the series in Swedish with English subtitles.
This was a solid series with lots of tense moments, as well as quite a few shocks. It is pretty short so doesn't outstay its welcome thankfully it doesn't feel rushed either. Dragomir Mrsic impresses as Alex; he has a good brooding presence. Rakel Wärmländer also does as solid job as Frida. I was a little concerned that their characters' past relationship would lead to clichés but for the most part this is avoided. Anna Bjelkerud impresses as Alex's boss Ragnhild Björkfors; the supporting cast are pretty good too. As the end approaches there are some good twists; some may feel them a little melodramatic but at the time things are pretty exciting so it didn't bother me. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of Scandinavian drama looking for something a little grittier.
These comments are based on watching the series in Swedish with English subtitles.
I was surprised how good it is.
chrismonkee7 January 2019
I'm giving this puppy 8/10.
Really wasn't expecting much, then I ended up watching it all over the course of one evening.
First of these Scandi noir shows I did ever watched. Who'd thought there was so much murder up there? Not me, that's for sure. And the drugs. Blimey.
If you like a solid, multi-layered drama, and you don't mind subtitles then have at it.
Really wasn't expecting much, then I ended up watching it all over the course of one evening.
First of these Scandi noir shows I did ever watched. Who'd thought there was so much murder up there? Not me, that's for sure. And the drugs. Blimey.
If you like a solid, multi-layered drama, and you don't mind subtitles then have at it.
A good watch, but not among the finest Swedish crime series
BeneCumb22 May 2018
Last decade or so has seen so many good Scandinavian crime series that been-there-seen-that feeling is easy to arise, particularly in a relatively small country like Sweden where the number of film actors is not too big. Moreover, it is hard to believe that Swedish police force have to deal with so severe issues as depicted, and many scenes and solutions tend to imitate UK and US related series...
Dragomir Mrsic as Alex Leko is convincing though, but his co-performers are not too memorable, and the whole series lags behind such recent Swedish series as Innan vi dör or Springfloden, for example. On the other hand, if you like Snabba cash or Pusher type of works, then Alex is a logical follow-up.
Dragomir Mrsic as Alex Leko is convincing though, but his co-performers are not too memorable, and the whole series lags behind such recent Swedish series as Innan vi dör or Springfloden, for example. On the other hand, if you like Snabba cash or Pusher type of works, then Alex is a logical follow-up.
Not the usual Swedish crime drama...
mikael-970395 November 2017
Alex
When you think of Swedish crime drama you first will think of wallander and beck. Those are the old. Alex is the new!
Alex feels fresh and genuine. In the leading male we see Dragomir Mrsic (snabba cash) and leading female Malin Arvidsson (Arne Dahl, Vitt skräp).
The story is focused around Alex a dirty cop. He gets more and more dragged in to where he should not be.
This is an intense series. Smart directed and fast paced.
I would recommend everyone to at least give it a shoot. If you want to see Wallander this is not for you. If you want to see Wallander x 10 this is for you!
When you think of Swedish crime drama you first will think of wallander and beck. Those are the old. Alex is the new!
Alex feels fresh and genuine. In the leading male we see Dragomir Mrsic (snabba cash) and leading female Malin Arvidsson (Arne Dahl, Vitt skräp).
The story is focused around Alex a dirty cop. He gets more and more dragged in to where he should not be.
This is an intense series. Smart directed and fast paced.
I would recommend everyone to at least give it a shoot. If you want to see Wallander this is not for you. If you want to see Wallander x 10 this is for you!
we need more!
karimgabc12 April 2018
COULD have been great........but falls short in too many areas.
Pizzaowner15 January 2019
Within the first few frames of the movie, the main plot is revealed, and it's as old as the hills. I won't talk about it or my review will be classed as containing a 'spoiler'.
The acting is quite good and the sets and scenery is as well.
The casting was, for the most part at least, reasonably good but the writing.....it's SO predictable that almost every crisis-point is telegraphed ahead and ANYTHING that might later be a clue is shamelessly fore-shadowed so clearly that even a neophyte can recognize them.
The direction the 'plot' takes is so simple and singularly focused that events that would be UN-included in a serious series, are included and presented as casually as if it were a cartoon.
The first episode was not terrible but from then on it becomes increasingly predictable and at the same time implausible.
