This series is based on the true story of con man Charles Sobhraj (played by Tahar Rahim, who was brilliant as the prisoner in The Mauritanian). In the 70s, he befriended hippies travelling thru Asia, slipped them a solution that made them sick, stole their money and passports, then sometimes killed them. Meanwhile, a Dutch diplomat started an investigation into 2 missing travelers, which eventually led to Sobhraj being captured. This is an English production, which may be one of the reasons for the subdued pace and the off-camera staging of anything horrible. Rahim plays his character with almost no expression, just a quiet intensity. It makes it seem unlikely he was that charismatic or seductive. While the case plays out over 8 episodes, it could have 6 or 7 if the tension had been tighter. As it is, the story is fascinating, but the “execution” could have used more umph. (Mostly in English, but some foreign-language segments have subtitles) 
(3 / 5)
