• Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop Rated MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
      What's on TV & StreamingWhat's on TV & StreamingTop Rated ShowsMost Popular ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
      What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb TVIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
      OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersGolden GlobesEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
      Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
      Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
    For Industry Professionals
      AllTitlesTV EpisodesCelebsCompaniesKeywords
    • Advanced Search
    Watchlist
    Sign In
    Welcome to the new version of this page.
    Learn more
    Report an issue

    True Detective

    • TV Series
    • 2014–20192014–2019
    • TV-MATV-MA
    IMDb RATING
    8.9/10
    511K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    118
    14
    Episode guide
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Mahershala Ali in True Detective (2014)
    "True Detective" returns January 13, 2019 on HBO.  The third season, starring Mahershala Ali and Stephen Dorff, sees detectives investigating a grisly crime involving two missing children in the heart of the Ozarks.
    Trailer2:02
    42 Videos
    99+ Photos
    CrimeDramaMystery

    Seasonal anthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law.Seasonal anthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law.Seasonal anthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law.Seasonal anthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law.Seasonal anthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law.

    • Creator
      • Nic Pizzolatto
    • Stars
      • Vince Vaughn
      • Colin Farrell
      • Rachel McAdams
    Top credits
    • Creator
      • Nic Pizzolatto
    • Stars
      • Vince Vaughn
      • Colin Farrell
      • Rachel McAdams
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 915User reviews
    • 165Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Episodes24

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    Top rated TV #34
    • Won 5 Primetime Emmys
      • 30 wins & 90 nominations total

    Videos42

    A Guide to the Style of Cary Joji Fukunaga
    Clip 1:41
    A Guide to the Style of Cary Joji Fukunaga
    What Roles Has Colin Farrell Been Considered For?
    Clip 3:40
    What Roles Has Colin Farrell Been Considered For?
    True Detective: BTS of The Final Country
    Clip 2:13
    True Detective: BTS of The Final Country
    True Detective: BTS Of Hunters In The Dark
    Clip 2:46
    True Detective: BTS Of Hunters In The Dark
    True Detective: Share When You Want
    Clip 3:18
    True Detective: Share When You Want
    Mahershala Ali of 'Green Book': "No Small Parts"
    Clip 3:58
    Mahershala Ali of 'Green Book': "No Small Parts"
    Official Trailer #2
    Trailer 2:02
    Official Trailer #2
    Season 3 Trailer
    Trailer 1:57
    Season 3 Trailer
    Season 3 Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:01
    Season 3 Teaser Trailer
    True Detective Season 2 | Stand
    Trailer 0:31
    True Detective Season 2 | Stand
    True Detective Season 2 | Chaos
    Trailer 0:31
    True Detective Season 2 | Chaos
    Season 2 Trailer
    Trailer 1:01
    Season 2 Trailer

