Linda Cardellini, Jason Bateman, and David Harbour shine in the dark comedy mystery, DTF St. Louis. Discover why this limited series is a must-watch.
After checking out the first four episodes of HBO’s new limited series, DTF St. Louis, I can confidently say that it was everything I had hoped for and more. I expected something unique, but I wasn’t prepared for how deeply this show would resonate with me. It’s a masterful blend of middle-aged life, sharp-witted humor, and a slow-burn mystery that has me completely hooked.
The heart of this show lies in its central trio: Jason Bateman, David Harbour, and Linda Cardellini. On paper, they are a powerhouse lineup, but on screen, they are more incredible than I ever expected. I have followed and adored their individual work for years, but seeing them inhabit this specific world together is a delight I didn’t know I needed.
What struck me most is the chemistry. It isn’t just one-note; each pairing within the triangle offers a distinct flavor that blends together brilliantly. There is a bromance between Jason Bateman’s Clark and David Harbour’s Floyd that genuinely steals every scene. They feel like two men wandering through the fog of their own lives, finding solace in one another. I found myself wanting to be friends with both of these characters.
David Harbour delivers an incredibly emotional performance from the very first scene. He portrays Floyd with such vulnerability that you can’t help but fall in love with him. He is, at his core, a wonderful man trying to go through a life that feels increasingly heavy.
Beside him, Jason Bateman plays Clark with that signature dry wit we love, but with a layer of sincerity that feels fresh. He’s trying his best to be good, even when middle-aged life makes that complicated.
Then there is Linda Cardellini, who has truly brought her A-game here. I found myself dying of laughter every time she appeared in her umpire outfit – a visual gag that never gets old. Her character’s quirks, specifically her habitual overuse of the phrase “No way, Jose,” had me cracking up in every episode. She owns every frame she’s in.
Being of a certain age myself, there was a lot in this show that I found incredibly relatable. The series captures that specific brand of suburban exhaustion and the search for meaning that comes with it.
However, it isn’t just a character study; it’s a gripping murder mystery. The way the story unravels is perfectly paced. As with the best mysteries, the audience only sees what Steven Conrad wants us to see, exactly when he wants us to see it. This makes the reveals feel earned and, in my case, genuinely shocking. I’ve spent four episodes trying to piece together all the details of how this love triangle leads to a death, and yet, I still have no idea. That’s the mark of excellent writing.
All that to say that the tonal balance of DTF St. Louis is its secret weapon. There were moments that had me laughing until my cheeks hurt, immediately followed by scenes that had me wiping away tears. It’s rare to find a show that can pivot from the absurdity of a mid-life crisis to the genuine heartbreak of a crumbling marriage without missing a beat.
You have truly never seen these actors like this before. Backed by a supporting cast including Richard Jenkins, Joy Sunday, and Peter Sarsgaard, the world of DTF St. Louis feels lived-in and eccentric.
If you are looking for a show that is as hilarious as it is haunting, do not miss this one. DTF St. Louis promises to be the water-cooler conversation of the season as viewers try to put together every aspect of the mystery.
The series is set to debut on Sunday, March 1 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on both HBO and HBO Max. Following the premiere, new episodes will air weekly every Sunday, leading up to a highly anticipated series finale on Sunday, April 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, strategically placed right before the season three premiere of Euphoria.
In a fantastic move for inclusivity, and on theme because Floyd is an ASL interpreter, the series will also be available to stream in American Sign Language (ASL), starting with the series premiere on March 1. These versions are dubbed by Justin Jackerson and directed by Leila Hanaumi, ensuring the story is accessible to a wider audience from day one.
About DTF St. Louis: A limited series about a love triangle between three adults experiencing middle-age malaise, that leads to one of them ending up dead.
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Linda Cardellini, Jason Bateman, and David Harbour shine in this dark comedy mystery.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.