It was solely a matter of time earlier than somebody obtained spherical to taking over the true-crime podcast phenomenon that’s seen journalists rake over grisly murders, violent kidnappings and horrifying intercourse abuse instances. Enter author Jez Scharf and the Irish-set Bodkin, a scrumptious fish-out-of-water seven-part Netflix sequence that balances real detective thrills with laid-back laughs. Assume Father Ted meets Twin Peaks – with much more eels.
American star Will Forte (a Saturday Evening Reside alumnus, whose film work contains Nebraska and MacGruber) performs Gilbert Energy, an American podcaster over in Eire in search of out his Irish roots. Arriving within the fictional city of Bodkin, he’s joined by Emmy (Robyn Cara), an enthusiastic researcher, out within the discipline for the primary time. After which there’s Dove (Siobhán Cullen), the cynical investigative reporter despatched again to West Cork by her editor to put low after a scandal and assist out Gilbert.
The plan is to analysis into the disappearance of three children from years earlier – together with the brother of native bigwig Seamus (David Wilmot). However quickly Dove is digging into what’s actually occurring Bodkin, a city the place criminality lurks simply beneath the floor. Wearing an extended black coat and sun shades, trying a bit like Carrie-Anne Moss’ Trinity from The Matrix, her hard-bitten credentials will at all times lead her to search for the story behind the story.
Positive sufficient, the locals begin taking umbrage with Dove and co. poking their noses into their enterprise. “Let the previous go – it’s performed nothing to you,” says one, whereas Dove is quickly accosted by two balaclava-wearing assailants as they try to scare her off the crushed observe. Instantly, automobiles are set on hearth and a rustic that’s “by no means even had a serial killer” begins to look as suspect as Donald Trump’s end-of-year accounts.
With out going too bizarre, Scharf does conjure up an amusing image of rural Eire, the place locals play weird video games (bowling a steel ball down the nation roads) or drive a tractor with disco lights and a speaker blaring out Amii Stewart’s ‘Knock on Wooden’. There’s additionally loads of spooky goings-on, just like the wolf that seems nearly all over the place that Dove goes, as a thriller murkier than an Irish bathroom unfurls.
Whereas the humour is essentially low-key, Forte amuses because the Yankee exploring the Emerald Isle, particularly when he places on his earnest ‘podcast presenter’ voice. Nevertheless it takes two (or three) to tango, and Cara and Cullen deliver simply as a lot to the desk. Particularly, Cullen is neatly forged because the ballsy hack who thinks nothing of snooping round residents’ homes or telling a baby to “fuck off” once they insult her new sun shades.
Away from the primary trio, The Younger Offenders’ Chris Walley pops up as Seán, who turns into the primary gang’s driver when he isn’t disappearing for hours on finish. However progressively you’ll come to like all of the characters on this quirky ensemble. It’s a slow-burner, filling your glass progressively like an excellent pint of Guinness. However sup down one episode and also you’ll be racing via the remainder, determined to crack open Bodkin’s a number of mysteries.
‘Bodkin’ streams on Netflix from Could 9
