Dark

When a boy vanishes from a small German town, the disappearance sets off a chain of investigations that link four families across different eras. What starts as a search for a missing child soon uncovers hidden relationships, old grievances and strange patterns that repeat through decades. As teenagers and adults piece together clues, young Jonas Kahnwald emerges at the center of a larger puzzle involving unexplained phenomena, secret meetings and sudden disappearances. The show keeps shifting between timelines, revealing how choices ripple through generations while keeping its biggest turns under wraps.

Premiering on Netflix in 2017, Dark was created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese. Filmed in German, the series rolled out its episodes internationally on the streaming platform and established a reputation for cinematic production values and meticulous plotting.

Dark built a vocal international fanbase that organized around theories, character maps and timelines. Its dense narrative and moody visuals prompted extensive online discussion, fan-made diagrams and community attempts to reconstruct the chronology, turning the show into a staple of streaming-era fandom culture.

Critics and viewers praised the series for its intricate structure and bleak atmosphere, reflected in a strong vote average of 8.424/10 from many users. Major themes include fate versus choice, the weight of family secrets, and the moral costs of trying to change the past. Performances, especially by Louis Hofmann as Jonas Kahnwald, and the series' sound design and pacing drew frequent attention in reviews.

The show collected a number of television awards and nominations, particularly in Germany and European festivals, with recognition aimed at its writing, cinematography and ensemble cast. While it never relied on mainstream Hollywood accolades, Dark's honors reinforced its status as a distinct and influential non-English language series on the global streaming stage.