The first season of 10 episodes debuted worldwide on Netflix on October 13, 2017.[5][6] The second season was released by Netflix on August 16, 2019.[7] In January 2020, Netflix announced that the potential for a third season was on indefinite hold as Fincher wanted to pursue other projects, but may "revisit [the series] in the future".[8] In February 2023, Fincher confirmed that the series was officially over.[9]
Plot
Mindhunter revolves around FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, along with psychologist Wendy Carr, who operate the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit within the Training Division at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Together, they launch a research project to interview imprisoned serial killers to understand their psychology with the hope of applying this knowledge to solve ongoing cases.[10]
The first season takes place from 1977 to 1980, in the early days of criminal psychology and criminal profiling at the FBI. Cameron Britton has a recurring role in this season as notorious serial killer Edmund Kemper, who is the first to assist Ford and Tench in understanding how a serial killer's mind works. Other notable serial killers featured in the first season include Montie Rissell played by Sam Strike, Jerry Brudos played by Happy Anderson, Richard Speck played by Jack Erdie, and Dennis Rader also known as BTK, played by Sonny Valicenti.[11]
The second season takes place in 1980 and 1981, with Ford and Tench investigating the Atlanta murders of 1979 to 1981, which included at least 28 deaths, mostly children.[12] This is based on the real case of Wayne Williams, who was charged and convicted for the murder of two adult men but was never tried for the killing of the children and adolescents, causing mass outrage and questions over Williams's guilt as the children's cases went cold.[13] The second season also features other infamous murderers, such as David Berkowitz, also known as Son of Sam, played by Oliver Cooper, William Pierce Jr. played by Michael Filipowich, Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. played by Robert Aramayo, and Charles Manson, played by Damon Herriman.[11]
June Carryl as Camille Bell (season 2), a grieving mother of Yusef Bell, one of the Atlanta murder victims and the organizer of the Committee to Stop Children's Murders
The development of Mindhunter began in 2009 when Charlize Theron gave a nonfiction crime book titled Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit to David Fincher.[17][18] In January 2010 the Mindhunter project was set up at Fox 21, which had optioned the book, along with premium cable channel HBO. Scott Buck was tapped to write the pilot.[19][20] Fincher, who was mostly known as a director and producer in films, felt at that time that television was "completely foreign" until he worked on the political drama House of Cards, for which he co-produced and directed the first two episodes.[17] When Fincher finally felt comfortable with television as a medium after doing House of Cards,[17] Theron suggested playwright and screenwriter Joe Penhall as the project's writer,[17][18] replacing Buck.[20] In December 2015, Mindhunter was moved to streaming service Netflix,[18][20] with Fox 21 dropping out of the project.[20]
The character of Holden Ford is loosely based on FBI agent John E. Douglas, on whose book, Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit, the show is based.[27][28] The character of Bill Tench is based on pioneering FBI agent Robert K. Ressler.[29] Wendy Carr is a fictional character based on psychiatric forensic nurse researcher Ann Wolbert Burgess,[30][31] a prominent Boston College nursing professor who collaborated with the FBI agents in the Behavioral Science Unit and procured grants to conduct research on serial murderers, serial rapists, and child molesters.[32][33] Her work is based on treating survivors of sexual trauma and abuse, and studying the thought process of violent offenders.[33] The serial killer characters were modeled on the actual convicted criminals and their prison scene dialogues were taken from real interviews.[34] Although not explicitly stated, it is implied that the ADT serviceman seen in several short vignettes throughout the first season is Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer.[35][36] This is clarified in the second season.[37]
The second season was originally reported to consist of eight episodes;[39] however, the season ultimately contained nine episodes. Shooting took place between April and December 2018.[40] Directors for the second season were Fincher, Andrew Dominik, and Carl Franklin.[41]
