Netflix's Newest Mystery Series With Only 5 Episodes Has Everyone Rate It 10/10

Summary

• There's a new mystery drama on Netflix.
• It's a Norwegian family story full of crazy twists and heartwarming revelations.
• The new series has made its way into Netflix's Global Top 10.

Midsummer, a celebration of the summer solstice, is characteristic of many countries in Northern and Central Europe, although examples of it can be found far beyond. Its roots go back to ancient and even prehistoric times, and thanks to its pagan origins, the festival is closely linked to the mysticism that permeates it. So it's not surprising that all sorts of crazy things happen on this day — Ari Aster's Midsommar is a perfect example.

Recently, a new Norwegian miniseries was released on Netflix, where the action takes place during the Midsummer celebration. The occasion also becomes an artistic backdrop against which, no less than in Midsommar, themes of love and its fading, trust and betrayal, the complexity of human character and the ability to forgive unfold, all set against colorful Scandinavian folk motifs. But unlike Aster's horror flick, this is first and foremost a family mystery drama about finding harmony with your loved ones, despite no shortage of plot twists and startling revelations.

The show made it into Netflix's Global Top 10, so let's find out what this new series is all about.

What Is This New Series?

We're talking about the Norwegian-produced series Midsummer Night. The new series is only five episodes long and could prove to be a great binge-watching option given its optimistic and uplifting nature: while some of the plot twists may seem downright crazy, it's ultimately a warm love story whose narrative ends on a positive note — something we really need in such challenging times.

The story begins with a Norwegian couple, Johannes (Dennis Storhøi) and Carina (Pernilla August), planning a Midsummer celebration with their family at their beautiful lakeside home. They decide to have the Swedish version of the celebration, as it seems to be more fun than the Norwegian one.

Together with their youngest daughter Helena (Sofia Tjelta), Johannes and Carina welcome the family members into the house one by one: first Johannes' daughter Petronella (Maria Agwumaro), then Carina and Johannes' older daughter Hanne (Amalia Holm) with her fiancé Darius (Peiman Azizpour), who also brings his parents Jannike (Linn Skåber) and Tabur (Kadir Talabani) and his brother Robert (Eirik Hallert), who once dated Helena. Last to arrive is Carina's brother Håkan (Christopher Wollter) with the much younger Sara (Fanny Klefelt).

We learn that Johannes and Carina intend to reveal a secret to their relatives that will be shocking. However, the screenwriters keep the tension high, periodically diverting us to flashbacks where we gradually get to know what secret the couple is hiding: at least we know that Carina and Johannes are estranged and that she wants a divorce.

Impressive Ratings on Netflix

The reviews of the new Norwegian series are mostly warm, which is only confirmed by the high ratings on Netflix. Even though the series was released only a few days ago, on April 11, 2024, the very next day, according to What's on Netflix, it made its way to number eleven in the Global Top 25 and appeared in many regional Top 10s as well.

As of Sunday, April 14, it has reached an impressive second place in the Global Top, surpassing recently released and highly successful thriller series such as France's Anthracite and Germany's Crooks, but losing out to Korean sci-fi horror series Parasyte: The Grey. Midsummer Night also made the Top 3 in many countries.