If you grew up with the Brothers Grimm fairy tales and imagine a world where princesses, princes, and monsters actually exist in modern society, Grimm is the series that satisfies your curiosity to the core. This crime-fantasy series, aired from 2011 to 2017 with 6 seasons and 122 episodes, creates an unforgettable legend of a new generation monster hunter named Nick Burkhardt.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The story follows Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli), a young detective at the Portland Police Department who discovers he is descended from a line of hunters known as 'Grimms,' who have the ability to see Wesen (creatures) hiding in human form. When his aunt Marie (Kate Burton) reveals the truth and gives him a guidebook, Nick must learn to use his new abilities to protect humanity from evil Wesen while maintaining relationships with his partner Hank Griffin (Russell Hornsby) and girlfriend Juliette Silverton (Elizabeth Tulloch), as well as teaming up with Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell), a peace-loving Blutbad who becomes a key friend and ally.
Acting and Characters
The heart of this series is the cast that works together seamlessly. David Giuntoli portrays Nick as an ordinary person burdened with great responsibility, convincingly showing both determination and vulnerability. Meanwhile, Silas Weir Mitchell as Monroe brings color and charm to the series; the dialogue between Nick and Monroe often blends humor and social satire perfectly. Russell Hornsby as Hank is a loyal partner and the audience's eyes and ears as they learn about the Wesen world. Sasha Roiz as Captain Renard adds political complexity and mixed-blood tension. Reggie Lee as Wu and Bree Turner as Rosalee round out the team with humor and warmth respectively. Overall, the cast creates chemistry that makes viewers believe in the characters' relationships.
Direction, Visuals, and Music
In terms of direction, Grimm uses a dark but not depressing visual tone, effectively conveying the mystery of the Wesen world. Action scenes are shot concisely and engagingly, though some episodes may feel slow-paced; overall, it maintains excitement throughout the seasons. The music by Richard Marvin enhances both investigative and fight scenes, especially the main theme, which feels classic and intriguing.
Editorial Analysis
What sets Grimm apart from other crime-supernatural series is its reinterpretation of classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales in a modern context, preserving the core of original tales like Red Riding Hood, Snow White, or Hansel and Gretel while adapting them to crime cases and moral complexity. The series also subtly addresses issues of racial differences and acceptance of the strange in society. Although later seasons may drag and have overly complex subplots, the show's strength lies in naturally developing character relationships and creating an interesting Wesen world that makes viewers want to learn more.
Verdict
Overall, Grimm is a creative and binge-worthy series for crime-fantasy fans. Despite flaws in later seasons, the charm of the characters and plots based on classic fairy tales make it one of the series worth watching for those who enjoy supernatural stories and investigations.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Creative reinterpretation of classic fairy tales
- +Excellent cast chemistry, especially Nick and Monroe
- +Good balance between main plot and weekly cases
- +Diverse and deep Wesen characters
- +Humor inserted appropriately without clashing with atmosphere
👎 Cons
- −Later seasons drag and become overly complex
- −Some monster effects look dated and unrealistic
- −Some characters disappear or have reduced roles without reason
Top Cast
FAQ
Grimm has 6 seasons with 122 episodes, airing from 2011 to 2017.
Currently, Grimm is available on Netflix and Prime Video (with subscription) or you can buy DVDs online.
Grimm is a crime-fantasy series with both crime cases and supernatural monsters. It's suitable for those who like CSI-style investigations mixed with fairy tale mythology.
The series ends satisfyingly, resolving major plots well. Though not a perfect happy ending, it provides a beautiful closure.
No, because the series explains each Wesen's origin in the episodes. However, knowing the original tales will enhance your enjoyment of the reinterpretations.
