AMC+ has quietly unleashed a storm on television, and it’s not just another crime drama. This Navajo noir thriller, led by Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon, is already drawing comparisons to True Detective and Shetland—and for many, it’s leaving them both in the dust. With its gripping murder investigations, cultural depth, and breathtaking Southwestern landscapes, this series is proving to be one of the boldest and most original crime dramas in recent years.

A Setting Unlike Any Other

Set in the 1970s Southwest, the series drops viewers into a world where desert winds carry more than sand—they carry secrets, violence, and whispers of old spirits. The barren beauty of Navajo Nation is not just a backdrop but a living, breathing presence that shapes every clue and confrontation. Each frame feels painted in noir shadows and sun-bleached grit, creating a tension that’s both haunting and magnetic.

Detectives with Depth

At the heart of the story are two Navajo detectives, played with striking intensity by Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon. Far from the archetypal hardboiled cops of mainstream noir, these characters navigate not only the brutality of crime but also the cultural complexities of their heritage. They move between Navajo traditions and the pressures of modern policing, creating a layered dynamic that adds authenticity and heart to the suspense.

McClarnon, already acclaimed for his commanding presence in series like Westworld and Reservation Dogs, delivers a performance that critics are calling career-defining. Gordon, meanwhile, shines as his younger counterpart, bringing both vulnerability and fire to the role. Together, they form a partnership that feels as volatile as the desert storms surrounding them.

Murders, Mysteries, and Buried Truths

The crimes at the center of the series are as brutal as they are mysterious. Bodies unearthed in the desert, rituals hinted at in whispers, and a web of corruption that stretches from dusty reservation roads to the polished offices of outsiders. Every twist is a gut punch, every revelation another layer of the desert peeled back to reveal something darker underneath.

Unlike formulaic whodunits, this thriller thrives on atmosphere and character, forcing the audience to sit with ambiguity, silence, and the weight of history. It’s not just about who committed the crime—it’s about what the crime reveals about the land, the people, and the fractures between them.

Why It Stands Apart

While True Detective became famous for its Southern Gothic despair, and Shetland for its windswept Scottish melancholy, this Navajo crime saga offers something entirely new: a noir rooted in Indigenous identity. The series doesn’t just borrow aesthetic flourishes—it builds a crime narrative from within the culture, giving voice to stories and perspectives long overlooked by the genre.

With every episode, viewers are pulled deeper into a narrative that feels both universal and singular. The result is a show that respects tradition while pushing the boundaries of crime drama, standing proudly in its own category rather than as a mere comparison.

The Obsession You Didn’t See Coming

AMC+ has tapped into something electric here—a series that thrills, unsettles, and lingers. Critics and fans alike are raving about its boldness, its beauty, and its willingness to take the crime thriller where it has never gone before.

If you thought the golden age of prestige crime drama had peaked, this Navajo noir proves otherwise. With stellar performances, razor-sharp storytelling, and visuals that burn into your memory like desert heat, it’s more than a show—it’s an experience.

And trust us: once you start, you won’t be able to stop.