Is this Russian culinary thriller suitable for all audiences?

No, due to mature themes and some graphic content, this show's not for the faint of heart. Viewer discretion is advised.

What can I expect from the show's culinary aspects?

The show features impressive culinary expertise, with intricate cooking scenes and a focus on Russian cuisine. If you're a foodie or enjoy cooking shows, you'll likely appreciate this aspect.

Is the show's pacing a major issue?

While the pacing can be uneven at times, it's not a deal-breaker. The show's engaging storyline and suspenseful plot help keep you invested.

What's the deal with Mark Edelstein's character?

Unfortunately, Mark Edelstein's performance didn't quite live up to the hype. His character feels a bit underdeveloped, and his role is overshadowed by the more experienced cast members.

Is this show part of a larger franchise?

No, this is a standalone series. However, it's possible that a sequel or spin-off might be developed if the show receives a positive response.

Can I watch this show with English subtitles?

Yes, English subtitles are available for this show. You can select your preferred language and viewing options on your streaming platform of choice.

What's the show's runtime like?

Each episode is approximately 45 minutes long, with a total of 8 episodes in the first season. The show's relatively short runtime makes it easy to binge-watch.

Is this show available on popular streaming platforms?

Yes, you can stream this show on popular platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. Check your local availability and streaming options.

Russian Culinary Thriller Review: A Unique Blend of Suspense and Cooking

This show's not for everyone, but it's definitely unique. I mean, who wouldn't be curious about a culinary thriller that combines cooking with drama and suspense? The new series with Daniil Vorobyev is an interesting dish, but it's not your everyday, run-of-the-mill thing on Russian cinema's kitchen menu.

Hello to all the good people on my review page!

Producer Timur Vaynstein usually invests in projects that are already successful and trendy, and I started watching with high hopes for good, decent cinema.

I totally get the actors, even if I had read the script, it would have seemed promising to me too. But hyped-up Mark Edelstein, the young talent, somehow didn't impress me. Maybe the role was too vague, but the unknowns who played it seemed to do a better job.

Cast

Daniil Vorobyev, Anna Chipovskaya, Mark Edelstein, Anastasia Mikulchyna, Igor Grabuzov, Alexander Oleshko, Alexander Il'in (Junior), Ivan Fominov, Sergei Gazarov, Nino Kantaria, Alla Sigalova, Milan Kolak, Ivan Arkhangelsky, Alina Uzhgalis, Nikolai Kislichenko, Anton Shurtskov, Eva Danilko, Vadim Norstein, Ivan Lakshin, Sebastian Sisak, Evdokia Germanova, Igor Mirkurbanov, Evgeny Kharetonov, Petar Zekavica, Ilya Lykov, Aziza Kondybaeva, Terese Diouro, Kirill Batishcha

I've got to talk about Chef Mark Levinson, a culinary mastermind. This guy's not your average cook whipping up burgers and meatballs – he's the real deal. You know, the kind of chef who gets featured on cooking shows and gets visits from foreign ambassadors. He works at a Moscow restaurant and, let's just say, he's struck gold. But what people might not know is that he's not exactly the most pleasant guy to work with. He's abusive, yells at his staff, and basically tears them down. And if the meat's not cooked to his liking, watch out – he'll throw a tantrum.

I'm a total foodie myself, and I love cooking. I've watched all the seasons of MasterChef, Hell's Kitchen, and all that stuff. So, when I was watching this show, I was totally invested in the cooking process. I mean, who doesn't love a good close-up of a patty sizzling on the grill? If you're not into cooking, some of the scenes might seem dragged out or unnecessary, but for me, it was all about the culinary experience.

That's probably why some people gave up on the show after the first episode or even during it. But trust me, it's not just about cooking – there's more to it than that. You just have to stick with it for a bit.

I've got to say, the show's tone shifts dramatically after a few episodes, and it's not just the cooking that's on the agenda. The style of filming is actually a clever commentary on consumerism and excess. It's a real eye-opener when you see someone devouring a juicy dish in the first episode - it's just plain gross. I mean, I felt queasy just watching it.

It's a bold move, and I'd call it genius if it wasn't so clearly ripped off from the film 'Substance' where a mundane meal is depicted in a similarly negative light. I mean, it's not a horror movie, but some scenes do have that vibe.

Of course, it's all been done before, but Roskino's take is still fresh, so I'll give 'em points for that.

But what really stood out to me was the level of detail in the food preparation. I mean, some of the dishes might look fancy to a casual viewer, but trust me, I've seen some crazy stuff in my time - like in 'Hannibal', where the cannibal is an artist who loves to cook. And then there's 'Heat' where Mark Wahlberg's character is just a kid making a sandwich. It's a whole different ball game when you compare the two shows.

Watching YouTube food blogs, I picked up some awesome tips from creators that I wish I'd seen in this show. When the flour is poured, and the butter starts to melt, it's like magic - the egg yolk turns a beautiful golden yellow, almost too good to be true, like a happy chicken giving it up for you...

Mark Levinson thinks he's a culinary genius, and he might be, but as a person, he's a total mess. He sleeps with his friend's wife, Anna Chipovskaya, and is just plain nasty - aggressive, arrogant, and hates people. As the series goes on, you start to see more of his life story - his daughter is sick, he needs money for surgery, he got kicked out of a fancy restaurant, and no one wants to work with him because of his behavior.

And that's when things really started to get interesting. How do you raise money for your sick daughter's surgery when you love her more than anything in the world? You could ask your influential friends for help, try to open your own restaurant, or look for another job. But after the second episode, the evening is no longer so romantic, the show is still dark and hard to watch, but you start to see a glimmer of hope - the plot is finally starting to move forward.

I wasn't blown away by the casting choice for the lead role. Vasily Vorbey's played plenty of psychopaths and serial killers in other shows, but in my opinion, this role just didn't work for him. The character's supposed to be mean-spirited, but he comes across as kinda vague and unengaging - and even after the audience learns all about his backstory, we still don't really get a sense of who he is as a person throughout the whole film.

I've got to give props to the costume designers and makeup artist - they really transformed Vorbey into a completely different character, with a new nose and hairdo that's not like anything he's done before.

Unfortunately, the cinematography didn't impress me either. Ninety percent of the time, we're stuck in dark, dingy locations, and even when we do get outside, it's usually at night. The lighting's so dim that you've got to squint to see what's going on - it's like they're trying to save on lighting costs or something. It's like the whole movie takes place in a perpetual state of twilight.

The pacing's a bit slow, and I think they could've made the whole thing more engaging by cutting some scenes and condensing the story into fewer episodes. Still, it's kinda fun to watch the chef try to wriggle out of the mess he's gotten himself into.

Let's face it, this show's got all the classic serial tropes down: police, love, betrayal - the works. It's like they say, 'death, tears, and love...'. And yeah, a culinary thriller is a weird genre on its own.

MY TAKEAWAYS

I'd still recommend checking it out, it's definitely unique, and while it doesn't quite hit the mark in all departments, it's not as bad as the critics are making it out to be.

Compared to the usual Russian TV fare I've seen this year, this one stands out - even with that awkward Vrubey cameo. I mean, let's be real, there hasn't been anything really worth watching or memorable in the past year. All these 'crystal' and 'word from the streets' shows are just a thing of the past. This year's offerings have been pretty underwhelming, to be honest.

The show's definitely quirky, but it's still watchable. It's like a dish from some obscure national cuisine - it's either going to be a delicacy or a total turn-off. But trust me, the first episode is worth watching. Give it a shot!