Overview
Copenhagen Cowboy is a 2023 Netflix series from Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn. It occupies a unique middle ground between his early, more conventional crime thrillers (like the Pusher trilogy and Drive) and his later, highly experimental works (such as the 13-hour miniseries Too Old to Die Young). This guide will help you approach the series with the right mindset, understand Refn’s stylistic choices, and avoid common pitfalls that might otherwise ruin the experience. Whether you are a longtime fan of Refn or a newcomer curious about his reputation, this step-by-step tutorial will show you how to get the most out of Copenhagen Cowboy.
Prerequisites
Before diving into the series, it helps to have:
- Basic familiarity with Nicolas Winding Refn’s filmography – not required, but useful for context. If you’ve seen Drive or the Pusher films, you already have a foundation.
- Patience for slow pacing – Refn is known for deliberate, almost hypnotic storytelling. The series moves at a snail’s pace compared to typical crime shows.
- An open mind about genre – This is not a straightforward crime procedural; it blends noir, supernatural elements, and arthouse aesthetics.
- Good headphones or a sound system – Sound design is a critical component of the experience.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Understand the Creator’s Vision
Nicolas Winding Refn is an acquired taste. Over three decades, his work has shifted from gritty crime (Pusher III) to stylized, neon-drenched mood pieces (Only God Forgives). Copenhagen Cowboy represents a balanced point: it retains the genre bones of his earlier work but layers on the slow, atmospheric, and often surreal qualities of his later projects. Before you press play, read a brief summary of Refn’s evolution. This context will help you recognize the deliberate choices in Copenhagen Cowboy – the long takes, the minimalist dialogue, and the haunting electronic score.
Step 2: Set Your Expectations for Pacing and Tone
Unlike many Netflix crime series that rely on rapid plot twists, Copenhagen Cowboy unfolds at a glacial pace. Scenes linger; conversations are sparse. This is by design. Refn wants you to absorb the visual composition, the color palette, and the ambient sounds. Prepare for episodes that feel more like meditative art installations than traditional television. If you go in expecting Money Heist-style energy, you will be frustrated. Instead, think of it as a slow-burn mystery wrapped in a neon dream.
Step 3: Watch with Active Attention to Visual and Audio Details
The series is a masterclass in style. Pay close attention to:
- Lighting and color – Refn bathes scenes in saturated reds, blues, and greens. These colors often reflect the emotional state of characters or signal shifts in power.
- Sound design – The score by Cliff Martinez (a Refn regular) pulses with synth waves. Ambient noises are amplified. Dialogue is sometimes barely audible, forcing you to lean in.
- Facial expressions and body language – Because characters say very little, their physical presence carries the narrative. Watch the cold gaze of the protagonist, Miu.
For maximum immersion, watch in a dark room with minimal distractions. Use a high-quality screen to appreciate the cinematography. Take notes if you like – the series rewards close inspection.
Step 4: Compare to Refn’s Other Works
To fully appreciate where Copenhagen Cowboy sits, watch or recall these Refn projects:
- Pusher trilogy – Fast-paced, dialogue-heavy, naturalistic. This is Refn at his most conventional.
- Drive – A hybrid: stylish but with a clear plot and a lead who speaks just enough. Copenhagen Cowboy shares that minimalism.
- Too Old to Die Young – The extreme end of Refn’s experimental work. If you found that series too slow, know that Copenhagen Cowboy is more accessible (though still deliberately paced).
By recognizing this spectrum, you will see how Copenhagen Cowboy strikes a satisfying middle ground – not as frantic as Pusher, not as impenetrable as Too Old to Die Young.
Step 5: Reflect After Each Episode
Don’t binge. Copenhagen Cowboy benefits from digestion. After each episode (six total), take 10 minutes to write down your impressions: What recurring motifs did you notice? How did the music make you feel? What do you think is real vs. supernatural? This reflective practice aligns with Refn’s intention – the series is meant to be ruminated on, not consumed passively.
Step 6: Revisit Key Scenes
Once you finish the series, go back to scenes that puzzled or resonated with you. The first episode, the underground club sequence, and the final confrontation are especially rich. Slow down and freeze frames. Notice small details – a reflection in a mirror, a background character’s reaction. These are clues to the layers beneath the surface.
Common Mistakes
- Expecting a traditional crime thriller. Copenhagen Cowboy is more about atmosphere than plot. If you approach it like True Detective, you will be disappointed.
- Multitasking while watching. This series demands full attention. Scrolling through your phone will cause you to miss crucial visual cues.
- Judging the first episode too harshly. The series builds slowly. The first episode sets up mood more than story. Give it at least two episodes before deciding.
- Forgetting about sound. Many viewers watch with low volume or on laptop speakers. The score and ambient sounds are half the experience. Use quality headphones or a soundbar.
- Dismissing Refn as pretentious. It’s easy to label his style as style-over-substance, but there is deep thematic exploration of trauma, revenge, and isolation. Give the series a chance to reveal its depth.
Summary
To successfully watch and appreciate Copenhagen Cowboy, you need to adjust your expectations for pace and genre, actively engage with its visual and audio design, and understand its place in Refn’s career. By following this guide – setting the right context, watching attentively, reflecting between episodes, and avoiding common pitfalls – you can unlock the strange, beautiful, and deliberately slow world that Refn has created. The series may be Netflix’s strangest crime show, but that strangeness is exactly the point.