User reviews

What struck me after watching the first episode of "The Night Of" is that this is a story that has been told on countless iterations of "Law and Order". The difference is the luxury of not having to tell it in 40 minutes and the bringing to bear of HBO's prodigious production values combined with a first-rate cast of mostly little-known actors.

The portrayal of the police is unlike anything I've seen before: annoyance about working past the end of a shift, the passing of the buck so someone else gets a case that will doubtless go into the wee hours of the morning, the careless handling of evidence due to available manpower. Here the police are neither heroes nor villains, rather they're just working men and women doing a job.

The atmosphere of the precinct house in the middle of the night is palpable as is the overwhelming sense of helplessness felt by the naive lead character as his night goes from bad to worse. John Torturro's portrayal of a low rent defense attorney who stumbles onto a case much bigger than he imagined holds great promise for future episodes.

As I said at the beginning, it's hardly a story we've not seen before but we've never seen it told this well. I look forward to watching it develop.

HBO's new crime drama 'The Night Of' has sucked me in right from the very beginning. The pilot starts up very slow but builds suspense as it starts to tell the story, and that's where it shines; in it's storytelling. It was dramatically convincing and had a pleasantly dark atmosphere.

The pilot was very long (1hr 20min) but it felt much shorter, it was tense from start to finish, in the sense of the story it was actually very predictable, but it was the acting and how the story was portrayed that made it so gripping and watchable. Not a second went by where my attention wasn't glued to the TV screen.

What really made me love the pilot was how REAL the story felt, there wasn't a moment that made me think that it was a stupid story, it felt REAL. The acting was superb by everyone, the cinematography was perfect with it's overall dark tone and lighting, and the music just set the scene playing in the background to the tone of the show.

The overall mood of the show has been set for the series, and if it stays at this standard for the rest of the series it will be an ultimate success. I look forward to where the rest of this series takes us! No complaints yet!

9/10

I never expected it to be this good, of course the creators are awesome guys with some amazing series in the curriculum like The Wire. And even our man Gandolfini was inside this awesome work at some point (RIP Tony Soprano).

The story is so thrilling and immersive that you can feel yourself inside the show, the actors make it feel real fellas, you feel scary as if everything is happening to you, your heart will just burst up when you see a cop.

We will be introduced to smart dialogues and awesome actuation.

It is a must watch and there is no person who wont love this show, HBO is killing it again and we must follow this astonishing story. Even a 10 isn't enough to give for this series,nit is already a new hit and is already on my top 3.

Really, really like this one. Right off I liked several of the characters, and as the first episode unfolded I was drawn more and more into the story line. The acting is very good, the dialogue intelligent, and the characters are real. The first episode has me anxiously awaiting the next one. As events unfolded and things got more and more complicated, I could almost put myself in his place and wondered what in the world would I do if this happened to me.

I have watched a lot of series over the years and this one is right up there with the best I have seen. Usually go for the hard hitting action series like Banshee, 24, Prison Break, Strike Back, Vikings, etc. This one is very much different from them, but I found myself drawn to it right from the opening scene.

Amazing serie. Series like this remind what true cinematography is. How a serie can make you feel so sad for the lead and just in a couple episodes make you doubt him, hate him and then understand him. The suspense with the music the unexpected turns and twists. Great serie, would maybe even say too great and distressing at moments. Every casting choice was spot on. With the characters the serie adds a perfect amount of humor, drama and thrills. Almost every character had you loving and doubting them, with the constant thought of who's in the right and who's in the wrong.

Wish there was more series like this.

Incredibly fabulous visuals in the exquisite detailing of each frame, tonality,depth of perspectives and the dynamic and graphic balance of each visual image is beautifully worked - a real visual treat! Really stunning work -thank you so much I am sure much of the subtlety of your frames go unnoticed but for those who recognize the depth and artistry involved your work is outstanding!!!Each frame is faultless, a treasure. Heaven on earth. I cannot recommend this series more highly enough to anyone who is interested in well crafted visual story telling that not only has great content but original execution with a tremendously subtle erudite evocative visual style. A true lesson in content, myth and culture in each frame!

"The Night Of" is a breath of fresh air in the world of storytelling, ditching clichéd plot twists for a rollercoaster of uncertainty and authenticity. John Turturro's portrayal of John Stone adds a layer of brilliance, making the characters as intriguing as the plot itself.

The discomfort you feel isn't a flaw; it's the series hitting you with the harsh realities of underprivileged communities and unfair societies. It's a drama that doesn't shy away from making you squirm - a sign of a story that's hitting close to home.

"The Night Of" prompts some serious self-reflection, making you question your own morality and the consequences of your actions. It's not just entertainment; it's a thought-provoking journey into an unjust world that feels all too real.

In a world filled with predictable narratives, "The Night Of" stands out as an unpredictable gem, urging you to rethink your understanding of morality and the impact of an unfair society.