In November 2019, a potential third season was reported to have been put on indefinite hold until Fincher finished working on his next film, Mank.[42] Fincher planned to make five seasons.[43] In January 2020, Netflix announced that the cast had been released from their contracts and that the series was on indefinite hold, as Fincher was busy with other projects. A Netflix spokesperson stated, "He may revisit Mindhunter again in the future, but in the meantime felt it wasn't fair to the actors to hold them from seeking other work while he was exploring new work of his own."[8] In October 2020, Fincher confirmed the series was done for now, and a Netflix spokesperson said that a third season may be possible "maybe in five years".[1] The next month, some of the reasons to suspend the series were fleshed out – cost (Fincher stated, "It had a very passionate audience, but we never got the numbers that justified the cost."), production (the second season showrunner was fired and eight of the scripts were rewritten), management (co-producer Peter Mavromates said of Fincher, "Even when he wasn't directing an episode, he was overseeing it."), and exhaustion (Fincher said, "I certainly needed some time away").[44] In February 2023, Fincher confirmed that the series was officially over.[9]
FBI Special Agent Holden Ford fails to prevent the suicide of Cody Miller in a 1977 hostage situation in Braddock, Pennsylvania. Upon Ford's return to FBI base, he is told that his "negotiation" was successful since he saved the hostage's life, and he is promoted to teaching. Ford takes an interest in another class delving into the minds of killers, taught by Peter Rathman. Ford, who is single and living alone at the time, meets Debbie, a graduate student studying sociology. With Debbie's encouragement, Ford seeks additional education in criminal psychology. Ford is referred to Bill Tench, head of behavioral science. Tench takes Ford on his teaching classes around the country, sharing FBI techniques with local law enforcement. In Iowa, local police take offense when Ford suggests that Charles Manson is a victim. As Tench counsels Ford to simplify his method, the two are approached by a local detective, Frank McGraw, seeking help in a brutal case of murder and rape.
2
2
"Episode 2"
David Fincher
Joe Penhall
October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
In Wichita, Kansas, an ADT serviceman demands the cardboard core for empty electrical tape. Tench and Ford arrive at San Francisco, California, where Ford requests a conversation with Charles Manson, just 30 miles away. Tench states that gaining access to Manson is impossible. Local police, however, suggest that Ford meet Edmund Kemper, the coed killer. Tench has no interest in interviewing Kemper, so Ford goes alone. To his surprise, he finds Kemper to be highly intelligent and talkative. Meanwhile, an elderly woman in Sacramento is attacked and her dog's throat is slashed. Ford convinces Tench to accompany him during his next visit to see Kemper. Kemper describes his hatred of his mother and how he began torturing animals. At home, Debbie wants Ford to meet her mother and states her mother judges her boyfriends by their relationship with their own mothers. Shepard is infuriated to learn about Ford and Tench's interviews with Kemper, but allows them to continue their project in the basement.
Story by : Joe Penhall Teleplay by : Joe Penhall and Ruby Rae Spiegel
October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
The ADT serviceman stares at a house before getting in a van and driving away. Ford and Tench approach Dr. Wendy Carr, a social sciences professor in Boston, Massachusetts, for academic interest in the study. Their attempt to meet Benjamin Franklin Miller is declined. Another elderly woman in Sacramento has been attacked and her dog's throat slashed from ear to ear, but this time she was murdered. After an interview with Kemper, Tench believes the suspect is white, in his 30s, and has a similar relationship with his mother as Kemper did. The police set their sights on Dwight Taylor, a man in his 30s with an abusive mother. After interrogation, Taylor confesses to the murder. Ford recommends the removal of certain words from the FBI's list of deviant words. Carr arrives in Fredericksburg as a consultant for the FBI.
4
4
"Episode 4"
Asif Kapadia
Story by : Joe Penhall Teleplay by : Joe Penhall and Dominic Orlando
October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
Ford and Tench interview Montie Rissell, a serial killer who murdered five women in Virginia. Rissell shows no remorse for his actions and considers himself a victim. His methods of murder were blunt-force trauma, drowning, and stabbing. He is less sophisticated than Kemper in his technique and killed his first victim because she was a sex worker who did not resist rape. He later kills other victims for "talking too much". After being bribed with Big Red, Rissell reveals the same hate for his mother as Kemper. Tench gets into a car accident. In Altoona, Pennsylvania, Tench and Ford join local police officer Mark Ocasek in investigating the murder of Beverly Jean Shaw, an "engaged" 22-year-old babysitter. They initially focus on a former drifter and local welder, Alvin Moran, but Moran's alibi checks out. Tench reveals that he has an adopted six-year-old son named Brian who refuses to speak. Back in Fredericksburg, Ford invites Carr to meet his girlfriend at a bar. Carr secures $385,000 in grant money to fund their research.
