Is Netflix's The Glass Dome Worth Your Time? My Honest Review
Okay, so you know how sometimes a thriller promises suspense but delivers…well, not much? Netflix's new Scandi noir series, The Glass Dome, is unfortunately one of those. It starts with a gripping premise – a criminologist haunted by her childhood abduction stumbles onto a similar case – but the first episode practically gives away the entire plot. Seriously, almost every twist is telegraphed. So, did the rest of the show manage to surprise me? Let's find out.
A Familiar, Yet Moody, Setting
The show opens with young Lejla's abduction, then jumps to her life as a successful criminologist. A phone call drags her back to her Swedish hometown, Granås, for her adoptive mother's funeral. The whole thing is drenched in that classic Scandi noir atmosphere – dark, moody, and beautifully shot. But, honestly, the familiar tropes are a bit much. A friend dies, her daughter gets kidnapped, and it's instantly obvious to anyone watching that this mirrors Lejla's past trauma. It's a little on the nose, you know?
Predictability Galore (And Unconvincing Suspects)
The investigation starts, but the predictability is, frankly, disheartening. The early suspects are so obvious it felt like watching a slow-motion trainwreck. The connection between the two abductions is laid out way too early. Where's the mystery? The attempts at red herrings? Well, they fell flatter than a week-old pancake. The show relies too heavily on us *knowing* what’s coming instead of building real suspense. This made it hard to truly invest in the mystery itself; I was more focused on how formulaic it all felt.
Strong Performances Save the Day (Slightly)
Despite the plot's weaknesses, I have to give credit where it's due. Léonie Vincent delivers a powerful performance as Lejla, perfectly capturing her internal struggle with trauma. The supporting cast also does a great job creating a believable small-town feel. And the visuals? Stunning. Granås is portrayed as both beautiful and oppressive – perfectly embodying that classic Scandi noir aesthetic.
Should You Binge It? My Verdict
The Glass Dome is visually stunning and well-acted, but its predictable plot is a huge letdown. It squanders its intriguing premise by giving away all its secrets far too early. Unless you're a huge Scandi noir fan willing to overlook a seriously formulaic story, you might want to skip this one. It's a shame, really, because it had so much potential.
