The Lawyer (2018– ) User Reviews

Another good Swedish-Danish thriller series

[BeneCumb · 8/10 · 7 July 2019]

As a fan of Scandinavian crime series, I try to watch them as much as possible (well, at some point I have acknowledged that I have watched faster than new ones appear :) ), thus it is natural that Advokaten caught my eye.

Well, its ad made be a bit cautious about potential relying on political correctness, but no - it was not an incumbrance here. The events were not always too smooth, but the logic of events was in place, there were some nice twists, and the cast was strong and distinct (Danes somehow better than Swedes, Thomas Bo Larsen in particular). The latter´s role was not too big, but when visible, he just outperformed the others - like in many other films and series with his participation.

True, it is not on the level of Bron/Broen, but for those fond of Scandinavian series - not a disappointment. Even e.g. Alex, coming to light about the same time, is somewhat weaker.

[8.2] The "skidding" enigmatic advocate

[cjonesas · 8/10 · 3 May 2021]

A thrilling Swedish production with superb acting above all, especially by Thomas Bo Larsen, Nicolaj Kopernikus, Alexander Karim and Malin Buska.

It is superior in the storyline and acting and has weaknesses in editing and logic, in spite of a smoother season 2.

Would have loved if it had a third season. A fine Nordic Noir crime series.

• Screenplay/story: 8
• Development: 8.5
• Realism: 8.5
• Entertainment: 8.5
• Acting: 9
• Filming/cinematography: 8
• Special effects: 8
• Music/score: 8.5
• Depth: 8
• Logic: 7
• Flow: 8.5
• Suspense/drama: 8.5
• Ending/closure: 8.

Another successful Swedish crime series.

[DimitrisPassas-TapTheLine · 8/10 · 16 April 2019]

''Advokaten'' is a show set in both Sweden and Denmark, the story is set in the cities of Malmö and Copenhagen respectively, bringing to mind the iconic Bron/Broen series, a title referring to the -now- widely known Øresund bridge, the boundary between the two Scandinavian countries. The action in this series though is mainly set in Copenhagen and the show's casting emanates from both Sweden and Denmark. There is a number of popular and experienced actors such as Thomas Bo Larsen (''Festen'', ''Bedrag''), Nicolaj Kopernikus (''Forbrydelsen'', ''Bænken''), Alexander Karim (''Arne Dahl'', ''Johan Falk'') and Malin Buska (''Snabba Cash'', ''Happy End''). It should be also noted that the series writing credits list three very popular Swedish crime fiction novelists, Jens Lapidus, Michael Hjorth and Hans Rosenfeldt. Hjorth and Rosenfeldt are known to the audiences by their Sebastian Bergman book series while Lapidus is the author of one of the biggest commercial hits, that is the ''Snabba Cash'' trilogy. This is a story about vengeance and the two protagonists', the siblings Frank and Sara, search for the true perpetrator of their parents tragic murder 20 years before. After the murder, Frank and Sara were placed in different foster families, thus losing touch for a good number of years before they met again. Frank is the titular lawyer, while Sara is a police officer working on the Narcotics division. When Sara locates a person connected to their past, he tells them that her parents' executioner was a now renowned Danish gangster, Thomas Waldman. Sara will quickly convince her brother to join her in an attempt to bring Waldman down once and for all. As a result, Frank will join the law firm which provides its services to Waldman and pursuit his goal by sabotaging him from the inside. The plot reminded me a bit of another Swedish crime series, titled ''Innan vi dör'' (2017), but in my opinion ''Advokaten'' was not as good. It is a slow-burner and the viewer must have the patience to watch the first three or four episodes without giving up. The show becomes better after episode four when the whole plot is set and the various conflicts begin to arise. There is a lot of intrigue as the main characters are connected in different ways, while their targets clash with one another. I found the two protagonists being rather weak as characters and it was a bit difficult to identify with them, but on the other hand the antagonist(s)/villain(s) were rather exciting .The tempo gets faster from episode five onwards and the show never becomes tedious, but it unfortunately ends up in a lackluster finale which disappoints and leaves a bitter taste to the audience. To sum up, I would claim that ''Advokaten'' is a show destined for the fans of Scandinavian crime fiction who will be satisfied by this ten-part crime series. Sadly it lacks the necessary qualities to be classified as a classic in this popular genre.

Just OK

[keithnovak · 6/10 · 15 September 2021]

I enjoyed it but did approach it with fairly low expectations having read the reviews of others. The weakest character in the series for me is Frank played by Alexander Karim ... I didn't think much of him in the Sandhamn Murders either, that actor deserves better roles ... but maybe he's just not up to it?

The plot jumps around all over the place and just drifts along at other times. That said it's still better than the majority of the pulp coming out of the US.

Suspend disbelief & go for the ride

[shoshanim · 7/10 · 8 January 2022]

It was entertaining but you have to swallow a lot of unrealistic nonsense in the process. Soo many crazy and ridiculous scenarios and situations they self-inflict upon themselves it can tend to be annoying. But even having said all that, I really liked Frank, the lead character, and so I pretty much watched to see how he was going to get them out of the messes they made for themselves. Seems like they open ended S2 for a possible S3, which I would watch too.

