Pagan Peak is a suspenseful television series that was first aired in Germany in 2018. The show is set in the stunning Austrian Alps and follows the story of a German detective named Ellie Stocker and an Austrian detective named Gedeon Winter. Together, they must work to solve a series of mysterious and gruesome crimes that occur in the brutal and unforgiving mountainous region. The main idea behind Pagan Peak is the exploration of the human psyche and the darkest aspects of human nature. The show delves into the depths of human evil and examines how far someone can be pushed before they snap. The show also explores the psychological dynamics between the detectives as they investigate the crimes, including the impact of their personal histories and their own inner demons.
The police investigation goes nowhere as the body count rises — until an incident prompts officials to close the case and Gedeon and Ellie to take drastic actions… all as the killer begins to home in on his ultimate target.
The first season opens with Austrian police officers making a gruesome discovery on the side of the road in Bad Radkersburg not the one you might be thinking of if you ve watched the original series or another of its adaptations. Now they re looking at a possible serial killer on the loose, so criminal analyst Christian Ressler Martin Feifel, Vienna Crime Squad is brought in to provide a psychological profile and other details that could point to who the culprit might be.
The show also explores the psychological dynamics between the detectives as they investigate the crimes, including the impact of their personal histories and their own inner demons. One of the standout elements of Pagan Peak is the stunning cinematography and the breathtaking backdrop of the Austrian Alps. The show uses the stunning natural surroundings to create a sense of isolation, despair, and danger.
Euro TV to Watch: Dark, Gripping German-Austrian Crime Drama ‘Pagan Peak’
Before closing out the year and welcoming in a new decade, check out Pagan Peak, the German-Austrian version of the hit series Bron/Broen (The Bridge).
Pagan Peak (Der Pass) — Photo courtesy of Topic
The Swedish-Danish crime drama series Bron/Broen has spawned the French-British thriller The Tunnel and the American-Mexican series The Bridge, as well as Russian-Estonian and Malaysian-Singaporean versions.
Now available in the States is Pagan Peak, aka Der Pass, the German-Austrian adaptation. But there are as many differences in its story and characters as similarities to Bron/Broen.
The first season opens with Austrian police officers making a gruesome discovery on the side of the road in Bad Radkersburg — not the one you might be thinking of if you’ve watched the original series or another of its adaptations. That comes next.
Up in the Alps, Austrian Alpine police have cordoned off the area where a forest ranger found the frozen body of a man in the snow. It has been staged in a particular way and placed so it sits on both sides of the Austrian-German border. As such, the mountain police have notified German state police, who send Ellie Stocker (Julia Jentsch, Hannah Arendt) of the Traunstein criminal investigation unit. Her Austrian counterpart is Gedeon Winter (Nicholas Ofczarek, The Team) of the Salzburg criminal investigation team.
These two are like black and white, night and day, oil and water. Ellie is a cheerful and dedicated cop who almost always has a smile and a nice word for colleagues, as well as a close relationship with her father. Gedeon, on the other hand, is an unpleasant alcoholic druggie and bent cop who has an uneasy relationship with his ill mother and no answer for why he still works for the police. Saga and Martin, they are not.
While Ellie and Gedeon investigate the first case, Austrian police find the body of another dead man in the mountains, posed similarly to the first victim. Now they’re looking at a possible serial killer on the loose, so criminal analyst Christian Ressler (Martin Feifel, Vienna Crime Squad) is brought in to provide a psychological profile and other details that could point to who the culprit might be.
Also assisting on the case, albeit reluctantly, is Sebastian Brunner (Lucas Miko, Charité), the leader of a sort of doomsday cult who seems to be the inspiration for the killer. Meanwhile, a young worker unwittingly crosses paths with the killer, and Munich newspaper reporter Charles Turek (Lucas Gregorowicz, SS-GB) receives additional communications from the now-nicknamed Krampus Killer.
The police investigation goes nowhere as the body count rises — until an incident prompts officials to close the case and Gedeon and Ellie to take drastic actions… all as the killer begins to home in on his ultimate target.
While Pagan Peak is much more of a slow burn than Bron/Broen, it still tells an engrossing story — one that gets its inspiration from, but isn’t a straight German-Austrian copy of, the original series’s first-season narrative. I appreciate this and the fact that the lead characters are quite different from Saga and Martin. The show hooked me from the off and I would have binge-watched it in one sitting if I hadn’t needed sleep.
The eight-episode first season features Franz Hartwig (Murder by the Lake), Hanno Koffler (Beat), Natasha Petrovic (Secrets from the Past), Christopher Schärf (Skylines), and Julian Looman (The Mallorca Files).
Pagan Peak, a Topic Original series, is currently streaming in the US exclusively on Topic and its digital channels, including Topic on Amazon.
(Viewers in the UK can stream the series on the Sky website and Amazon Prime, as well as get the digital download from iTunes.)
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The mountains become characters in their own right, reflecting the dark and mysterious nature of the crimes being investigated. Pagan Peak effectively combines elements of psychological thrillers, crime dramas, and horror genres. The show keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its intense and chilling atmosphere, as well as its unpredictability. The crimes themselves are shockingly violent and gruesome, adding to the overall sense of unease and tension. Overall, Pagan Peak is a gripping and suspenseful series that delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche. It draws viewers in with its captivating storyline, stunning visuals, and compelling characters. The show is not for the faint of heart, as it deals with disturbing and violent content, but for those who enjoy a thrilling and thought-provoking series, Pagan Peak is a must-watch..
Reviews for "Pagan Peak: A Gritty and Deranged Suspense Series That Demands Your Attention"
1. John - ★☆☆☆☆
I was really excited to watch the "Pagan Peak" suspense series, as I had heard good things about it. However, I was extremely disappointed with the show. The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters were poorly developed. The acting was also subpar, with many wooden performances throughout. Overall, I found "Pagan Peak" to be a tedious and unengaging experience. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an enthralling suspense series.
2. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for "Pagan Peak," but unfortunately, it failed to live up to my expectations. The plot started off promising, but quickly became convoluted and confusing. The pacing was inconsistent, with some episodes dragging on while others felt rushed. Additionally, I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters, as they lacked depth and complexity. While the cinematography was visually appealing, it couldn't make up for the shortcomings of the show. Overall, "Pagan Peak" was a disappointment and I would suggest seeking out other suspense series instead.
3. Michael - ★★☆☆☆
After hearing positive reviews about "Pagan Peak," I was excited to give it a try. However, I found it to be quite underwhelming. The story lacked originality, borrowing heavily from other crime dramas without bringing any fresh ideas to the table. The pacing was slow, making it difficult to maintain interest throughout the series. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, with many lines falling flat. While the scenery was visually stunning, it couldn't make up for the lackluster writing and execution. Overall, "Pagan Peak" fell short of my expectations and I would not recommend it to others.
4. Emily - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "Pagan Peak" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it difficult to follow along. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or complexity. The acting was mediocre at best, with many performances feeling uninspired. Additionally, the series seemed to rely heavily on shock value and gratuitous violence, which did nothing to enhance the overall quality of the show. Overall, "Pagan Peak" was a disappointment and I regret investing my time in watching it. I would advise others to steer clear of this series.