In Altoona, Pennsylvania, the investigation into the murder of Beverly Jean continues. Ford, Tench, and Ocasek interview her "fiance", Benjamin "Benji" Barnwright. Benji begins profusely crying, sending red flags to Ford, who believes men crying to strangers could be an act. The police speak with Benji's mother. Benji's mother mentions Frank Janderman, Benji's brother-in-law. Ford begins to question Debbie's sexual past. Tench and Ford discover Frank's violent past. Frank, however, does not have a pathology of a serial killer. After interviewing Frank, the police discover that Benji's relationship with Beverly Jean was not as serious as Benji claimed. With renewed interest, Tench and Ford interrogate Benji. The trio then interrogates Rose, Benji's sister, at her house. She is seen with bruises. Ocasek warns Rose that if the FBI finds out any involvement between her and the murder, she will lose her child. Later, Rose comes to the police station and admits Frank was not home during the night of Beverly Jean's disappearance. The truth unravels as Rose claims that Frank called her to Benji's house the night of the murder and she found Beverly Jean dead. She admitted that she cleaned up the house while Benji and Frank disposed of the body.
6
6
"Episode 6"
Tobias Lindholm
Story by : Joe Penhall Teleplay by : Joe Penhall and Tobias Lindholm
October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
The ADT serviceman is seen with a rope making a knot while his wife tends to their infant daughter. Shepard offers Carr a full-time consulting position at the FBI. Back in Altoona, Tench confronts Benji. Carr concludes that Beverly Jean was alive when Rose arrived. The police conclude that Benji, Rose, and Frank are all accomplices. Back in Fredericksburg, Debbie and Ford have dinner at Tench's home. The prosecution only intends to seek full punishment for Benji while offering pleas for Rose and Frank. Carr returns to Boston and asks her partner, Annaliese Stilman, for her opinion on accepting the FBI's offer. Annaliese warns her about her career and having to stay closeted, but Carr decides to leave for Virginia, anyway.
7
7
"Episode 7"
Andrew Douglas
Story by : Joe Penhall Teleplay by : Joe Penhall and Jennifer Haley
October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
Tench and Ford travel to Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem, Oregon, to interview Jerry Brudos. Brudos admits to having a shoe fetish. Ford buys an extra-large pair of women's shoes for Brudos, which he uses to get Brudos talking. Carr begins feeding a cat at her new house in Fredericksburg. Tench and Nancy talk about Brian's behavior at school. At their home, Brian's babysitter discovers a crime scene photo showing Ada Jeffries dead with a wooden pole inserted in her anus. The babysitter is too afraid to continue working there.
8
8
"Episode 8"
Andrew Douglas
Story by : Erin Levy Teleplay by : Erin Levy and Jennifer Haley
October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
Ford is invited to speak at an elementary school and is approached by a teacher, Janet Ebner, who is concerned with Principal Roger Wade's behavior of tickling children and giving them nickels. Ford becomes suspicious that Debbie is cheating on him. The BSU hires Gregg Smith. Ford asks Gregg to come with him to speak with Wade, whom he suspects of being a pedophile. Principal Wade insists that tickling is a positive experience for the children. Gregg tells Shepard about Ford's latest investigation, and Ford is advised to drop the issue. Ford returns to Oregon to meet with Brudos, who is more talkative. Debbie invites Ford to a room blackout event where he catches her in a compromising position with another man from college. Ford angrily leaves. He later receives a call from the school superintendent informing him that Wade will be let go.
