This Gritty Serial Killer Thriller Just Hit Netflix’s Top 10—and I Can Tell Why Viewers Are Obsessed

And it's action-packed

Published Apr 1, 2026

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6:01pm

Courtesy of Netflix

If I had to make a safe bet on what’s living in Netflix’s coveted Top 10 at any given moment, I’d say it’s usually a mix of true crime, psychological thrillers, and at least one WWE title. And honestly? A quick look at the current lineup proves that assumption pretty accurate.

Right now, the charts are packed with a few familiar genre suspects: the horror-suspense series Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, true crime entries like The Predator of Seville and Homicide: New York, WWE content holding its usual ground. But the one show that really caught my eye (and proves my point) is the gritty psychological thriller that’s been quietly climbing the ranks—Jo Nesbø's Detective Hole.

Detective Hole n S1 E2 00 06 12 13 Ronald Plante Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

Based on Jo Nesbø’s novel of the same name (specifically the fifth installment, The Devil’s Star), Detective Hole is a nine-episode Norwegian Nordic noir series. The story follows Harry Hole, a brilliant but deeply troubled homicide detective who finds himself chasing a brutal serial killer leaving behind red diamond calling cards, while also locked in a tense personal battle with a corrupt colleague, Tom Waaler.

Since dropping on Netflix on March 26, the series has quickly made its way into the Top 10, currently sitting at No. 5, which, in Netflix terms, basically means people are not just watching, but bingeing. It also carries an impressive 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting critics are just as on board as viewers.

Over on Reddit, reactions have been just as enthusiastic.

One user shared, “I binged in one night. Loved it and the soundtrack was amazing!” Another wrote, “Never read the books just finished the first season. The end was so chilling loved it,” while a third added, “So good. Takes a different approach from the usual Hollywood style of tension building.”

All nine episodes of Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole are streaming now on Netflix.

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Danielle Long

Assistant Editor, News and Entertainment

Writes breaking news and entertainment content
Covers award show red carpets and movie premieres
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