Episode 4 delivers another intense chapter in this riveting Nordic noir series, blending procedural investigation with raw emotional stakes and clever misdirection that keeps the mystery bubbling. This episode shifts focus toward the Hartung family while deepening the partnership between our lead detectives, resulting in a taut, character-rich instalment that adds layers on top of what has come before.
The episode opens in the aftermath of a shocking loss from the previous chapter, with the police department reeling and tensions running high. Detective Naia Thulin is visibly affected by the accumulating horrors, her usual composure cracking under the weight of the gruesome cases piling up. Danica Ćurčić convays a quiet exhaustion and maternal guilt as she navigates her strained relationship with daughter Le, who is temporarily staying with her grandfather. These personal moments ground the thriller elements, preventing the show from becoming purely driven by shocking murders.
Mark Hess, played with brooding intensity by Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, continues his obsessive dive into the Kristine Hartung cold case. His discovery of a chestnut man figurine near Kristine’s abandoned belongings reignites his belief that the current killings are intimately linked to Rosa Hartung’s tragedy. Hess’s apartment, plastered with crime scene photos, speaks volumes about his own unresolved traumas with later revelations about his past add poignant layers to his erratic methods. The chemistry between Thulin and Hess is evolving naturally; their initial friction gives way to mutual reliance, even as bureaucratic pressures threaten to separate them.
The renewed scrutiny of the Hartung family is starting to open the story up. Rosa (Iben Dorner) faces mounting professional and personal threats as her political return coincides with public scrutiny over her daughter’s disappearance. Steen Hartung’s desperate media appeals add urgency, straining their marriage further while highlighting themes of grief and resilience. The detectives’ interview with Rosa uncovers surprising details about her background, including her adoption, which opens new avenues into potential motives tied to her past decisions on child welfare cases and hinting back to the brutal opening of Episode 1.
The investigation gains momentum through inconsistencies in Linus Bekker’s confession. Footage placing him at a crime scene despite his claims contradict the investigations timeline, leading to a tense prison interrogation. Bekker’s unraveling demeanor and cryptic hints about the true killer inject paranoia and uncertainty. These scenes are masterfully directed, with tight framing and shifting lighting that amplify the psychological pressure. Things are starting to hinting at possible corruption or coercion within the police ranks themselves.
After questioning Rosa, a new suspect pair emerges: nurse Benedikte Skans and Rosa’s driver Jacob. Benedikte’s tragic history – losing her child after forced removal due to postnatal psychosis – provides a believable revenge motive. The episode skillfully builds suspicion around them, leading to a frantic search when Rosa’s son, Gustav, goes missing. The hunt for the kidnappers van and subsequent discoveries ratchet up the suspense, culminating in a grim scene that appears to tie up loose ends but feels too neat. The reveal of preserved body parts in their freezer seems conclusive, yet Hess’s instincts and alibis and forensic doubts suggest the real perpetrator remains at large.
This misdirection is one of the episode’s strengths. It offers a satisfying red herring while planting seeds for larger twists. The series’ moody aesthetic: rain-drenched Copenhagen streets, shadowy interiors, and haunting close-ups of chestnut men that continue to unsettle. Thulin’s solo investigation at an abandoned foundry is soaked in a creeping paranoia, captured through reflective surfaces and lurking camera angles, delivers genuine chills without relying on jump scares. It also deepens her character, showcasing her determination even as personal life tugs at her focus. Hess’s confrontation with departmental scepticism, including a physical altercation and questions about his mental stability tied to his family’s tragic past, add questions about his mental state. While some subplots, like Thulin’s family dynamics, occasionally pause the momentum, they ultimately serve to humanise the protagonists and heighten the stakes – making every threat feel personal. The violence stays impactful and purposeful, underscoring the brutality without excess.
By its conclusion, the episode leaves key questions unanswered and poses more, creating a hook that doesn’t let go. It solidifies The Chestnut Man as a worthy entry in the Nordic Noir crime drama tradition, while carving its own identity through the eerie chestnut motif. The atmospheric tension is really starting to be cranked up and the mounting dread and evolving mystery ensure this series remains a must-watch.
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