A gripping Swedish crime drama has captivated British audiences, rapidly climbing the charts to become one of the most-watched shows on Netflix in the UK. 'Land of Sin', a five-part Nordic noir series, was released on the streaming platform last week and has already secured a spot in the UK's Top 10.
A Dark Investigation in Rural Sweden
Created, written, and directed by Peter Grönlund—the mind behind films like 'Drifters' and the HBO series 'Beartown'—the show stars Krista Kosonen and Mohammed Nour Oklah as detectives Dani and Malik. The pair, based in Malmö, are called to investigate the murder of a local teenager named Silas in the rural Bjäre Peninsula of southern Sweden.
The synopsis sets a tense scene: the investigation pulls the detectives into a patriarchal underworld in the Scanian countryside. They quickly find themselves at the heart of a dark, multi-generational family feud. Dani, who has a personal connection to the victim, becomes deeply entangled. The family patriarch, Elis (played by Peter Gantman), gives Dani a deadline to solve the case before he takes justice into his own hands.
Creator's Vision: Beyond the Crime Formula
Speaking to Netflix before the premiere, Grönlund emphasised that this is 'not your average crime show'. He described the series' world as a place where 'shame, love and violence share the same pulse'. The director stated that the team pushed beyond standard genre formulas to portray people living on the edge, exploring their fears, loyalties, and raw survival instincts in a cinematic journey.
Critical and Audience Acclaim
The series has garnered positive reactions from critics and viewers alike. Review site Decider called it a 'solid Scandi noir thriller', noting that any minor plot issues don't detract from the compelling journey with Dani and Malik.
Heaven of Horror suggested the show is perfect for fans of Netflix's darker dramas like 'Ozark' or 'Bloodline' who are 'ready for everything to get even darker'. Meanwhile, EscribiendoCine praised its narrative coherence and focus on social relationships over pure mystery.
On IMDb, user reviews have been glowing. One viewer, metcalfere, described it as 'one of the absolutely the BEST dark crime thrillers I’ve ever seen', praising its intensity and moody perfection. They binge-watched all five episodes in one night, comparing its grim atmosphere to 'Ozark but even darker'. Another user, Guanche48J, labelled it a 'must-watch' for Nordic noir fans, highlighting the dark, grim setting and unpredictable story.
Your Next Nordic Noir Binge
For viewers who finish 'Land of Sin' and crave more Scandinavian suspense, Netflix offers a rich library of other Nordic noir series. Recommended titles include:
- The Glass Dome
- The Åre Murders
- Deadwind
- The Chestnut Man
- The Breakthrough
With its potent mix of psychological depth, familial secrets, and brooding Scandinavian landscapes, 'Land of Sin' has proven itself as the latest obsession for UK crime drama enthusiasts. All five episodes are available to stream now on Netflix.
