Nocturne Episodes 1 & 2 Review: Tension and Mystery

Nocturne makes a strong first impression with its opening two episodes on Apple TV. The story kicks off at Riverside Medical Hospital, where a patient takes his life after talking with a manipulative inmate named Jurek Walter, played by Stephen Graham. Six months later, an empathetic nurse named Karl gets pulled into Walter's orbit. At the same time, a missing child named Michael Frost suddenly reappears after three years, sparking a new investigation that drags retired cop Jonah Lynn, played by Liev Schreiber, back into action.

Creator pacing is a major highlight here. Instead of rushing to answers, the show lets viewers soak in the dark atmosphere and piece together the clues alongside the characters. Liev Schreiber brings a palpable weariness to Jonah, while Zazie Beetz shines as FBI agent Saga, bringing balance and heart to the tense scenes. Stephen Graham plays Walter with a chilling mix of flattery and cold menace, keeping everyone guessing about his true involvement in the ongoing horrors.

Episode 2 shifts to a slightly slower, character focused journey where past sins start catching up to the cast. Karl smuggling a letter for Walter causes immediate trouble, and Saga goes undercover to get closer to the truth. These quieter moments allow the show to build rich backstories without leaning on heavy exposition.

With new episodes airing every Friday through December, Nocturne is shaping up to be a must watch crime drama for fans of slow burn mysteries. The first two chapters prove that thoughtful storytelling and strong acting can make an hour long episode fly by in what feels like minutes.