Netflix may have one of its most addictive Nordic crime thrillers hiding in plain sight — and viewers are calling The Chestnut Man one of the best they’ve watched. The Danish mystery follows two detectives investigating brutal murders in Copenhagen, where eerie chestnut figures are left at every crime scene. With a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and praise for its twists, atmosphere and performances, the series has become a must-watch for fans of The Killing and The Bridge. Dark, unsettling and seriously binge-worthy — this is one mystery you may not want to miss.

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‘Binge-worthy’ crime drama with a perfect rating is ‘best series ever made by Netflix’

The Danish mystery thriller has become a must-watch for fans of dark, atmospheric crime stories.

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Crime drama fans looking for their next obsession may want to add The Chestnut Man to their list. The Danish thriller has earned strong praise for its chilling mystery, unsettling atmosphere and carefully constructed twists, with viewers describing it as one of Netflix’s best crime series.

Based on Søren Sveistrup’s bestselling 2018 novel, The Chestnut Man follows Copenhagen investigators Detective Naia Thulin, played by Danica Curcic, and Mark Hess, portrayed by Mikkel Boe Følsgaard. Together, they are drawn into a disturbing murder investigation after a small chestnut figure is discovered at each crime scene.

The grisly killings soon appear to be connected to the disappearance and presumed murder of a politician’s child the previous year, setting the detectives on a hunt for a killer whose identity remains hidden behind a series of unsettling clues.

A dark Scandinavian mystery

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Directed by Kasper Barfoed and Mikkel Serup, The Chestnut Man comes from Sveistrup, who is also known for creating the acclaimed Danish crime drama The Killing.

The first season premiered on Netflix in 2021, introducing audiences to its bleak Copenhagen setting and increasingly complex investigation. The second season followed in May 2026, bringing the story back to the streaming service.

The series has been particularly praised for its atmosphere and performances. Curcic and Følsgaard have been singled out for their work as the central detective duo, while the adaptation has also received recognition for successfully translating Sveistrup’s bestselling novel to the screen.

Viewers call it impossible to stop watching

Audience reactions have been equally enthusiastic, with several viewers praising the show’s suspense, storytelling and ability to keep the killer’s identity concealed.

One viewer who had finished the second season called it one of Netflix’s best dark mystery and suspense series, rating it 9/10 and saying it was even better than the first season.

Another urged viewers to ignore negative reviews, praising the plot twists and adding that although the story takes some time to build, the wait is worthwhile.

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The show’s mystery has also impressed viewers who appreciate a well-crafted whodunnit. One review praised the way The Chestnut Man avoids relying on cheap plot devices to hide the killer, instead keeping the audience uncertain until the final stages of the story.

The performances were another highlight, with Mikkel Boe Følsgaard and Naia Thulin praised as an effective detective partnership. David Dencik was also noted for his role as forensic doctor Simon Genz, while Iben Dorner brought an emotional dimension to the story as a grieving mother and public official.

A strong choice for Nordic Noir fans

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For fans of Scandinavian crime dramas, the series has been compared favourably with productions such as The Bridge and The Killing.

One viewer described it as a standout example of Nordic Noir, praising its bleak visuals, suspenseful mystery and consistently strong cinematography. The series may not reinvent the genre, but its combination of disturbing crimes, layered characters and a steadily unfolding mystery has helped it stand out with audiences.

With two seasons now available, The Chestnut Man offers a compelling binge-watch for anyone drawn to dark investigations, unsettling crime scenes and mysteries that keep their secrets hidden until the end.