"The Night of" tells the story of Naz - a student who one evening meets a girl who, to his horror, he finds brutally murdered in her bed after a night together. Everything points to him being the murderer of the girl, but Naz can't remember anything.

The series tells this story incredibly well, albeit rather slowly. But that's exactly what I appreciate so much about the series - its realism. Processes that normally happen off camera in other TV series are deliberately shown and discussed here. And that's exactly what creates the perfect mood and tension. This series is probably the most realistic series I have ever seen. There is no stopping here from making it clear to the viewer how tense and painful Naz's situation is.

Riz Ahmed - the actor of Naz, also perfectly conveys the tension and fear that anyone in his situation would exude. I often noticed what I would call a "silent monologue" in Naz. Naz often doesn't speak at all, but you can perfectly read what he's thinking in his facial expressions and gestures. Riz Ahmed rightly won an Emmy for this role.

The series at least made me think and asked myself what I would do in Naz's situation.

"The Night of" is the best mini-series I've seen so far!

Some series don't need fireworks or flashy tricks to grab your attention-they just do it from the very first minute. The Night Of is one of them. With a simple premise-a young man accused of a brutal crime-it could have been just another courtroom drama, but it turns into a top-tier miniseries thanks to its writing, performances, and that shared HBO/BBC stamp of quality.

What hits hardest is how it presents the American justice system: raw, unfiltered, and full of cracks. Riz Ahmed is outstanding as Naz, a young man caught in a legal nightmare, and John Turturro shines in a role that starts quietly but becomes more powerful with each episode. The writing is meticulous, the dialogue feels real, and every scene carries its weight.

As the story unfolds, the focus shifts from the crime itself to how guilt, pressure, prison, and public perception change people. What begins as a legal thriller evolves into a layered human drama where nothing is simply right or wrong. The pace is slow, but that's part of its strength-everything is built with care and intention.

With no need for cheap twists or gimmicks, The Night Of proves a series can be gripping just by being honest, well-written, and superbly acted. A gem that not only entertains, but also makes you reflect on the flaws-and blind spots-of a system that doesn't always know how to tell guilt from innocence.

A great crime drama series with a catchy story and fantastic acting, especially the acting by John Turturro was fascinating. Once you start it is difficult to give a break, I could not help myself binge watching this great mini-series. I think the success of the series is mostly due to its realistic plot that keeps the thrill until the very last moment. While you enjoy watching a good series, it also makes you question about many things like justice system, social stereotypes, faith, and identity. Parallel stories of the main character and his lawyer and how they interact in this touch story is very intimate and worth watching. We need more shows like this.

I started the show expecting crime drama that will heavily on the drama. This series begins with a little description of the main character as minority citizen. We know exactly what will happened to him after an unfortunate incident.

Riz Ahmed as Nasir Khan definitely shine in this mini-series. He looked meek at the start of the story, we will be brought to believe he is a good boy. An innocent boy who faced wrongful accusation of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. That is the great part of this show, because we will continue to guessing until the end.

To summarize, this is a suspense mystery series that will make us unable to stop watching it till the end, but unfortunately ended without 'bang'.

This series is so good, I've watched it 4 times already. And just now decided to write a small review about it.

It is such a great portrayal of society, humans, the judicial system and more. When something is done sincerely, it won't try to please everybody, or do what is popular and check the list of what is deemed 'correct'. No, it will be organic and raw, as reality truly is. And in that portrayal you, we the viewers see and feel that cold reality. Sugar free, not coated for the fragile.

To see the sleepy people that are elected for jury duty, some even sleeping on their seat..that scene tells you so much in merely a few seconds. When the DA (Weisz) puts words deliberately in the mouth of the coroner who is supposed to stand witness in trial. Or how quick the prison system swallows their inmates, wether guilty or not. It is sink or swim, and in a matter of seconds, your fate can already be sealed. This is shown perfectly through the little youngster. Or of course trough Nasir himself, and how we see the transition of a innocent young man that enters that prison and is exposed to so many new and harsh realities of a world of it's own, where it is eat or be eaten. How little investigation is done, and how rare it is that it is done correctly. All that ...presented to a jury that doesn't even want to be there.

But also family life, and (Muslim)minority communities and their small world where everyone is trying to live the dream, but are barely scraping by, and the pressure it lays on its youngsters. The pressure they live in by being working class in a country with post 9-11 syndrome.

How beautiful one person can be and make a difference just by being humane. Oh how I love the character 'John Stone' ( John Turturro) in this series. A man plagued by eczema and allergies, a small time lawyer with a good heart. The person with the cat allergy , is the only one trying his best to save the cat. He goes back and forth, a beautiful metaphor of a rare man trying to do good in a world where doing so isn't rewarding. Turturro killed this role, as his does many. I won't ever forget 'John Stone'. In fact, I have many times smiled in watching him, and wishing to be his friend.

