This Overlooked Crime Show Is What Would Happen if 'Ghost' Turned Into a Murder Investigation

The Italian series The Red Door is a project that combines elements of Scandinavian detective stories and Italian sentimental dramas.

The main character is a ghost unable to leave this world. From the afterlife, he is forced to help his wife and fellow police officers investigate his own murder.

It's Ghost with Patrick Swayze, reimagined as a dark, noir thriller. And although the series hasn't reached a wider audience yet, it deserves to be seen by more people.

What Is 'The Red Door' About?

Leonardo is an honest police officer in Trieste. He is investigating a new drug and trying to find out who is behind the shipments. An anonymous source tells him where to catch one of the suppliers.

His colleagues don't believe him, so Leonardo decides to follow up on the tip alone. He arrests the criminal on the roof of a building but is shot and killed at the last moment. After he dies, Leonardo discovers that he has become a ghost and can't depart because he has unfinished business.

Leonardo is struck by a vision: the man who killed him is coming for his wife, Anna, from whom he had decided to separate. The man resolves to prevent her death at all costs and help his colleagues with the investigation.

With Its Mix of Detective & Mystical Plots, 'The Red Door' Is One of the Most Interesting Crime Projects of Recent Years

The central dramatic line is reminiscent of the movie Ghost, starring Patrick Swayze, but The Red Door blends sentimental drama with intricate detective fiction. The dark mood of Scandinavian noir perfectly suits the plot about a ghost trying to prevent his wife's murder.

This aesthetic blend works both ways: viewers feel comfortable watching the show because much of it is familiar, yet the story remains fresh thanks to its Italian flair.

Beneath the abundance of tears and decibel-level screaming lies an intimate story that speaks to viewers about difficult subjects – the loss of a loved one and the search for life's meaning. Anna experiences the former, while Leonardo endlessly searches for the latter.

The Red Door is a TV series that has unfairly remained in the shadows, yet it is one of the most unexpected and touching crime dramas in recent years.

What Did Viewers Think of 'The Red Door'?

• On IMDb, The Red Door scored 7.1/10.