Fatherhood, creativity, desire, corruption, darkness and light.

Set in New York City before mobile phones and the 'sanitation' of Lower East side and 42nd street, this series takes me back to NYC as I remember it from my student years.

Netflix calls it "emotional crime drama" but it is difficult to put a simple label or category on this six episode series. It's about what we hide, that which destroys us from within. About living true authentic lives, or risk loosing that which is most important for us - the things we love.

It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the father, going for broke fighting monsters and searching for his son Edgar. Gaby Hoffmann is the mother, and McKinley Belcher III the deeply complex detective Michael Ledroit.

And the music! Screenrant has a list of music in the episodes: I’m Not In Love, These Foolish Things, I’m So Hot For You, A Forest, Gloria, Meet Me In The Morning, Tupelo, Heroin ....

The storyline weaves together an eclectic mix of elements: a children's TV show, eerie puppets, the gritty world of Vice and Missing Persons police departments, mysterious underground dwellings, a vibrant nightclub scene, and the often-overlooked realm of Sanitation services.

These seemingly disparate components intertwine seamlessly, crafting a raw, brutal, and profoundly human tale that explores the depths of love and the nature of monsters.

Monsters real and imagined are confronted in an ambitious undertaking that successfully balances true-crime realism with child-like awe and wonder. Review by Empire

SPOILER ALERT

Underlying themes and values embedded in this film:

• The protagonist's journey underscores a common trope: the solitary man, solely accountable for his circumstances. In contrast, the female character's decision to leave her partner seems almost inevitable, as she's drawn to a seemingly flawless alternative – a compassionate man dedicated to helping the less fortunate.
• The narrative paints a stark picture of wealth, portraying it as a source of misery and suffering. Our main character's complex personality is rooted in his upbringing, shaped by emotionally distant parents.
• The film's depiction of masculinity creates a restrictive environment, notably excluding homosexuals and people of color. Male bonding and hierarchies are primarily portrayed as mechanisms for concealing wrongdoings, rather than fostering genuine connections or positive growth.

Make it real.