'Nocturne' Review: Apple TV's Latest Crime Thriller Is Worth Investigating
By Elliot Lines - October 30, 2026
TV - Premium TV
When it comes to crime thrillers, becoming the detective yourself as the story unfolds is a major part of the viewing experience. Zodiac, Mindhunter and True Detective immediately come to mind when thinking of those that truly capture this feeling. Nocturne may not quite reach the heights of those mentioned, but it takes you on a journey where you're desperate to uncover the truth, keeping you gripped from episode to episode. It's something that all good crime thrillers should strive to achieve.
What is Nocturne about?
Based on the bestselling novels The Sandman and Lazarus by Lars Kepler, Apple TV's Nocturne follows former homicide detective Jonah Lynn (Liev Schreiber), whose hopes of a quieter life in Pennsylvania are shattered when a victim of notorious serial killer Jurek Walter (Stephen Graham) unexpectedly resurfaces after years in captivity. With another victim still missing, Jonah is drawn back into a disturbing investigation that forces him to confront the killer who has haunted his past. As the search intensifies, FBI agent Saga Bauer (Zazie Beetz) goes undercover to get close to Walter, setting the stage for a dangerous psychological game where the stakes become increasingly personal.
Apple TV's newest series isn't afraid to throw a lot of information at you early on. You're expected to quickly pick up on the hardship that the small town of Fairhaven has endured over the years at the hands of notorious serial killer Jurek Walter. When a victim, long thought to be dead, suddenly resurfaces after years in captivity, the investigation takes a new turn. With his sister potentially still out there, it's a race against time to find her before it's too late. There's just one problem: Walter is locked away in the high-security wing of a psychiatric hospital, so how could he possibly be responsible?
This is where the more enjoyable elements of the series come into play. Following the trail alongside former detective Jonah Lynn, the other officers and FBI agents constantly leaves you questioning what is really going on. Nothing quite adds up, your own theories are continually tested, and the revelations along the way become one of the series' greatest strengths. While Nocturne may move at a slightly slower pace, that doesn't mean you can afford to casually scroll through your phone while watching. It's a series that demands your attention, with seemingly small details playing their part in the bigger picture as you attempt to piece together exactly where the story is heading.
There are certainly moments throughout Nocturne that aren't entirely believable. Some of the characters' actions and decisions can be questioned, particularly in the way they behave, interact with one another and even follow certain leads throughout the investigation. However, for the sake of the story, these moments can largely be brushed aside as narrative devices designed to move the plot forward. While they may occasionally stretch believability, they never quite detract from the bigger picture or the intrigue surrounding the central mystery.
Liev Schreiber delivers a suitably serious performance throughout, portraying a character with a clearly troubled past but an unwavering determination not to give up. Zazie Beetz takes on the role of an undercover officer, and her scenes as she gets increasingly close to Jurek Walter can be genuinely terrifying. However, the standout is undoubtedly Stephen Graham, an actor who, while already well established in the UK, feels like he is currently reaching new heights on a global scale. All of his time, up til now, as Jurek Walter is spent within the confines of a cell, but that doesn't make his presence any less intimidating. Every encounter carries an underlying sense of menace, with Graham able to create an unsettling atmosphere through the smallest of expressions and interactions. The events of episode seven particularly showcase just how terrifying his character can be.
Having only seen the first seven episodes of the ten-episode series, I'm desperate to find out how it all unfolds, and that's ultimately what makes Nocturne a success for me. When a series leaves you wanting more, that can only be a good sign. The mystery surrounding Stephen Graham's Jurek Walter is gradually coming to light, with the investigation beginning to piece together the bigger picture. Nocturne may not be perfect, with some questionable character decisions and a slightly slower pace at times, but there's plenty to admire in Apple TV's latest crime thriller. Most importantly, it keeps you guessing, and that's exactly what a series of this nature should be doing.
The first two episodes of 'Nocturne' premiered on Apple TV on October 30, with subsequent episodes releasing weekly.
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Elliot Lines
Founder - Lead Editor
Elliot loves to surround himself with all things movies. Whether that be his movie related LEGO collection or enough Blu-rays to restart blockbuster.
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