This is good ...wobbly plot but bingeworthy enough

[mosquitobite · 9/10 · 26 September 2020]

The bonded siblings give this a solid anchor and you care about them. Their trauma their future, search for the truth and peace. Frank Sara Thomas and all supports very good, they all work hard to make it work, even though at times the narrative goes off the rails...., i got lost but kept watching as basic themes were enough and wanted to know everyone's fate. Recommended.

Good! 👔

[oscarjneklund · 7/10 · 17 July 2022]

Exciting and thrilling Tv-show. I like when Sweden and Denmark unite and make series together, it often turns out to be really good. As a Swede, I'm surprised of how Denmark have so many great actors! 🇸🇪🇩🇰

Nice storyline

[marilynemabambu-22131 · 10/10 · 14 March 2018]

Although Swedish crime series could use new actors as they always use the same actors but I am really pleased with this storyline and Alexander Karims acting. Really great!

So desappointing

[olivierbonvalot · 2/10 · 24 September 2018]

I love Scandinavian crime series but for this one the scenario and the photography are so poor. Actors are doing what they can with what they were given... I stopped after 4th episode. I wasn't caring about the way it was going to end. A shame for a crime series !

The best scandinavian series between two languages

[jelinafck · 10/10 · 23 June 2020]

Normally I get anoyed having to listen to the switch between danish and swedish, but this series really catched me after a very short time. I think it's a great series where you follow the crimes in Denmark and how the criminals tries to get away with it all.

I think it only got even better in season two and I'm really hoping for a third season. I know some people find this a bad series looking from the first couple of episodes, but really watch it through, there's so much more that'll change most peoples opinnions on this series.

disappointing

[cffarlowe · 1/10 · 29 May 2020]

Love Scandinavian crime series but this one was very disappointing for the quality one has come to expect. A killer in prison, breaks out and freely drives around the Countryside without police trying to find him and continues to kill? Not realistic.

Love it!

[don_wilcox · 10/10 · 8 September 2020]

Very well directed. Good acting and nicely crafted story. Very bingeable.

Enjoying so far

[tonypowell-1 · 9/10 · 8 July 2021]

More of a question- has Sara put on a lot of weight for the second series?

Mediocre

[jn2-652-67034 · 5/10 · 18 June 2021]

Story is poor and implausible. Acting is uneven, especially the male lead. Series 1 finale is a setup for series 2 and an insult to the audience. Series 2 is worse than series 1.

Film Gris

[ikanboy · 5/10 · 1 May 2020]

A B grade thriller from Norway. The writing is quite poor, the acting pretty awful. Had the story line been presented in a more adult fashion it might have worked, but the characters are not sympathetic, and quite gormless. There is no depth here. Throw a scene at the screen and see what sticks. A cop who is caught using Heroin, and is merely suspended? A female cop who can thrash a muscled hit man into submission twice? A lawyer who looks befuddled at the best of times? Season 2 is coming. Be still my beating heart.

Just not very good at all

[Siddhartha14 · 5/10 · 28 June 2022]

No compelling characters and a plot that is completely dumb. The lead actor does a great job. The person who plays his sister is absolutely awful. The rest of the cast is adequate but nothing more than that. If the plot was better, it might be worth suffering through. But the plot is paper-thin and just not very interesting.

Disappointing

[kimbragchris · 4/10 · 13 April 2021]

Plot,and manuscript writing is ekstremly bad compared to other scandinavian crime story's, the acting is way below average. Watching the Layer/Advokaten is a Waste of time.

It gets even worse

[bif-21647 · 1/10 · 6 March 2021]

Season 2 even gets worse. Watching this TV series had me side with the villain. The two stars, lawyer and his cocaine sniffing cop sister, I had no empathy at all in this show.

Everything done illegally

[bif-21647 · 1/10 · 6 March 2021]

I forgot to mention in my earlier review, this show has a lawyer and her cocaine sister cop as leads. But everything they in the show is illegal, unbelievable.

Tired of bad acting

[Miss_Xray · 2/10 · 10 January 2021]

Why is always sweedes so bad at acting.. This is so emotionless and unrealistic acting. As a Swede... this is not how people talk normally. Sounds so unrealistic. It´s like " my line/ your line"-style. Unnatural.. Cant watch this...

Wrong title of the series

[tomkirkman-07287 · 6 March 2021]

The title should be The PI or The Private Investigator. Only a handful of lawyering work was done by the main character and all he does is illegal to get information. Acting by the main characters is so bad, the lawyer and his cocaine taking cop sister. Could not feel empathy with their characters, much worse than the villain. How can prison escapees roam around the city and the police seemed to have forgotten to look for them. It has also become too predictable that you know what would happen next. Total waste of time watching.

Too good to be true

[bif-21647 · 1/10 · 12 February 2021]

It's just incredible that all things done by the lawyer and his sister is so well planned and executed. One of the series that I did not like the supposed good guys at all. A lawyer who has a sexual relationship with a married woman and a cop who was a drug addict.