The Man Who Died (2022– ) User Reviews

So Finnish

[laduqesa · 7/10 · 31 July 2023]

This is another excellent series from Finland that can probably only be appreciated by a Finn or someone who has lived there. I come into the latter category. An added bonus for me was that the action was set in Hamina, just fifty kilometers from us and we often went there on a weekend. I never tired of marvelling at the concentric street plan - a defensive device from when the city was fought over by empires.

The series is billed as a comedy as well as a crime drama. I don't want to labour the point, but scenes that had me roaring with laughter as being so idiosycratically Finnish would probably leave most foreign viewers cold. It was all done in the understated way typical of the country. I particularly liked the doctor's holiday premises and why he was there.

As for the crime aspects, these were so darkly comic that despite their ridiculousness, there was still a sharp frisson of tension. I didn't guess the identity of the poisoner but it was clear the main suspect wasn't guilty.

I watched the lot within a day. At the end, I was sorry that there weren't a couple more episodes to keep the chuckles going.

It's so hard to recommend or not. I would say try it and if you don't "get it" no harm done, you can give up. As is obvious, I loved it.

Another superb Finnish TV Series!

[DenFL · 10/10 · 7 August 2023]

I'm not new to Finnish tv series but this one went above and beyond my expectations. The best adjective that I can use to describe it is "quirky".

It might sound a bit odd the used adjective but it summarises how it is. I was amazed since the very first episode and you really do not know what is going to happen therefore you want watch more and more. Jussi Vatanen is an extraordinary actor, and from my point of view, one of those able to portrait anything. It's not the first time I see him on screen and he is absolutely talented without detracting anything to the rest of the cast that made a splendid job. His research to identify who is culprit, maybe knowing who might be, is another reason why you want to keep watching it. I think the number of episodes is the right ones as well. My question is, how much "gelato" can a person eat? This a recommended tv series to watch, very different from what we might have been used to watch coming from across the ocean. Scandinavian shows are so well done and hit the point every single time.

First time Finnish Series

[ronlda · 10/10 · 5 April 2024]

To my recollection, this is the first time I have ever watched a Finnish production. But, if it's representative of the genre, I certainly hope it's not my first and last! This series is excellent! Great acting, quirky characters, bizarre deaths, a man trying to solve his own murder before he dies! The writing is excellent and the unusual twists just add to the watching experience. This may be the very first show I have ever been able to watch all the way through with solely captions. Definitely worth it though. The humor ranges from almost slapstick to very dark and macabre. And the scenery is beautiful! I have only been to Helsinki Airport where I slept on a bench before connecting to Moscow but the scenery definitely made me want to go back for a longer visit throughout the country of Finland.

A Lovely, Strange Little Series from Finland

[lschwendinge · 10/10 · 14 April 2024]

The Man Who Died, or Mies joka kuoli (2022) is a lovely, strange little series from Finland. The main character is so disconnected from his emotions that after he hears terrible news from his Doctor he stays in his suit and goes back to work. He sees his wife with the delivery man and still doesn't respond. He waits and watches as the poison continues to kill him. He sees his Doctor several times to obtain medication that allows him to continue to investigate. The slow burn of how his character comes alive and learns to love, at this moment of great tragedy, takes a few episodes to build up, and it isn't until very late that he shows his cards to those who have worked against him. But through the excellent writing, we see how his and his new love's mutual admiration for mushrooms brings them together to solve this mystery and save his little mushroom business. The ending is especially touching.