In the vein of Peaky Blinders and Ripper Street, Netflix's latest historical drama series Oktoberfest: Beer & Blood showcases the surprisingly violent struggle behind Munich's annual celebration of food and beer, going beyond its Bavarian folk beginnings at the start of the twentieth century. Certainly living up to its title, Oktoberfest is developed by Dark co-creator Ronny Schalk, this time focused on the grounded, gritty past instead of the science-fiction future. And the first season boasts enough intrigue, romance and gruesome death to keep audiences riveted.
Set in Munich at the turn of the century, a shady brewer named Curt Prank is determined to build an ambitious beer hall in the German city in time to steal the show from local brewers at the upcoming Oktoberfest and cash in on the lucrative market. As Prank launches his expansive business plan at any cost, his daughter falls in love with the son of a rival beer baron, causing familial tension, and rivalries between the competing brewers quickly turn bloody.
For fans of historical drama, Oktoberfest boasts a prodigious blend of violence, drama and romance as the brewers pull out all the stops as the titular festival looms. The subtitled version of the series with its original German language track is easy to follow, while the dubbed English language track is serviceable, with the main voice cast employing working-class British accents, which helps strengthen the show's thematic links to other contemporary historical dramas.
Of the German cast, Misel Maticevic is particularly effective as the obsessive Curt Prank, who shrugs off bloody setbacks as he powers forward to realize his vision. Mercedes Müller, who portrays his daughter Clara, and Klaus Steinbacher as her lover Roman Hoflinger, do much of the emotional heavy lifting for the season, as their illicit romance bears unexpected complications, and they deliver stirring performances that elevate the proceedings.
Where the series truly sets itself apart is in its cinematography, which is expertly designed and executed by cinematographer Felix Cramer. As the season progresses, Cramer dials up the visuals' color palette and brightness as a sort of cinematographic countdown to Oktoberfest. And when the titular festival commences, the cinematography takes cues from classical German artwork and keeps the camera work dynamic in long tracking shots and movement that inserts viewers right into the festive vision of 1900 Munich. Earlier episodes are darker and murkier by design but, in some cases, this makes the visuals harder to follow in indoor and nighttime sequences as the brewers wheel, deal and murder in the shadows.
Gripping and unflinching in its violence, Oktoberfest: Beer & Blood is the latest well-crafted drama to shine a light on the dark history of those who helped build the modern world. From forbidden romance to a decidedly pitch-black sense of humor, the Netflix original series will thrill those looking for a gritty exploration of the renowned Bavarian cultural festival. The series doesn't feel constrained by its fidelity to the period, and with its classical art inspiration and dynamic cinematography, it only gets stronger as it progresses.
Created by Christian Limmer, Ronny Schalk and Alexis Wittengenstein, Oktoberfest: Beer & Blood stars Misel Maticevic, Martina Gedeck, Mercedes Müller and Klaus Steinbacher. The first season is available to stream on Netflix.