Over the years, Netflix has released many brilliant original thriller TV shows, but Mindhunter remains one of the best. Considered a masterpiece by almost everyone who watches it, it’s no surprise that Mindhunter made waves despite its short two-season run. However, this makes it even more disappointing that we won’t see Mindhunter return to our screens anytime soon.
Netflix’s Mindhunter is a perfect crime show, and there’s a lot to recommend about the series for audiences who love getting caught up in a mysterious web and digging into the minds of criminals. Loosely based on the creation of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, Mindhunter‘s connection to actual serial killers and their notorious crimes immediately draws the viewer in.
Starring Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, and Anna Torv as the central team spearheading the interviewing of killers and discovery of what makes them tick, Mindhunter is as much about these characters’ psyches as it is about the killers’. While we’ve seen many takes on this type of story unfold on television, Mindhunter was unlike anything audiences had seen before.
Mindhunter’s Cancellation Would Be Disappointing Even If It Were Merely Good
It’s no secret that Netflix has gotten into the bad habit of canceling shows before their time. There have been many iconic TV series that the streamer has axed after just one season. While it makes sense that a show with a very small audience might not get the chance to craft a second season, most projects deserve the opportunity to find their footing.
Just one season, or even two, isn’t enough time for a show to discover its voice. Even if Mindhunter hadn’t been as gripping from the beginning, the series has a strong premise and vivid characters, which should warrant investing time and resources into the show, especially since the crime-thriller genre is so accessible and has proven success on streaming and network TV.
There are series far worse and less cohesive than Mindhunter that have been renewed for multiple seasons. In many ways, Mindhunter was the best detective show on Netflix, and this cements the fact that ending this series before its time was a mistake. Mindhunter has a lot in common with the iconic prestige shows of the era of peak TV.
Mindhunter Being A Masterpiece Makes Netflix’s Decision Even Worse
The fact is, Mindhunter wasn’t just an easy watch or bingeable show; it was easily one of Netflix’s best original projects to date. Mindhunter‘s cancellation is an even harsher reality of the series’ legacy, as the groundwork was laid for the series to run for years to come. It’s no wonder that audiences and critics have questioned why it came to an end so quickly.
Unfortunately, quality and strong critical reception aren’t the only factors that are taken into consideration when it comes to a show’s renewal. Mindhunter might be a fantastic creative work and push boundaries within its genre, but it wasn’t the easiest series to produce. However, it was because of these more complex and expensive aspects that the series was so good.
It makes sense that any streaming service would be hesitant to invest the amount of money required to make a show like Mindhunter. Between the top-notch creative team, which included David Fincher, the cast, and the many shooting locations, there were a lot of moving parts that came together to make Mindhunter. Despite this, it’s unbelievable that Netflix let a show of this caliber slip through its fingers.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Mindhunter (2017–2019) |
97% |
95% |
Of All Netflix’s Canceled Originals, Mindhunter Deserved To Continue The Most
Of the many Netflix shows that were canceled too soon, Mindhunter is the clear candidate for continuation. Since the series is rooted in reality and draws upon real historical figures and cases, there’s no shortage of additional storylines and settings for the show to explore. Mindhunter season 2 deftly expanded the narrative and proved that the series had serious potential for longevity.
Few audiences or critics would argue against bringing back Mindhunter. David Fincher has discussed why Netflix canceled Mindhunter, and much of it came down to the budget versus the mass appeal of the TV show. While there are many series that revolve around behavioral science in criminal investigations, most of them fall into the procedural genre.
However, despite the fact that Mindhunter broke away from this formula and focused on overarching, serialized, and character-driven narratives, it still cultivated a dedicated following. As the years have passed, the interest in Mindhunter getting renewed for its long-awaited third season hasn’t diminished, and Netflix should be aware of what viewers want.
