Arne Dahl: Misterioso (2011)

Directed by: Harald Hamrell | 180 minutes | crime | Actors: Malin Arvidsson, Irene Lindh, Claes Ljungmark, Shanti Roney, Magnus Samuelsson, Matias Varela, Niklas Åkerfelt, Mats Blomgren, Frida Hallgren, Claes Hartelius, Staffan Kihlbom, Ebba Ribbing, César Sarachu, Oskar Thunberg, Börisse Anders, Anders Beckman, Nikolai Bentsler, Sofia Berg-Böhm, Andreas Björklund, Suzanna Dilber, Magnus Ehrner, Cleas Elfsberg, Pontus Gustafsson, Maya Hansson-Bergqvist, Per Holmberg, Karl Linnertorp, Mait Malmsten, Lena Mossegård, Rein Oja, Richard Kristjan Sseruwagi, Wladimir Tschernich, Jan Waldekranz, Anna von Rosen, Sten Zupping, Lars Dejert, Jan-Erik Emretsson, Dick Eriksson, John Axel Eriksson, Kim Jansson, Mathias Lithner, Juan Rodríguez, Anna Rothlin, Hanna Schön, Angela Wann Halbäck, Piann Halbäck , Richard Turpin

‘Misterioso’, based on the book by Swedish author Arne Dahl (pseudonym for Jan Arnald) and published in the Lumière Crime Series, begins with a botched robbery of a Sydbanken. One of the bank robbers was killed with a dart. At first sight an isolated fact, but nothing turns out to be less true. After two top figures from the Swedish financial world are murdered in quick succession, Jenny Hultin (Irene Lindh) calls together a special investigative team, the so-called A-team. Six people, each with their own specialism.

Computer expert and excited scold Jorge Chavez (Matias Varela), the trusty Paul Hjelm (Shanti Roney), the free thinker Arto Söderstadt (Niklas Äkerfeldt), the outstanding interrogator Kerstin Holm (Malin Arvidsson), the ancient warrior Viggo Norlander (Claes Ljungmark) and the ‘muscle man’ Gunnar Nyberg (Magnus Samuelson). Every member of the team is immediately put to work and various leads are investigated. Soon traces lead to corporate boards, the Russian mafia and a golf club.

But also, and this explains the title, an illegal copy of the CD ‘Misterioso’ by jazz legend Thelonious Monk turns up. The six detectives all try to force a breakthrough in their own way. For example, the somewhat dorky Norlander travels to Tallinn to investigate. Childishly simple, he walks into a trap set by the Russian mafia.

‘Misterioso’ brings together nice characters, but the character Paul Hjelm predominates. Under the pressure of a suspension and a bad marriage, we see how he tries to get his life back in order. The mutual bullying between the team members also makes ‘Misterioso’ a pleasant viewing experience. Bring together a hothead, a good guy, a pretty lady, a schmuck and a snobbish know-it-all and what happens? Provoking and bullying results in perfect teamwork. Each contributes a part to the ultimate solution of the murder mystery.

Because then we are already five murders away and the team tries to prevent the last murder in a row. ‘Misterioso’ is especially a must-see for fans of the Scandinavian crime genre. Fans of series such as ‘The Bridge’, ‘Wallander’, ‘Varg Veum’ and ‘The Killing’ will love this book adaptation. Rock-solid observations, pure tension and dry humor. Supercooled, without unnecessary frills. No superheroes, but people of flesh and blood. Right in the eye. An absolute must!