Nocturne Delivers a Chilling Serial-killer Chase, Despite Flaws
WHO:
A.V. Club - Jurek Walter, played by Stephen Graham, is a calculating murderer held in solitary confinement.
A.V. Club - Retired detective Jonah Lynn and FBI agent Saga Bauer investigate the case after alleged victim Michael Frost returns home; Landon Valentin plays Frost.
A.V. Club - The supporting cast includes Bill Camp, Poorna Jagannathan, Rory Culkin, Gary Carr, and Chrissy Metz.
A.V. Club - Creator Rowan Joffe adapted the Scandinavian noir novels *Lazarus* and *The Sandman*, written by Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril under the pen name Lars Kepler.
Collider - The Apple TV series *Nocturne* stars Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz, and Stephen Graham.
Screen Rant - *Nocturne* features Liev Schreiber and a critically acclaimed cast.
WHAT:
A.V. Club - The series opens with Jurek manipulating a neighboring prisoner through their toilets into committing violence.
A.V. Club - Saga goes undercover at Riverside as a criminal named Esther to get information from Jurek about Michael’s missing 17-year-old sister.
A.V. Club - The review covered seven of the series’ 10 episodes.
Roger Ebert - Top-notch production values, a remarkable ensemble, and sharp thriller plotting help *Nocturne* escape the shadow of its obvious influences.
Collider - *Nocturne* is described as a “decently solid crime thriller” that “could’ve been even better.”
Screen Rant - *Nocturne* is described as a “chilling & addictive serial killer thriller” in which Liev Schreiber races against time.
Screen Rant - The series thrives on a villain compared to Hannibal Lecter but struggles in its narrative department.
WHERE:
A.V. Club - The story shifts the novels’ setting from Stockholm to Fairhaven, Pennsylvania; Jurek is held at Riverside Psychiatric Hospital.
Collider - *Nocturne* is an Apple TV series.
Screen Rant - *Nocturne* is an Apple TV series.
WHEN:
A.V. Club - Jurek has been in solitary confinement for three years.
HOW:
A.V. Club - Production design and a score by British duo Toydrum contribute to the series’ atmosphere.
Roger Ebert - The ensemble’s Philadelphia accents and the thriller’s tension are highlighted in the review.
(UPDATED October 27, 2026 19:03 UTC)
Apple TV’s *Nocturne* is a crime thriller starring Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz, and Stephen Graham, who plays calculating murderer Jurek Walter, held in solitary confinement at a Pennsylvania psychiatric hospital. After alleged victim Michael Frost returns home, retired detective Jonah Lynn and FBI agent Saga Bauer investigate, with Saga going undercover to question Jurek about Frost’s missing 17-year-old sister. Adapted by Rowan Joffe from novels by Lars Kepler, the series draws praise for its cast, atmosphere, and plotting, though some reviews say its narrative could be stronger.
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(UPDATED October 27, 2026 15:06 UTC)
Apple TV’s *Nocturne*, starring Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz and Stephen Graham, is a crime thriller built around a race against time and a villain likened to Hannibal Lecter. Its strong ensemble, convincing Philadelphia accents, high production values and tense plotting help it rise above its influences. The series is gripping, though its narrative has flaws and the thriller could have been even better.
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(UPDATED October 27, 2026 14:12 UTC)
Apple TV’s *Nocturne*, starring Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz, and Stephen Graham, follows Schreiber racing against time in a serial-killer thriller. Its chilling, addictive story is driven by a villain compared to Hannibal Lecter. The series is a solid crime thriller, though its narrative could have been stronger.