The Truth Will Out ~ A Non-Spoiler Review

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🇸🇪 THE TRUTH WILL OUT 🇸🇪

The Truth Will Out (2018) is a Swedish crime drama available on All4 Walter Presents U.K.; Acorn, Hoopla, AppleTV US & Can; Binge, Foxtel Aus. 8 x 42-44 min episodes. In Swedish with subtitles.

Premise:

“After a long sick leave and recovery, police detective Peter Wendel is back on duty. He is commissioned to form a new team to reopen unresolved murder cases, however, he soon finds himself with a rather third rank and conflicting staff. Soon they are in the centre of a new case. An unknown murderer claims that Sweden’s most infamous murderer is a fraud – that he never committed the murders he’s jailed for. High reaching implications are to be exposed, involving even the Swedish government.” IMDb

Cast:

Robert Gustafsson as Peter Wendel
Louise Peterhoff as Caijsa Bergholm
Ia Langhammer as Barbro Svensson
Christopher Wagelin as Jorma Virttanen
Ingela Olsson as Ulla Ståhlnacke
Maria Sundbom Lörelius as Ann-Marie Wendel
Tyra Olin as Vera Wendel
Johan Ulveson as Björn Stenius
Erik Johansson as Marcus Johansson
Peter Carlberg as Mikael Ström
Peter Gardiner as Ante Olofsson
Thomas W. Gabrielsson as Temo Björkman
Cilla Thorell as Stella Olofsson
Ville Virtanen as Eddie Eriksson

English-language poster for The Truth Will Out

Crew:

Idea: Leif G.W. Persson
Writers/Creators: Hans Jörnlind, Aron Levander
Directors: Kjell-Åke Anderssen, Lisa Farzaneh
Cinematographers: Tomaz Blanck, Philip Ōgaard
Composer: Kaare Bjerkø

Notes:

Robert Gustafsson is possibly best known for his role as Allan Karlsson in the 100- and 101-Year-Old Man films and is renowned as a comedic actor. Louise Peterhof has been in shows such as The Bridge and Blue Eyes. Christopher Wagelin is also in Moscow Noir, Hassel, Blue Eyes, Beck and Snabba Cash and Snabba Cash ll. Ingela Olson is in Young Royals, The Restaurant and Jordskott. Maria Sundbom Lörelius played Lena in Before We Die season 2 and is also in Quicksand and The Bridge. Erik Johansson played Markus in Before We Die and can be seen in Follow the Money, Blue Eyes and Maria Wern. Ville Virtanen will be familiar from Bordertown, Rebecka Martinsson: Arctic Murders and Occupied. Thomas W. Gabrielsson has also been in shows and films such as The Last Kingdom, The Lawyer, The Bridge, Follow the Money, Fortitude, The Killing, A Royal Affair and Arn: The Knight Templar.

Swedish-language poster for The Truth Will Out

Review:

The Truth Will Out is one of those shows which is inspired by true events, a facet which, for me at least, always seems to increase the tension of the story. This was a rewatch for me and I was interested to see how much would leap out at me as I was watching.

In many respects this is classic Nordic noir: the visuals are washed out, a lot of focus is upon those investigating the case, the pacing is never going to knock the breath out of you as it burns slowly away.

Robert Gustafsson as Peter Wendel in The Truth Will Out

What I particularly loved with this show though is that it does have some humour scattered throughout which helps prevent it from being unremittingly dour. As an example the somewhat heated argument in the car while on a stakeout which clearly must have ended up with them eating biscuits or something was hilarious.

Maria Sundbom Lörelius as Ann-Marie Wendel (right)
Tyra Olin as Vera Wendel (centre) and Robert Gustafsson as Peter Wendel (left) in a scene from The Truth Will Out

There are tropes in The Truth Will Out, such as the difficult teenager daughter (although, frankly, who can blame her) but this show does manage to subvert expectations in this respect.

Johan Ulveson as Björn Stenius (centre)
Erik Johansson as Marcus Johansson (right)
Maria Sundbom Lörelius as Ann-Marie Wendel (left) in a scene from The Truth Will Out

Adding to the cold case investigation itself we see a web of intrigue and manoeuvres of those who are more desperate to maintain what is an unsafe conviction rather than upholding their duty towards justice and even public protection. The political side of the story was so cleverly and directly connected that it did not fall into the trap of looking like an afterthought. That the repercussions of a miscarriage of justice were even direr than we would normally expect really hits home the point being made.

There are great performances all round in this show with Robert Gustafsson brilliant as Peter, this damaged, volatile, grieving man who struggles with mental illness. It is however his stubbornness and disregard for his own safety that is admirable. The nuance and range that the actor shows in this role are seriously impressive. Peter’s backstory is gradually revealed in flashbacks and finally made fully clear in a very poignant moment of truth-telling with his daughter. This whole aspect is a very strong part of this show.

Ia Langhammer as Barbro Svensson (right) with Robert Gustafsson as Peter Wendel (left) in a scene from The Truth Will Out

The supporting cast and characters are excellent. Ia Langhammer as Barbro Svensson was so impressive and it is so refreshing to see an older female character who is dynamic (epic headbutt Barbro!) and grows so much over a few episodes. There is good chemistry between her and Eddie as well. Both Louise Peterhoff and Christopher Wagelin were excellent as Caijsa and Jorma with their hate-love-it’s-complicated relationship. And the dog in this is a star in his own right!

Christopher Wagelin as Jorma in a scene from The Truth Will Out

Creating the character of Caijsa (the alcoholic) and placing her with that of Jorma (the wannabe estate agent) was a genius bit of writing. It is a trope for two officers to not be very keen on each other at the start of a story but having them absolutely loathing each other because of their history together takes it to another level. The attempts that Jorma makes to try and keep the real estate plates spinning are great to watch.

Christopher Wagelin as Jorma (right) with Louise Peterhoff as Caijsa (left) in a scene from The Truth Will Out

I loved the music in this as it added so much to the creation of atmosphere but is not actually very “in your face” obtrusive. I felt this was very much in keeping with the whole feel of the show.

The cinematography in this, as to be expected from such a production, is very good. Some of the wide visuals and aerials are beautiful and there are great close-ups of characters facial expressions.

As I mentioned at the start, Scandinavian noir tends to be slow-burning with a good payoff at the end. My only reservation with The Truth Will Out – and please believe me when I say I really enjoyed this show – is that I have a nagging feeling that had it been 2 episodes shorter it could have been even more impactful.

Nevertheless, I can heartily recommend The Truth Will Out, especially to those who enjoy Nordic noir crime dramas that are intelligently written, well-produced and superbly acted. I am very much looking forward to watching season 2 when it (hopefully) makes its way to the U.K.