‘The St. John's Wort’ — A Decent Russian Thriller Undermined by Clichéd Tough-Guy Quotes

‘The St. John's Wort’ offers a unique detective storyline paired with a bleak atmosphere, yet it struggles with shallow character development.

The phrase “Russian police series” has long become a tongue-in-cheek stereotype — dozens of such shows flood major TV channels, most of which are difficult to watch. However, productions on streaming platforms tend to be somewhat better crafted.

On August 11, the streaming platform Premier launched a new project titled ‘The St. John's Wort’ — a detective thriller centered on the hunt for a serial killer in a small provincial town. The first two episodes, provided to the press, are intriguing, despite several plot shortcomings.

‘The St. John's Wort’ Boasts a Strong Detective Plot but an Ambiguous Moral Compass

The synopsis of this project is oddly presented. Many film websites feature the same plot description distributed by Premier’s representatives, but these brief summaries contain significant spoilers. The mysteries described in the first episodes are puzzles for viewers to unravel alongside the characters. Therefore, it’s best to avoid such sources before watching. Here, we’ll keep the overview more general.

Due to a minor offense, metropolitan investigator Oleg Khlebnikov (played by Pavel Chinarev) is reassigned to a small town in the taiga. Shortly after, a schoolboy goes missing. The boy is found days later, unconscious and severely beaten. The investigation into his attacker leads to a chain of murders and an exceptionally unusual killer.

Since ‘The St. John's Wort’ is a serialized story (unlike procedural shows where each episode features a new case), it’s challenging to judge the plot’s coherence from just the first episodes. Still, the detective element is engaging. At times, however, the writers seem lazy, with characters stumbling upon clues or bodies too conveniently. Yet, there are genuinely compelling moments when Khlebnikov’s keen observation unravels mysteries. Unfortunately, some answers are prematurely revealed to the audience.

The series also includes starkly realistic scenes. For example, the police discover a bicycle in the woods, and the investigator repeatedly asks everyone whose it might be. Others ignore the clue, eager to close the case quickly. It remains unclear whether the bicycle’s spotless condition is a production oversight or an important detective detail.

From the second episode onward, the plot increasingly delves into moral dilemmas reminiscent of ‘Dexter.’ The creators draw parallels between human relationships and the animal kingdom, where predators hunt herbivores. The series title is deliberately ambiguous — it references both the plant found at the crime scene and a metaphor suggesting some victims are viewed by the killer as mere beasts.

There is skepticism about whether the show’s moral ambiguity can rival that of Russian series like ‘The Execution’ or the American ‘Dexter.’ Nonetheless, there is hope the creators will deliver surprises.

The Lead Character in ‘The St. John's Wort’ Is Compelling, While Others Feel Two-Dimensional

The opening scene shows police officers relaxing by a lakeside, discussing nature. The line “Who has more reasons to fear? The killer or the victim?” immediately transforms the series into a treasure trove of macho quotes fit for social media pages. One might add a wolf photo with the caption “alpha” to these snippets.

This approach likely aims to highlight provincial issues where ‘street code’ still dominates. However, the creators often lose a sense of balance and basic taste. After all, the 1990s ended long ago, even in the taiga.

But the main flaw isn’t these clichés or the presence of mediocre supporting actors mechanically delivering lines. The biggest disappointment is the lack of depth in most central characters. Their profiles seem sketched in just a few script lines: one is a stereotypically harsh boss, another a dull-witted youth. The notable exception is Alexander Loyé, remembered from the ‘Yeralash’ series and later the show ‘Next’ alongside Alexander Abdulov.

Conversely, the protagonist is intriguing and appears poised for further development. Khlebnikov disregards his personal life and is willing to bend the law to serve justice. He resembles the lead character from ‘Luther’ more convincingly than the official Russian remake titled ‘Klim.’ Sadly, his world is populated by caricatures rather than real people.

‘The St. John's Wort’ Effectively Captures the Bleak Atmosphere of Provincial Life

Some viewers might perceive this element as a drawback or accuse the creators of an excessive fondness for grim visuals. Yet, the show masterfully conveys the depressive vibe of a dying town across all aspects.

The series doesn’t confine itself to just a few locations; it features numerous striking landscapes, all somber and tinged with decay. From old wooden hospital doors and dusty police station offices to barracks and warehouses, everything is portrayed vividly and, unfortunately, realistically. The frequent use of a gray-green filter extinguishes any hint of optimism. Even the characters’ clothing feels authentic, resembling items bought at a local market rather than staged costumes.

At times, the filmmakers’ stylistic choices verge on being overly elaborate. For example, drone shots are abundant, though often unnecessary—a trend seen in Western cinema as well. Some scenes suffer from rough editing, with awkward cuts and characters seemingly swapping positions mid-shot. These are minor flaws, however, in an otherwise immersive gloomy atmosphere.

Based on the initial episodes, ‘The St. John's Wort,’ like many Russian series, is uneven. It features a compelling lead character but flat supporting roles, intriguing plot twists alongside clichéd dialogue. Still, it piques curiosity about what lies ahead, suggesting the creators may have found the right balance.

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