

Meridian
A deserted cliff. Lightning appearing out of nowhere. A mysterious lady all dressed in white. Netflix’s latest original program, “Meridian,” is spooky, confusing, and only 12 minutes long. That’s because although “Meridian” is available on the streaming service worldwide, it was made not for Netflix’s 83 million subscribers, but for algorithms and their programmers. Director Curtis Clark likely had artistic reasons for adding the film’s strange effects. But those elements are primarily there because they tend to trip up video codecs, or software that compresses and decompresses digital video, and other elements of the streaming pipeline.
Insights
Plot Summary
A disgraced detective haunted by a past case is drawn back into the dark underbelly of the city when a series of ritualistic murders begin. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a conspiracy that stretches from the lowest rungs of society to the highest echelons of power. With time running out and his own life on the line, he must confront his demons and find the killer before another innocent soul is sacrificed.
Critical Reception
Meridian received a mixed to negative reception from critics, who found its premise intriguing but its execution flawed. While some praised the performances of the lead actors, many pointed to a convoluted plot and inconsistent pacing as significant drawbacks. Audience scores were similarly divided, with some appreciating the dark atmosphere and thriller elements, while others felt it failed to deliver on its potential.
What Reviewers Say
- The film's dark and gritty atmosphere was often cited as a positive aspect.
- The plot was frequently described as overly complicated and difficult to follow.
- Performances, particularly from the veteran cast, were seen as a highlight despite the script's weaknesses.
Google audience: Audience reviews for Meridian were scarce and varied. Those who enjoyed it often highlighted the suspenseful elements and the performances of its established cast. However, a common criticism from viewers was the convoluted storyline and a lack of clear resolution.
Fun Fact
Despite its release in 2016, 'Meridian' had a very limited theatrical release and is primarily known through its distribution on video-on-demand platforms.
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