The opening shot of Detective Forst is a stark, snow-covered slope in the Tatra Mountains, a lone figure picking his way up through the white expanse. It’s an arresting image, one that promises isolation and tension—qualities this Polish crime drama delivers unevenly but with moments of undeniable power.

At its core, Detective Forst is a procedural wrapped in the trappings of psychological thriller. Borys Szyc plays Wiktor Forst, a suspended detective whose maverick methods get him fired but also draw the attention of journalist Olga Szrebska (Zuzanna Saporznikow). Together, they investigate a series of brutal murders in the resort town of Zakopane, uncovering layers of conspiracy along the way. The premise is solid—Forst’s cynicism and Olga’s relentless curiosity create an interesting dynamic—but the execution stumbles under the weight of convoluted plotting.

What works best are the scenes between Szyc and Saporznikow. Their chemistry grounds the series in something resembling emotional truth, especially when Forst’s personal demons (childhood trauma, a complicated past with a childhood friend-turned-foe) bubble to the surface. Szyc, in particular, excels at portraying Forst’s exhaustion and quiet rage, making him a compelling antihero even when the story around him falters.

Visually, Detective Forst leans into its mountainous setting, using the Tatra Mountains as both a metaphorical and literal backdrop for the violence unfolding. The cinematography is often striking—long tracking shots through snow-laden streets, claustrophobic interiors that amplify tension—but these moments are undercut by pacing issues. The series feels bloated, with too many subplots (military conspiracies, WWII flashbacks) vying for attention without enough payoff.

The biggest misstep is the storytelling itself. Detective Forst tries to be as convoluted as possible, stacking twist upon twist in a way that feels deliberate rather than organic. The result is a narrative that loses coherence midway through, leaving viewers scrambling to piece together motivations and connections that should have been clearer. Even the ending—meant to tie everything into a neat bow—feels rushed and unsatisfying.

That said, there’s enough here to recommend Detective Forst to fans of gritty crime dramas who don’t mind some rough edges. The performances are strong, particularly Szyc’s, and the atmosphere is undeniably moody.