One night, so many repercussions. So many different humans. So much apathy, so much harshness, sometimes beauty displayed in humaneness.

There is much to see in this series, and to feel. Experience it for yourself. It is organic, sincere as any art should be. 'The Night Of' is in my favourites since 2016, and it shall stay there.

I know this was made years ago but I have just watched on dvd.

I am British but never saw the BBC drama this is a version of.

First thing to say is the theme music reminds me of Lou Reed's song street hassle.

Every part and almost every line of this drama is perfect.

The plot(no spoilers) is intelligent and intense.

If you are a fan of NYPD Blue or Law and Order you would like this.

I am sure there are newer and hipper tv things out there but I am not pretending to be trendy in my viewing choices.

I see this was co written by Steven Zaillian.

I find I love almost everything I have seen that he has worked on.

I found I could follow this drama despite not being an American.

Of course many Americans may know that the American legal system is similar to the English system.

(There is no British system because Scotland has its own legal system).

Great plot,yes and some great lines.

But the acting is just as good.

John Turturro plays a fascinating character in this.

Totally convincing and funny and sad at the same time.

To late now but I would love a tv series about the character.

I give no plot spoilers but would say.

One of the best tv shows ever. I have seen it recently again and it is even better than I remembered. A show that has not received the recognition it deserves. Close to 'the wire' quality or 'breaking bad'.

I was wowed by this series.

The story line is just wonderful -- bit of a political plot without taking a political stand.

Every episode is ripe with tension.

It's set up so you are always wondering if he did it or not.

And the acting is quite simply superb with every character being developed in a totally believable way.

The casting was perfect too. So glad Gandofini and DeNiro didnt wind up in the lawyer role.

A few Easter eggs along the way too

I was mesmerized by each episode.

The character development was superb.

And then there's the ending. Is it final? I'd bet money that half the viewers are undecided. Me too. And that's the point.

As it's the notion hbo mini series are one of a kind, which made me give this series a try and ofcourse it's absolutely right notion. Atleast for this series.

What makes this series unique and stand out from others is it's potrayal, gripping story naration and certain issues it touch upon.

The direction of the series is beautiful and intense in it's own way. The way the whole premise had ben put up and continually shaped shows the brilliance of story writing.

The story took up some underrated and underground actors we saw jesus in whole new character of john stone. Riz potrayal of naz is exceptionally good. He keep the innocence and ambiguity around himself for the whole show and the character arc and the way his past is exposed throughout the show embellish the show further.

The main point of the stroy is not the revelation of what really happened on the night of oct.24 But what comes forth after that. It stripped down the atmosphere of nyc and lives of non-american( indians, and pakistanis) the way racial biasness is hurled upon them. It gives a deep glimpse into the room of court and make us sit on the perch of judicial system and DA, and police Administration affairs- towards crimes. The sketch of john stone is drawn in profound manner as he dealt with severe eczema which impacts his social life, appearance and develops insecurity about himself and how he cope up with it.

And the way story is told makes more gripping cause whether naz step inside prison as innocent but comes out guilty. How prison leave marks on his personality ... Tattoos, drugs , violence, smuggling ..

The ambiguity remains intact throughout the show even after the end. But that's the kick of it .

What a great story and acting. Dark, mystery and crime. Love it. Saw it one year after the release, thought it had way too low attention and thats still my opinion. Top 5 serie of the decade all genres.

Have to say i really enjoyed this. Kept you guessing and solid from start to finish. One thing is for sure, John Turturo is one hell of an actor...

I was browsing the web for some new TV-series, when I came across "HBO's new mini-series" The Night Of, and thought about giving it a try.

The story is about a young Pakistani man, who spent a "crazy" night with a girl he'd just met on his day out. After lots of drugs, alcohol and sex, he regains his consciousness only to find out that the young woman is lying dead in bed, covered in her own blood. What you just read was the first half of the pilot episode. Throughout the series, we explore the impact that murder had on our character, Naz, and to the people close to him, the possibility of him being innocent or not, and more importantly the change of character he's going through.

The story isn't original at all by itself, and for a guy who doesn't particularly enjoy crime thrillers, I must say that The Night Of never had me bored with it's slow narrative. The supporting actors are the ones to be praised for that. Each one of them has a reason of existence in the show, no matter how little their screen time may be. As of the main characters, they all have different personas, and what's unique here is that you may hate some of them at first, but as his character progresses into the story, you'll end up liking them. Or exactly the opposite. It's amazing, and you have no clue as to what to expect.

To wrap this up, The Night Of is a TV-series you should definitely give a try, not because it's something different all together, but because it feels like a story that has happened or can happen. The people we meet here are realistic to their core, and not the comic-y portrayals we usually find in TV-series and movies. So, if you're still reading and have a weekend to spare, go and add that show on your "to-do" list.

Have fun!

The American judicial system makes the criminal, the story and the script the highest ratings.

The closing statement calls for salutations and applause.