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The Killing

2007 – 2012Show3 seasons40 episodesTV-MA

CrimeMystery
82
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.4

A slow-burning, nerve-racking crime series about crime and mystery, with standout performances and world-building.

Good for friends night · binge-friendly · thought-provoking

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · you want fast pacing

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, comfort or laughs.

Shows with

Episodes

3 seasons · 40 episodes · best: S3E10 "Afsnit 10" 8.5

Episodes

7.9
7.8
7.9

Story

The Killing is a Danish police procedural set in the Copenhagen main police department and revolves around Detective Inspector Sarah Lund and her team, with each season series following a different murder case day-by-day and a one-hour episode covering twenty-four hours of the investigation. The series is noted for its plot twists, season-long storylines, dark tone and for giving equal emphasis to the story of the murdered victim's family alongside the police investigation. It has also been singled out for the photography of its Danish setting, and for the acting ability of its cast.

Feels like

  • Nordic Noir
  • Political Thriller
  • Slow-Burn Mystery
  • Psychological Tension
  • Social Realism
  • Ensemble Cast Drama
  • Atmospheric Crime Procedural
  • Melancholic Tone
  • Intricate Plotting

Cast

24 of 248 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Kristoffer Nyholm, Hans Fabian Wullenweber, Henrik Ruben Genz
Written by
Søren Sveistrup, Torleif Hoppe, Michael W. Horsten
Music by
Frans Bak

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

January 7, 2007 · November 25, 2012 · Ended

First aired
January 7, 2007
Last aired
November 25, 2012
Status
Ended
Length
3 seasons · 40 episodes
Age rating
TV-MA
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language
Genres
Crime, Mystery, Drama
Original language
Danish
Made in
Denmark
Available in
17 countries

Tropes

Poor Communication Kills, Cryptic Background Reference, Dropped A Bridge On Her +9

  • Poor Communication Kills
  • Cryptic Background Reference
  • Dropped A Bridge On Her
  • Serial Killer
  • Unresolved Sexual Tension
  • Street Urchin
  • Cigarette of Anxiety
  • Retirony
  • Ivy League for Everyone
  • Disposing of a Body
  • Office Romance
  • Secret Sex Worker

12 of 158 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream The Killing?"

Questions about The Killing

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Killing?

The RokuKanopyHooplaMZ ChoiceMhz ChoicePlexTubi TV

In the United States, The Killing streams on MZ Choice and Mhz Choice, and it is free with ads on The Roku, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, and Tubi TV. It also streams in 15 other countries.

Is The Killing worth watching?

82
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 82 (IMDb 8.4).

How long does it take to watch The Killing?

40 h

About 40 hours: 40 episodes in 3 seasons of about 60 minutes each, aired from 2007 to 2012.

Will I feel good after watching The Killing?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for bleakness and 7 for melancholy, against 2 for hopefulness.

Is The Killing in English?

Danish

No, it was made in Danish.

What tropes does The Killing use?

Poor Communication KillsCryptic Background ReferenceDropped A Bridge On HerSerial KillerUnresolved Sexual TensionStreet UrchinCigarette of AnxietyRetironyIvy League for EveryoneDisposing of a BodyOffice RomanceSecret Sex Workerand 146 more

TV Tropes lists 158 tropes for it, including Poor Communication Kills, Cryptic Background Reference, and Dropped A Bridge On Her.