There are many stories from human to the supernatural that no one could find an explanation for it. In this exciting series, we take a look at a chain of that stories in pure documentary style. The series is based on a 1987 series that carries the same name.
This first batch of new episodes focuses almost exclusively on murders. Which isn't to say that it isn't fascinating, exhaustively researched and deeply affecting.
The new Unsolved Mysteries benefits from Netflix's usual high production values for nonfiction programming, but there's no reason for these episodes to drone on as they do; there's not enough story to support their running time.
What makes the reboot so strong is each episode unfolds like a narrative mystery, with fully fleshed out "characters" - a.k.a. real people whose lives and emotions are allowed space, providing much-needed context to the crime at hand.
The original series is near and dear to its legion of fans. A revival was always going to be risky. Netflix pulls it off by using the old formula with enough tweaks to make it work for today's audience.
There is nothing inherently wrong with this revival of Unsolved Mysteries as the stories are engaging and intriguing, but there just isn't anything that sets it apart from the glut of true crime programming available.
Normally I don't require hand-holding, but with documentary storytelling this mediocre, an authoritative host might have compensated for a total lack of tone.
