Netflix's Danish Thriller: A Review of Secrets We Keep

With only six episodes and an elaborate visual production, Secrets We Keep arrived on Netflix offering much more than a conventional crime story.

Created by Ingeborg Topsøe and directed by Per Fly, the Danish miniseries is set in one of Copenhagen's wealthiest neighborhoods and subtly and disturbingly explores the backstage of elite life, exposing the inequalities they prefer to hide.

Official Series Trailer:

Danish Social Context: The series directly addresses real issues in Danish society, especially regarding immigration and domestic work.

In Denmark, as in many European countries, immigrant workers often face precarious conditions and social invisibility, despite performing essential functions in the daily life of upper-class families. Additionally, social inequality and structural racism are still sensitive and present topics, though not often openly discussed.

The story begins with the disappearance of Ruby, a young Filipino babysitter, shortly after subtly asking for help from her neighbor Cecilie. As the authorities show no interest in investigating, the responsibility for the search falls on Cecilie herself and Angel, her babysitter, also Filipino.

Meanwhile, rookie officer Aicha tries to continue the investigation, facing institutional obstacles and local community indifference. The plot unfolds amid growing tensions and deafening silences, revealing a context where the problem is not only the disappearance itself, but everything it represents: social inequality, structural racism, and an elite accustomed to looking the other way.

A Pause for Reflection and Criticism

More than discovering a culprit, the miniseries aims to show why certain crimes are ignored. Secrets We Keep soberly delves into delicate topics such as inhumane treatment of immigrant workers and elitism masked as good manners.

The narrative is conducted realistically, without dramatic exaggerations or easy solutions. The discomfort that arises throughout the series is not gratuitous. It is precisely this discomfort that provokes reflection.

One of the strengths of the series lies in its female protagonists. Cecilie (Marie Bach Hansen), initially resigned to her sheltered world, undergoes an ethical awakening throughout the episodes. Angel (Excel Busano) and Ruby (Donna Levkovski), in turn, represent the most invisible segment of society but are portrayed with humanity and quiet strength.

The character Katarina (Danica Ćurčić) stands out by representing the colder and indifferent side of the elite. Her presence functions almost as a constant reminder of how power can be exercised with subtlety and cruelty.

The setting is another interesting narrative resource here. The seaside mansions, elegant dinners, and meticulously maintained gardens create an image of perfection that directly contrasts with the tension and injustices that unfold behind these facades.

Per Fly’s firm direction, combined with clean and precise cinematography, reinforces this contrast. The discreet soundtrack and restrained editing contribute to an atmosphere of silent oppression.

Series Pace and Predictability

Despite many successes, the miniseries also has some flaws. There are moments when the pace slows too much and the plot becomes predictable, losing part of its impact. Although the main cast performs well, the rest of the performances end up going unnoticed.

Some dialogues and behaviors that replicate racist attitudes can cause discomfort. Although they are part of the critique built by the series, they are not always presented in a way that encourages deeper reflection.

The Unsettling Collective Silence

More than Ruby’s whereabouts, the series’ big mystery lies in the choice of many characters not to act. In an environment where maintaining appearances is more important than doing the right thing, silence becomes part of the system.

The series invites viewers to consider to what extent we all, in some way, are complicit simply by staying silent in certain situations.

Secrets We Keep received positive reviews, albeit with some criticisms. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an 82% approval rating among 50 critics, who praise the direction and performances, especially of the female characters. On Metacritic, the miniseries reaches 74 points, indicating generally favorable reviews, highlighting the realism and social critique, despite a slower pace and few twists.

Among the audience, on IMDb, the series has a 7.2/10 rating with over 3,000 reviews. Viewers appreciate the character development and sober tone, but some find the pace slow and the ending predictable. The normalization of racism in some dialogues may cause discomfort but is part of the series’ proposal to provoke reflection.

Overall, Secrets We Keep is seen as a mature production that prioritizes social debate, even if not everyone appreciates its more restrained style.

Secrets We Keep is a suspense series that effectively captures the viewer’s attention. Even though the final "plot twist" is somewhat predictable, the narrative skillfully builds tension. The series scatters clues along the way, some quite evident, yet we find ourselves hoping that maybe the outcome isn’t exactly what we already suspect. It is somewhat like real life when we prefer not to see the obvious because it is too uncomfortable.

The script succeeds in immersing us in the characters' anguish, making us share their anxiety, pain, and desperate search for answers. There are moments of real tension, and the sense of urgency is well constructed.

Additionally, the series stands out by incorporating important social critiques. One of them pertains to how we raise our children in a hyper-connected world, a theme increasingly gaining space in contemporary productions. A good parallel can be drawn with the series Adolescence, which also addresses the consequences of excessive information and exposure to the internet from an early age. In both productions, we see how sex and personal relationships become confusing and even harmful when young people are not supported in dealing with this digital universe that is so easily accessible to them. The line between reality and fantasy blurs, and the result is often loneliness, guilt, or repression.

Another strong point is the depiction of structural racism and class inequalities. The way the elite deal with problems affecting those outside their social circle is almost caricatured, not by exaggeration, but by the coldness and indifference with which serious situations are treated.

The series subtly but incisively exposes this divide, showing how certain lives are worth less in a system where power is concentrated in the hands of a few.

Secrets We Keep is a production that bets on a more restrained and mature approach, avoiding easy entertainment to provoke important questions. It doesn't offer ready-made answers nor relies on spectacular twists, but it stands out precisely for how it connects mystery and social criticism in a balanced way.

Even with some pacing stumbles, it is a miniseries that makes its presence felt in Netflix's catalog and addresses important themes. If you enjoy suspense and reflecting a little on how current society functions, this series is for you!

Secrets We Keep is available on Netflix. With just over three hours of runtime, you can binge the entire story in an afternoon.

- Original Title: Reservatet

- International Title: Secrets We Keep

- Release Year: 2024

- Platform: Netflix

- Country: Denmark

- Creator: Ingeborg Topsøe

- Director: Per Fly

- Episodes: 6

- Total Duration: Approximately 3h20

- Genre: Drama, Suspense, Social Mystery

- Main Cast:

- Marie Bach Hansen as Cecilie

- Excel Busano as Angel

- Donna Levkovski as Ruby

- Danica Ćurčić as Katarina

- Jason Hendil-Forssell as Martin

- Nanna Cecilie Bang as Aicha