I was SERIOUSLY disappointed but then again.....why did I expect more
Don't waste your time on this VERY THIN 'you'll get what's coming to you" police drama...it's not worth it.
Fierce, tense , awesome!
Guanche4811 February 2021
If you like this kind of tense thrillers, with blood now and then, don't miss it! The burocracy of the police goes too far...! The rich politicians are often only thinking
on living well , big house, expensive cars, ... etc... with their gold credit card, but they don't do enough to catch the real baddd guysss.
That is the whole point of this series! Loved it! Amazed by the low rating and bad reviews!
An unoriginal Season 1 leads to a much improved Season 2
BaronVonKolisch9 March 2021
Season 1, like a stick of rock, has the words 'Swedish police drama' stamped right through it. In that sense, there is a distinct lack of originality, but in other ways, this tense thriller motors along in a lively fashion, dishing up the occasional plot twist along the way. Whilst it is suspenseful enough to keep your attention, you may hesitate to watch season 2, in case it's just more of the same. Well ... my advice is to welcome season 2 with open arms. Alex has been incarcerated for his illegal activities in the first season, but is allowed out on parole. Meanwhile, his wife and child have stumbled into a world of trouble, putting pressure on him to abscond. He must choose between the law and the lawless as he tries to carve out a viable future for his family. This time the story feels just as menacing, yet more organic, and the decisions that the characters make are quite shocking, haphazard, and stuttering. Truer to life. The action starts slowly, but ramps up in a captivating manner. It seems like the producers and writers stepped up their game considerably. My scores so far would be 7.3 and 8.2.
Less Intelligent Than Most Scandi Noir
altereggo1239 December 2019
Extremely cruel and violent, with no likeable characters or hero worth rooting for. The anti-hero is a hard-charging, coke-snorting, dirty cop who leaves a trail of destruction that does little to advance his goals. His adversary is an even more violent mob boss. The "good" police aren't very sympathetic either. The only reason I stayed with it was to see how all the bloodshed would come to an end. At least the season was only six episodes and not more.
A mistaken Swedish Shield
searchanddestroy-126 August 2020
I expected some kind of Swedish SHIELD or even BRAQUO, the tale of a rogue cop, as I crave for. But this series is not gritty, dark and brutal enough for me. The editing looks more than a movie, a long theater released film than a series. OK, there is much suspense but I repeat, that's not gloomy enough for my taste, the cop is not rotten enough for me. Maybe I expect too much, maybe, but I would like to have a real nasty head character, real disgusting character to change. This is not a real bad cop for me, as Richard Gere was in INTERNAL AFFAIRS. That was a real bad ass, and with style please.
Trite
susansundaisy23 August 2019
First season, i rated 8, second season 4-5...going down hill
binhpham-5910123 March 2021
First season was really really good! All was great, from plots, acting and directing. Second season, not so much, as most of the TV series and/or movies with follow ups. The second season, the main character, Alex, the actor is still very good, but the main female character was not too convincing and could be direction of the director, acted quite uninterested and logically ridiculous...I would fault the director for this.
Any way, i turned off this and watched something else after the 3rd episode.
Any way, i turned off this and watched something else after the 3rd episode.
Absolutely terrible
acker-169695 March 2023
Went in wanting to like it as I know the main character from "Bonus Family": and liked him there. I should say I couldn't make it through one full episode. For one thing, in this day and age any director making the decision to use Shaky-Cam ought to be ignored forever. Seriously, shaky cam? It isn't a documentary, and if it were documentary hand held cameras don't shake around as much as this. It is a totally bogus decision that literally ruins the experience.
On top of that the script had so many plot holes it was non existent. I don't think it's a spoiler to say any policeman in any police dept, involved or that was at a shooting, will get their gun checked against the deceased. Not here though. Nothing makes sense in this, it is not ground breaking, the background music, the style is not new or innovative, and again, shaky cam. Used as an attempt to make it more gritty, and fails miserably. I gave up.
On top of that the script had so many plot holes it was non existent. I don't think it's a spoiler to say any policeman in any police dept, involved or that was at a shooting, will get their gun checked against the deceased. Not here though. Nothing makes sense in this, it is not ground breaking, the background music, the style is not new or innovative, and again, shaky cam. Used as an attempt to make it more gritty, and fails miserably. I gave up.
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