    Photos1180

    Stephen Dorff, Brett Cullen, and Mahershala Ali in True Detective (2014)
    Stephen Dorff and Mahershala Ali in True Detective (2014)
    Carmen Ejogo in True Detective (2014)
    Mahershala Ali in True Detective (2014)
    Mahershala Ali in True Detective (2014)
    Rachel McAdams and Taylor Kitsch in True Detective (2014)
    True Detective (2014)
    Colin Farrell in True Detective (2014)
    Vince Vaughn in True Detective (2014)
    Colin Farrell in True Detective (2014)
    Colin Farrell and Rachel McAdams in True Detective (2014)
    Vince Vaughn in True Detective (2014)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Vince Vaughn
    Vince Vaughn
    • Frank Semyonas Frank Semyon
    8 episodes8 eps • 2015
    Colin Farrell
    Colin Farrell
    • Detective Ray Velcoroas Detective Ray Velcoro
    8 episodes8 eps • 2015
    Rachel McAdams
    Rachel McAdams
    • Detective Ani Bezzeridesas Detective Ani Bezzerides
    8 episodes8 eps • 2015
    Taylor Kitsch
    Taylor Kitsch
    • Officer Paul Woodrughas Officer Paul Woodrugh
    8 episodes8 eps • 2015
    Matthew McConaughey
    Matthew McConaughey
    • Detective Rust Cohleas Detective Rust Cohle
    8 episodes8 eps • 2014
    Mahershala Ali
    Mahershala Ali
    • Wayne Haysas Wayne Hays
    8 episodes8 eps • 2019
    Woody Harrelson
    Woody Harrelson
    • Detective Marty Hartas Detective Marty Hart
    8 episodes8 eps • 2014
    Carmen Ejogo
    Carmen Ejogo
    • Amelia Reardonas Amelia Reardon
    8 episodes8 eps • 2019
    Michelle Monaghan
    Michelle Monaghan
    • Maggie Hartas Maggie Hart
    8 episodes8 eps • 2014
    Stephen Dorff
    Stephen Dorff
    • Roland Westas Roland West…
    8 episodes8 eps • 2019
    Michael Potts
    Michael Potts
    • Detective Maynard Gilboughas Detective Maynard Gilbough
    8 episodes8 eps • 2014
    Kelly Reilly
    Kelly Reilly
    • Jordan Semyonas Jordan Semyon
    8 episodes8 eps • 2015
    Scoot McNairy
    Scoot McNairy
    • Tom Purcellas Tom Purcell
    8 episodes8 eps • 2019
    Tory Kittles
    Tory Kittles
    • Detective Thomas Papaniaas Detective Thomas Papania
    8 episodes8 eps • 2014
    Ray Fisher
    Ray Fisher
    • Henry Haysas Henry Hays
    8 episodes8 eps • 2019
    Chris Kerson
    Chris Kerson
    • Nailsas Nails
    8 episodes8 eps • 2015
    Ritchie Coster
    Ritchie Coster
    • Mayor Austin Chessanias Mayor Austin Chessani
    7 episodes7 eps • 2015
    Sarah Gadon
    Sarah Gadon
    • Elisa Montgomeryas Elisa Montgomery
    7 episodes7 eps • 2019
    • Creator
      • Nic Pizzolatto
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    "True Detective" Returns to Form With Mahershala Ali

    "True Detective" Returns to Form With Mahershala Ali

    Looking for something to watch? Check out "True Detective." Season 3 is betting on an Oscar winner and a disturbing mystery to recapture the success of its first installment.
    Watch our video
    Image caption not available
    0:53

    More like this

    Fargo
    8.9
    Fargo
    The Wire
    9.3
    The Wire
    Westworld
    8.6
    Westworld
    Chernobyl
    9.4
    Chernobyl
    Mindhunter
    8.6
    Mindhunter
    Sherlock
    9.1
    Sherlock
    House of Cards
    8.7
    House of Cards
    The Sopranos
    9.2
    The Sopranos
    Narcos
    8.8
    Narcos
    Black Mirror
    8.8
    Black Mirror
    Band of Brothers
    9.4
    Band of Brothers
    Dexter
    8.6
    Dexter

    Storyline

    Edit
    In 2012, Louisiana State Police Detectives Rust Cohle and Martin Hart are brought in to revisit a homicide case they worked in 1995. As the inquiry unfolds in present day through separate interrogations, the two former detectives narrate the story of their investigation, reopening unhealed wounds, and drawing into question their supposed solving of a bizarre ritualistic murder in 1995. The timelines braid and converge in 2012 as each man is pulled back into a world they believed they'd left behind. In learning about each other and their killer, it becomes clear that darkness lives on both sides of the law. —Rich28
    police investigationpolice detectivesouthern gothicmurderanthology27 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Man is the cruelest animal. (Season 1)
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • TV-MA
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      To prepare, Matthew McConaughey created a four hundred fifty-page analysis, the "Four Stages of Rustin Cohle", to study his character's evolution over the course of the story.
    • Goofs
      Detective Rust Cohle is seen looking at his watch as it beeps. His watch is a mechanical dive watch without any digital components, and is unable to beep.
    • Quotes

      Detective Rust Cohle: Life's barely long enough to get good at one thing. So be careful what you get good at.

