Netflix’s 1899 Review: An engaging, visually stunning sci-fi mystery series about a group of European migrants

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Netflix now offers the new mystery-horror series, 1899 from the creators of the popular German series, Dark. The latest series from the duo, 1899, expands on the escape-room opening with an even more complex puzzle, a pale heroine (Emily Beecham) awakening in a cabin of the Kerberos, a steamer transporting immigrants to the New World.

The woman’s injured wrists, the postcard on her dresser, and the newspaper article about a missing ship with a similarly ominous name will already have armchair investigators on the case. The medium-to-long list of spoilers that Netflix’s PR staff wanted us to stay away from has left critics searching in vain. For the passengers of the Kerberos, things were already difficult because it was found that they everyone had secrets, which were exposed through flashbacks in lost-style drama. Give or take the issue of character names, it’s done quite efficiently, and it quickly becomes simple to distinguish individuals who make up the ensemble.

Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar, the series’ creators, have structured “1899” in a way that emphasises the series’ emphasis on the experience over the details. “1899” trades almost entirely in lofty ideas, just like their previous show “Dark.” A possibility rather than a name on a list, each person on board the Kerberos exists. Each new episode of the show flips a new card, revealing what specific type of conflict is waiting on the other side. This element of the show’s appeal is one of its main draws. Anyone watching 1899 quickly realises that all of these riders are running away from something because it takes them so little time to do so.

1899 has received a mixed bag of first reviews on Netflix. While the approach and premise have received appreciation from the audience, the languid pacing has drawn criticism. The 1899 world created by the writers is warm and exciting, according to viewers, but the slow pacing detracts from their enjoyment. However, 1899 succeeds in establishing a tense and lonely atmosphere, particularly when set near the vast ocean.

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