Tue Mar 10 00:40:00 UTC 2026: # “DTF St. Louis” on HBO: A Dark Comedy Mired in Misery and Murder

The Story

The new HBO miniseries “DTF St. Louis,” created by Steven Conrad, attempts to blend dark comedy with a story of middle-aged discontent and marital strife. The series stars David Harbour as Floyd, a stalled-out suburban dad who discovers a dating app for married individuals seeking extramarital affairs. He is drawn into this world by Clark (Jason Bateman), a TV weatherman seemingly more successful but equally unhappy. The show takes a dark turn early on when a character is found murdered, leading to an investigation by two detectives (Richard Jenkins and Joy Sunday). The review critiques the show’s tonal inconsistencies, gratuitous plot devices, and ultimately, its failure to make compelling characters out of seemingly banal lives.

Key Points

  • David Harbour stars as Floyd, a dissatisfied husband.
  • The series is created by Steven Conrad, known for “The Pursuit of Happyness” and “Patriot.”
  • The plot revolves around the “DTF St. Louis” dating app and its impact on marriages.
  • A murder occurs early in the series, driving the narrative.
  • The review criticizes the show’s tonal inconsistencies and reliance on the murder plot.

Key Takeaways

  • “DTF St. Louis” struggles to effectively blend dark comedy with serious themes of marital dissatisfaction.
  • The use of a murder plot feels forced and unnecessary, detracting from the potential exploration of the characters’ inner lives.
  • The series fails to make its characters compelling, even with the addition of a murder mystery.
  • The review suggests that the show’s premise might have been better suited for a true-crime podcast format.
  • Conrad’s writing shines when focusing on the malaise of midlife, but the plot distracts from this strength.

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