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Black Bird (2022)

2022 · Biography,Crime,Drama · dramatized-true-crime, crime-psychological-profiler

Black Bird poster

Black Bird is a lean, six-episode Apple TV+ prestige limited series based on the true story of Jimmy Keene, a drug dealer offered early release in exchange for going undercover in a maximum-security psychiatric facility to extract a confession from suspected serial killer Larry Hall. The show is almost entirely driven by the psychological chess match between Keene and Hall across a series of increasingly tense prison conversations. Paul Walter Hauser's Golden Globe-winning performance dominates — reviewers compare it to the finest crime-drama acting of the prestige TV era. The tone is dark, claustrophobic, and intellectually demanding, rewarding viewers who enjoy ambiguity over resolution. Comparisons to True Detective Season 1 and Mindhunter are frequent and feel earned.

From the reviewers

Paul Walter Hauser's portrayal of Larry is absolutely stunning. His mannerisms, voice and dialogue are truly amazing. I don't think I have seen many actors emitting so much evil in a performance.
The conversations between Larry and Jimmy in the show are really fascinating and honestly you can try but you won't be able to take your eyes off. How every conversation brings you one step closer to figuring out the puzzle of Larry Hall is a binge worthy experience.
Not since True Detective's first season has a crime drama been so compelling, so intriguing and gripping!
He manages to force you to develop some sympathy for him, despite his heinous crimes. I've only seen Taron Egerton in the Kingsmen franchise, but his performance is far superior in Black Bird.
It's based off a true story of a prisoner in a minimum security prison who gets a deal to get out early if he goes to maximum security prison for the criminally insane and gets suspected serial killer to confess to him. But the problem is he might not actually be a serial killer and falsely confessed to the murders for attention or he really is a serial killer. It's an edge of your seat thriller which is made even more thrilling because it's based off a true story.

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