9
9
"Episode 9"
David Fincher
Story by : Carly Wray Teleplay by : Carly Wray and Jennifer Haley
October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
The ADT serviceman is sitting in the house of an intended victim. When the clock strikes midnight and the victim shows no sign of arriving, he becomes fed up with waiting, tidies up after himself, and leaves in frustration. At the Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, Ford and Tench interview Richard Speck, who shows no interest in co-operating until Ford asks what gave him the right to take "eight ripe cunts out of the world". Tench recommends that Ford redact his unconventional comment from the interview. Ford and Debbie reconcile. Ford is confronted by Wade's wife at his apartment. Carr notices that food she has been leaving for a stray cat where she lives is no longer being eaten. The unit releases information regarding the murder of Lisa Dawn Porter, a 12-year-old-girl in Adairsville, Georgia. The police notice that the trees have been trimmed and set their focus on Darrell Gene Devier. Carr is summoned by Shepard, who informs her that Richard Speck has filed a complaint accusing Ford of "fucking with his head". The unit gives the redacted interview transcript to the OPR. Back in the basement, the team agrees to destroy the original tape, but Gregg decides, instead, to mail it to the OPR.
10
10
"Episode 10"
David Fincher
Story by : Joe Penhall Teleplay by : Joe Penhall and Jennifer Haley
October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
Kemper writes Ford saying he would like to meet with him again. Devier agrees to meet the FBI voluntarily. Ford uses techniques he learned from his interviews to achieve a confession. The police celebrate, and after having too many drinks, Ford brags about the unit's involvement with serial killers. His boasts reach the press. Carr flies to Rome, Georgia, in hopes of preventing the district attorney from seeking the death penalty for Devier. Ford and Debbie break up. Ford receives an urgent call from Kemper's doctor. The unit learns that the OPR has received the recording of the Speck interview, and interview Ford and Tench about it. Ford visits Kemper in prison, and Kemper says he could kill Ford if he wanted to. Ford flees in terror before collapsing in the hall in a panic attack. In Kansas, the ADT serviceman is seen burning sadistic drawings.
Story by : Doug Jung and Joshua Donen & Courtenay Miles Teleplay by : Courtenay Miles
August 16, 2019 (2019-08-16)
The ADT serviceman's wife walks in on him performing autoerotic asphyxiation. Holden wakes up in the hospital and learns he suffers from panic attacks. Tench has been looking for him. Shepard retires, and the new boss, Ted Gunn, gives his full support to the BSU and even does away with the OPR inquiry. Ford tells Carr about his panic attacks and points out that he feels much better, despite being told that he has a panic disorder; she advises him to be careful of the signs that may lead to another attack. At Shepard's retirement party, Shepard angrily reveals to Ford that he was forced to retire, as someone had to take the fall for Ford's mistakes. Ford suffers another panic attack on hearing the truth, unbeknownst to everyone else.
12
2
"Episode 2"
David Fincher
Story by : Doug Jung and Joshua Donen & Courtenay Miles Teleplay by : Courtenay Miles
August 16, 2019 (2019-08-16)
The ADT serviceman's wife gives him a pamphlet about overcoming "deviance". Tench begins to look into the BTK killer and with Ford's help, notices that he bases his actions on various other killers, including David Berkowitz. They interview Berkowitz and get him to admit to lying about hearing voices and demons, furthering their data on classifications of killers. Tench and Carr discuss Ford's panic attacks and agree to share information and look out for him. A body is discovered in a house of which Nancy, Tench's wife, is the realtor.
13
3
"Episode 3"
David Fincher
Story by : Joshua Donen & Courtenay Miles Teleplay by : Joshua Donen and Phillip Howze
August 16, 2019 (2019-08-16)
While in Atlanta with Jim Barney to interview two killers (William "Junior" Pierce and William Henry Hance), Ford is approached by three mothers who ask him to investigate the seemingly related murders of their children. A young child is revealed to be the body that was found murdered in Nancy's realty house, and the body was tied to a cross. Tench offers his assistance to the detective, as the nature of the crime scares the locals.
Story by : Joshua Donen & Courtenay Miles Teleplay by : Jason Johnson & Colin J. Louro and Joshua Donen
August 16, 2019 (2019-08-16)
Ford develops a politically controversial profile of the child murderer in Atlanta, which the detail sent back. Carr and Gregg interview Elmer Wayne Henley, Jr. In the interview, Carr reveals that she is a lesbian, though the agents believe this to have been a ruse to get Henley Jr. to speak. It is revealed that Tench's son Brian was involved in a child's murder in his neighborhood.
