The Sinner
2017
Original language: English
- crime
- drama
The story
In a small New York town, a haunted detective hunts for answers about perplexing crimes while wrestling with his own demons.
What it’s like
Cool, sun-washed summer light gives way to damp, dim interiors in this anthology crime drama, with a restrained palette of muted greens, greys and washed-out blues and a camera that lingers on faces and small domestic gestures. Its sound is sparse: a low, unsettling score that swells at moments of unrest and otherwise lets wind, insects and distant traffic fill the quiet. The mood is melancholy and watchful, a slow unravelling of memory and guilt, and it suits a late, lonely evening or a focused binge when you want to be pulled into something heavy but thoughtful. Its arcs follow damaged people trying to reckon with what they have done and what has been done to them, and the pacing is deliberate, with long investigative stretches punctuated by sudden, disturbing bursts. Violence is present and can be sharp and upsetting, including a psychotic attack and a murder, along with drug use and references to religious fervour; it is strong and intense but mostly not gratuitous. Best for viewers who want psychological crime drama with atmosphere and emotional weight rather than a light or gentle watch.
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