Mr. Mercedes

Any story that involves a 'psychopathic killer' isn't going to be pleasant!

Well...they pushed the boat out with this one. This just simmers with unpleasantness. Nothing is served up straightaway...each episode peels off the layers that are the fabric of psychopathy and obsession.

It really does paint the gloomiest picture of contemporary America...from the angry ex-Cop, to the sex-starved neighbour, to the sanctimonious store-manager, to that mother, to the killer himself...it would be impossible to mitigate his acts of violence...but, in these circumstances, mitigation would keep him from the gas chamber!

This is one screwed-up young man...who functions. Hell, bar a few, everyone in Mr Mercedes is screwed-up...but, they function. There are no lives here...these are just existencies. The one true character with a bright future becomes a cat-and-mouse target...his survival depends on luck rather than intervention.

Sex seems to be a central theme...just about everyone has an issue...getting it, not getting it, getting the wrong kind of it...but, no matter what kind of sex it is, what it does do is appease, temporarily...a respite from their grim realities.

Harry Treadaway does a masterful job...combining the character's vulnerability with a chilling detachment. Brendan Gleeson does angry and irritable as good as any...

Mr Mercedes is a slow-burner, it really does try to get under the skin of the main characters...and that takes quite some time. Patience will lead to unpleasantries by the score. It really is dark...interesting to see where Season 2 will go!

Trailer...