15
5
"Episode 5"
Andrew Dominik
Story by : Pamela Cederquist Teleplay by : Pamela Cederquist and Liz Hannah
August 16, 2019 (2019-08-16)
Carr's relationship with Kay heats up. Ford and Tench consult Kemper briefly to get some of his insight into the BTK case before interviewing Charles Manson. Manson denies any responsibility for the murders. Tench becomes upset during the interview and ends it early. Ford goes alone to interview Tex Watson, one of Manson's followers, while Tench flies home on a red eye flight. Watson details how Manson influenced his behavior. He then details his role in the Tate murders. Carr, Ford, and Tench attend a dinner party at Gunn's house. Tench reveals to Carr what is going on at home. Another body is found in Atlanta.
Story by : Joshua Donen & Courtenay Miles Teleplay by : Courtenay Miles
August 16, 2019 (2019-08-16)
As the situation in Atlanta gets worse, the FBI is officially sent to investigate and catch the murderer. As Ford and Tench need to be in Atlanta, Carr and Gregg go to New York to interview Paul Bateson in prison. The Tenches are concerned that their son Brian is continuing to regress in response to his role in the murder of the toddler.
17
7
"Episode 7"
Carl Franklin
Story by : Joshua Donen & Courtenay Miles Teleplay by : Liz Hannah
August 16, 2019 (2019-08-16)
Ford and Tench hit a dead end with their investigation to catch the Atlanta killer. Ford suggests a new plan to lure the killer. Carr is disappointed when she is told by Gunn not to interview more criminals, and to focus instead on her analysis.
18
8
"Episode 8"
Carl Franklin
Story by : Joshua Donen & Courtenay Miles Teleplay by : Alex Metcalf
August 16, 2019 (2019-08-16)
Ford is persistent with his profiling to catch the Atlanta murderer, and recommends that they watch the bridges in the area. An upset Tench attempts to reconnect with Brian, while Nancy shows strong signs of wanting to move. Carr overhears Kay having a conversation with her ex-husband, and decides to end their relationship. In Atlanta, the FBI and the local police catch a potential suspect on a murder site.
19
9
"Episode 9"
Carl Franklin
Story by : Joshua Donen & Courtenay Miles Teleplay by : Shaun Grant
August 16, 2019 (2019-08-16)
The police and FBI focus their investigation on Wayne Williams as the primary suspect of the Atlanta murders, but find obtaining physical evidence to be difficult. While Williams is later charged for two of the murders, Ford has some self-doubt after APD decides to close all the child murder cases. Tench is stunned when he returns home to see that Nancy has taken Brian and moved out of their house without him. Ford watches a press conference concluding the Atlanta case, but he continues to be troubled knowing that he still could not solve the rest of the missing children's murders and bring closure for the families involved. The BTK strangler is shown to continue his ways at the end of the episode despite burying them.
Reception
Critical response
The first season received positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the season has a score of 79 out of 100 based on 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[45] On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an approval rating of 96% with an average score of 8 out of 10, based on 102 reviews. The site's critics consensus reads: "Mindhunter distinguishes itself in a crowded genre with ambitiously cinematic visuals and a meticulous attention to character development."[46] The first season of Mindhunter was named among the best TV shows of 2017; it was ranked No. 10 on Metacritic's year-end list of the best TV shows of 2017 compiled from rankings by various critics and publications.[47]
The second season was also acclaimed. On Metacritic, the season has an average score of 85 out of 100, based on 12 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[48] On Rotten Tomatoes, the second season holds an approval rating of 99% based on 70 reviews, with an average rating of 8.3 out of 10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Mindhunter expands its narrative horizons without losing sight of the details that made its first season so rich, crafting a chilling second season that is as unsettling as it is utterly absorbing."[49]
Pamela Cederquist, Joshua Donen, Marcus Gardley, Shaun Grant, Liz Hannah, Phillip Howze, Jason Johnson, Doug Jung, Colin Louro, Alex Metcalf, Courtenay Miles, Dominic Orlando, Joe Penhall and Ruby Rae Spiegel