    • Connections
      Featured in Chelsea Lately: Episode #8.19 (2014)
    • Soundtracks
      Far From Any Road
      By The Handsome Family

    User reviews915

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Dark, brooding cinema - outstanding, but probably not for action fans
    Right when the opening credits start and you hear that morbidly beautiful song 'Far From Any Road' by 'The Handsome Family', you know that this isn't going to be your usual cop show. Now, if you're more into action films, avoid this at all costs - but if you like amazing performances and dark, brooding cinema peppered with some black humour and a slight psychedelic touch, you're going to love this. The atmosphere and the southern ambiance of this show are so rich and the cinematography is so beautiful, I can hardly think of anything in recent TV-history that compares to this. To make a musical analogy: if the crazy, creative energy of 'Breaking Bad' felt like 'Led Zeppelin', this feels more like 'The Doors'. The slow, bluesy, hypnotic pulse of this show draws you in and hooks you - and then it doesn't let go. By the way, the original music is also excellent (T-Bone Burnett) and fits the mood perfectly.

    As far as the actors are concerned, there's nothing but great performances. Even the smaller parts are perfectly cast and the two leads: wow, just - wow! Harrelson (freshly returned from 'The Hunger Games'), plays the "normal", more down to earth character, while McConaughey (still marked by his own personal hunger games) nails the part of his slightly mad, highly intelligent but nihilistic and severely depressed partner. Watching them play off each other (again, after 'Edtv' and 'Surfer, Dude') while their conflicted - and conflicting - characters try to solve a ritual murder is so captivating (and so much fun) I honestly don't care that much if they are ever going to solve that crime.

    So for the moment, I'm giving this 10 stars (I can still take back a few if it all goes downhill from here), because in my opinion, there wasn't a single note out of key so far. The writing is top notch, and if the creative team behind this can keep it up, this could turn out to be HBO's next 'Wire' in terms of quality. Cary Fukunaga ('Sin Nombre','Jane Eyre'), who will hopefully one day adapt Stephen King's 'It', proves once more that he's a very accomplished director and a talent to look out for in the future.

    My verdict: if you like a well told, character driven story (that might lead you to some very dark places) and if you're not put off by a rather considerate pace, I can't recommend this show enough - this is some great television.

    Favorite films: IMDb.com/list/mkjOKvqlSBs/

    Lesser-Known Masterpieces: imdb.com/list/ls070242495/

    Favorite Low-Budget and B-Movies: imdb.com/list/ls054808375/

    Favorite TV-Shows reviewed: imdb.com/list/ls075552387/
    helpful•979
    116
    • gogoschka-1
    • Jan 13, 2014

    FAQ10

    • Will there be a session 4?
    • What is the name and the lyrics to the True Detective theme song?
    • Do I need to see Season One before starting Season Two?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 12, 2014 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Instagram
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Tham Tu Chan Chinh
    • Filming locations
      • Arkansas, USA
    • Production companies
      • Anonymous Content
      • HBO Entertainment
      • Passenger
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 55min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

    Related news

    Tribeca 2021 Review: The Phantom is a Cinematic True Crime Gem
    Tribeca 2021 Review: The Phantom is a Cinematic True Crime Gem
    Jun 19Screen Anarchy
    ‘Perry Mason’ costume designer Emma Potter on why ‘the city really needed to be its own character’ in 1933-set drama [Exclusive Video Interview]
    ‘Perry Mason’ costume designer Emma Potter on why ‘the city really needed to be its own character’ in 1933-set drama [Exclusive Video Interview]
    Jun 18Gold Derby

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Edit page
    Add episode
    • Getting started
    • Contributor Zone

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Book-to-Screen Adaptations in the Works
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    2:58
    6 Shows Everyone's Still Talking About
    Watch the video

    Around the web

    Powered by Taboola

    Recently viewed

    You have no recently viewed pages
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • IMDb TV
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2021 by IMDb.com, Inc.