Friends of humorous crime stories should watch a movie on Netflix that is only available on the streaming platform for a few more days. According to MeinMMO author Christoph Waldboth, this film is one of the best works of the brothers Joel and Ethan Coen.
Which movie is it about? We’re talking about Fargo, a movie by Joel and Ethan Coen, released in theaters in 1996. It is a mix of crime and black comedy, with slight thriller elements. You can still watch the film on Netflix for a few more days.
The film takes place in the deep winter of 1987 and tells the story of a criminal case happening in the Midwest of the USA. A car salesman named Jerry desperately needs money and thus orchestrates the kidnapping of his own wife. He aims to extort ransom from his father-in-law and pocket it himself.
The plan is pure theory and quickly goes awry. Immediately, there are several dead bodies around the city of Fargo, prompting the police to spring into action. The investigator Marge Gunderson, who is currently pregnant, takes charge of the case.
At the same time, car salesman Jerry becomes increasingly nervous, his story more unbelievable, and his accomplices, the kidnappers, start to lose patience. Typical of the Coen brothers, the situation escalates throughout the film and takes on absurd turns, including a certain brutality toward the end.
A true story… or?
What does MeinMMO author Christoph think about Fargo? The Coen brothers have delivered some of the best American films of the last 40 years, including No Country For Old Men, The Big Lebowski, and Barton Fink. Fargo is also among them.
Even in the opening credits, the two filmmakers pull a fast one. It states that the story is based on a true incident. As it turned out some time after the film’s release, that was a lie – or let’s say, a joke that fits well with the rest of the film.
Because Fargo never takes itself too seriously despite the serious premise. The criminal case is lightened by quirky characters with deeply human problems. Marge not only has to deal with the investigation, but also with her pregnancy and her husband, who keeps her busy – for instance, with his stamp collection.
The film portrays a city and its inhabitants in a very warm and loving way. Especially Marge uses her open and friendly manner to talk to suspects. She is down-to-earth and knows what counts in life, unlike the bumbling criminals who are utterly unqualified for their job.
Fargo manages the feat of being both funny and thrilling, while also provoking thought. The beautiful and icy images of the snow-covered small town, combined with chilling music, create a dense atmosphere.
Among the highlights of Fargo is certainly the performance of lead actress Frances McDormand as Marge. For this role, she received the Oscar in 1997.
On Rotten Tomatoes, critics are also very enthusiastic overall. Fargo has an average score of 95% from 110 reviews. Over 100,000 users give it 92%.
How long is Fargo still available to stream? Those who don’t know the film yet but want to catch up must act quickly. Fargo will already disappear from Netflix on March 17, 2026. For those who cannot get enough after watching, the series of the same name is recommended, which has received five seasons since 2014.
It tells new stories with fresh characters, all set in the world of the original film. Perfect for fans. However, those who would rather engage with German-language investigations should take the advice of MeinMMO editor Niko Hernes: A German crime film looks like perfect entertainment for Boomers, sweetening my evenings on Netflix as a Gen Z
