It seems Netflix is not leaving its viewers in the dark after the finale of "Stranger Things" season 2, as their newest science-fiction thriller "Dark" has gained much traction.
The German-language series about a time-traveling mystery premiered late last week on the streaming service and has so far gotten favorable reviews. "Dark" could also pave the way for more imported and foreign-language series in Netflix since the success of the series may contribute to the popularity of the niche. Should it pick up, Netflix may yet again set the trend in the streaming service market.
"Dark" being compared to "Stranger Things" is no strange thing indeed, as both share a similar premise, being set in a small town with a large but tightly knit cast. The plot also involves a group of teenagers along with some adults getting implicated in a problematic and mysterious nearby power plant operation, similar to Hawkins Lab in "Stranger Things." Last but not the least, the said power plant was also instrumental in the disappearance of two children in the small town.
While it bears striking resemblances to "Stranger Things," "Dark" may not be as light-hearted as the American series. Critics, while generally praising the show, have stated that at times, the German show becomes too heavy to digest. Being a time-travel tale, of course, this is to be expected, as some plot points and interlayered twists may contribute to the show's convoluted premise.
"Dark," while being able to sate some viewers' hunger for "Stranger Things," is somehow more akin to Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi style or David Lynch's crime drama, "Twin Peaks." This means that it does not share the same "feel-good" vibes and twists of "Stranger Things" as well as its penchant for nostalgia. "Dark" is also set in two time periods from 1986 to 2019, with time travel being the key, as well as the source of the mystery.
"Dark" is now available on Netflix.
