Gabriel S
I don't remember exactly how I bumped into Department Q, tucked into a list of recommendations for police investigation movies, on a fateful Sunday where I was looking for what to watch with my wife. The cover art caught my attention, the peculiar name a trigger for me to read the synopsis.
Department Q: The Keeper of Lost Causes is a Danish police procedural and drama crime investigation film. With a simple but effective plot, Department Q delivers a satisfying experience; its IMDb rating in 2024, a testament to its quality.
The story follows investigator Carl Mørck, disgraced after an unsuccessful Police crash that resulted in the death of one partner and the crippling of another, Carl himself carrying the aftermath of a gunshot wound to the head. Depressed and discredited, his boss assigns him to the newest Department Q of cold cases, for cops, a death sentence. There, he meets his new assistant Assad and stumbles upon a 5-year-old case of a missing woman that catches his eyes.
When it comes to innovation, the story is usual, a common formula in films about archived case investigators. Its strength lies in the performance of Nikolaj Lie Kaas and Fares Fares, in the characters Carl and Assad and their companionship, and purely in the genre itself.
Nikolaj Lie Kaas and Fares Fares deliver convincing and professional performances, the former from a disillusioned police officer, the latter from a police officer with a hidden past, but who, despite the odds, tries to find the color of life in people. I can't say it's an Oscar-worthy performance, after all, what is the Oscar if not Politics, but at no time did I feel the breaking of the fourth wall with that feeling that they are actors in a scripted film, which, in itself, is a great milestone.
The duo Carl and Assad works very well, one score for the screenwriters. As I mentioned above, the two struggle with ghosts from the past in different ways: one consumes himself, the other finds strength. This dynamic delivers a satisfying sequence of dialogues, where one gets to know the other little by little, increasing their connection.
The antagonist is an element in the story that works, plausible and compelling. His motives are clear, even if his methods are peculiar.
And the genre alone holds the audience. If you like crime dramas with investigation and lots of shades of gray from beautiful Scandinavia, this movie is a good choice.
However, 8 out of 10 implies some detractors. Unfortunately, I can't go into detail here without spoiling the movie, but I'll be brief.
Detractors, such as the extent of the psychological and physical damage to the missing woman, which seem superficial, and the methods of the antagonist, which are peculiar to say the least.
If you want a serious and well-constructed movie, Department Q is a good recommendation. Remember that this film is the first in a franchise, so don't be surprised that some narrative arcs develop little; this is because other films in the franchise will develop it.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
12/03/24
Full Review
Liam D
Another disturbing entry into Nordic Noir. This is a beginning of a franchise that I want to see more off because that’s how much this thriller gripped me
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
06/12/24
Full Review
Audience Member
Lost Causes are cold cases this detective is supposed to wrap up and close out...but the first one he looks at shows promise. The back story and the pace really work at building suspense.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/12/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Not perfect, but a decent story, good performances and pacing...
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/08/23
Full Review
Audience Member
True to the books by Jussi Adler-Olsen.
Sparse Nordic production. Well done.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/19/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Very good, tight ans suspenseful mystery, Worth a watch,
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/20/23
Full Review
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