Review: “Small Crimes” starring Game of Thrones’ Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Small Crimes, the recently released Netflix drama starring Game Of Thrones’ Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, might not have been written by A Song of Ice and Fire creator George R.R. Martin, but it’s certainly a story Martin would appreciate. Set in a nameless mid-Western town, Small Crimes takes place in a world populated with morally bankrupt characters who knock each other off at a rate that would put the Red Wedding to shame. Coster-Waldau plays Joe, an ex-cop recently released from prison. He tries to stay clean for about five minutes before falling into old habits.

Image Credit: Netflix

Joe is more animated than Jaime Lannister — his energy level borders on the maniacal. He’s also a huge screw-up. And while Jaime Lannister certainly has committed his fair share of crimes (throwing a child out of a window, for starters), he’s got nothing on Joe. Joe murders, manipulates others into murdering for him, and leaves a startling wake of destruction in his path.

Joe’s only redeeming quality is his desire to do right by his two daughters, whom he is forbidden from seeing. His desperate hope to be part of their lives fuels his actions. It’s obvious to everyone but him that Joe would be a terrible influence on his daughters, but as they say, love is blind. Or self-deluded.

Image Credit: Netflix

Despite lacking a cast of A-List celebrities, Small Crimes boasts a talented supporting cast that works well with Coster-Waldau. Robert Forster is particularly strong as Joe’s father, a man in slow denial about how valuable his son could be to his granddaughters’ futures. Gary Cole might be best known to fans as the smarmy Bill Lumberg from Office Space, but here he plays a morally bankrupt police lieutenant reveling in pushing Joe back into the world of crime Joe halfheartedly wants to leave.

Small Crimes has a general air of moral rot that would feel right at home on Game of Thrones. It’s fun to see Coster-Waldau in this kind of manic role, and it makes you curious about what other parts the Danish actor could play. This is a small film, but one not to be missed. Marvel at this dark romp through the criminal underbelly of a small town, and enjoy watching Coster-Waldau play in this sandbox.