The Serpent

This is a new 8 hour mini-series,  co-produced by the BBC and Netflix.  It tells the real-life story of Charles Sobhraj- the notorious thief, con man, and killer- with an emphasis on the period in the mid-70s when he was active across the so-called ‘hippie trail’ in Asia.

It is a standout crime drama that is especially noteworthy for its top-notch production design.  It conveys a very real feel of that place and time, and immerses you in the middle of it all.  You can sense the dread that would have been felt by those who saw the cold-blooded, ruthless side of the man.  You can feel the frustration of those who were tracking him, trying to get him arrested.  It also paints a compelling picture of how he managed to evade the law for as long as he did. On the flip side, some viewers have found its non-linear narrative to be jarring.

Until now, if someone wanted to know more about Sobhraj, I recommended a somewhat less-known documentary, Sobhraj- Or How To Make Friends With A Serial Killer.  Unlike The Serpent, it covers not only the period when he was most criminally active but also his time in jail in India and Nepal.  If one can look past the rather quirky artistic choices, it is painstakingly researched and presents a very well-rounded view of the man.  While I still recommend this documentary, I think that The Serpent serves as an excellent companion piece to it. 

Here’s a link to the trailer of The Serpent.