The Investigation review: A sombre retelling of the case about the murder of journalist Kim Wall

3.5/5

Story:
The Danish TV mini-series is told from the perspective of the head of the Copenhagen Police Department, Jens Møller (Søren Malling). It follows the investigation into the gruesome murder of Swedish journalist, Kim Wall.

Review:
The story about the ‘Murder of Kim Wall’ was something that shocked Denmark and the rest of the world. The gruesome nature of the crime and the fact that it happened in a country often lauded for its lower crime rate and higher standard of living is one of the reasons why it made the headlines across the globe. The fact that Wall herself was a renowned and respected journalist across many publications was also a major factor in why the news became a sensation. The creators of the mini-series, The Investigation, painstakingly took the effort to write a narrative that shifted the focus away from the ‘sensational’ aspect of the story, and instead focused on the laborious investigation, the sacrifices made by those involved in search of justice, and the mental strain Kim Wall’s parents were put through until the court proceedings concluded a year later.

The series is self-aware of what it is; it is not a fast-paced police procedural that grips the audience with its riveting narrative, vis-à-vis shows such as Line of Duty. Instead, it is a harrowing retelling of one of the most horrific murders in recent Danish history. The series takes its time to slowly but methodically unravel the nature of the crime, the investigation, and the search for evidence by the authorities - an endeavour that lasted for months and as akin to 'searching for a needle in the haystack’. The narrative rests entirely on the pains undertaken by the authorities to bring the perpetrator to justice.

Pilou Asbæk, who played the role of Euron Grejoy in Game of Thrones, essays a nuanced performance as the prosecutor, Jakob Buch-Jepsen. He plays a pivotal role in the conviction of Peter Madsen, the accused entrepreneur. The writers have made a very conscious attempt not to name Madsen or give screentime to the character. Madsen is merely referred to as the ‘accused’ and the details regarding his character are given through clever plot devices and well-placed exposition. The idea is to steer the narrative away from glorifying the crime and the perpetrator. It is in direct contrast to several films and TV shows released globally in recent times. The most obvious example would be the Malayalam film Kurup starring Dulquer Salamaan, where the entire film romanticises the notorious criminal Sukumara Kurup.

The cinematography and the pacing is crafted in a way that resembles a documentary. It is likely by design to evoke the audience with a sense of grounded realism. The narrative and the accompanying sound design forces the audience to feel the tragedy in the air seep through into consciousness. While there could be no arguments that the six-part mini-series is a slow burner and might put off viewers in search of fast-paced true-crime thrillers, the series deserves immense praise for how it has done the story justice. Because as the story tells the audience, Kim Wall was a bright young journalist on the cusp of greatness, after having already made a name for herself on a global scale for investigative journalism.

It is debatable whether the subplot about Jens and his family was essential to the story. But it does add perspective to how the investigation took a toll on all those involved.

Verdict:
The slow-burner is an unconventional true-crime docu-series that tells the sombre tale of Kim Wall and the circumstances surrounding her gruesome murder.