DTF St Louis is a super weird crime show with a soft underbelly

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**Contains spoilers from episode 1 of DTF St Louis.**

It’s common for new TV shows to feel familiar – like variations of stories we’ve already seen. Even if they aren’t direct sequels, prequels, or remakes, they often have a certain vibe that reminds you of something else.

It’s becoming harder and harder to find truly original stories, especially in crime dramas. However, familiar storylines can still be really good if they’re done well – and Mare of Easttown is a perfect example of that.

DTF St. Louis, a darkly funny murder mystery now showing on HBO and Sky Atlantic, feels original and doesn’t seem constrained by previous shows in the genre.

The new limited series is created, written, and directed by Steve Conrad, known for films like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and The Pursuit of Happyness. It stars Jason Bateman, of Ozark, and David Harbour as coworkers Clark Forrest, a weatherman, and Floyd Smernitch, a sign language interpreter. It’s a unique pairing for a crime series, to say the least – one commenter even joked about Bateman showcasing Missouri’s quirks!

Floyd and Clark become friends after Floyd saves Clark from a dangerous accident while Clark was covering a tornado. Their bond deepens, and Clark eventually trusts Floyd enough to reveal a difficult secret, despite being married with children.

He’s started using a dating app specifically for casual encounters – it’s called DTF St. Louis, which stands for ‘down to have sex.’ If you’ve seen the show Jersey Shore, you’ll probably recognize the phrase. He subtly suggests that Floyd, who is married (his wife, Carol, is played by Linda Cardellini), try one too.

After a moment of uncertainty, Floyd goes along with Clark’s plan (though a Duane Reade bag isn’t seen). Shortly after, he’s found dead in a pool house, sitting near a canned Bloody Mary and, strangely, some gay pornography.

Curiouser and curiouser.

I’m constantly impressed by how DTF St. Louis keeps me guessing. Honestly, the affair between Clark and Carol felt inevitable – you could just see the connection when they met, even at something casual like his cornhole party. But what really got me was Floyd knowing about it! He seems so unassuming, it’s easy to overlook him. And the show is so clever with how it plays with time and point of view. That reveal, delivered so casually and in sign language no less, was just brilliant television. It was a truly fantastic moment!

The way music is used in this scene is masterful. Ozzy Osbourne’s version of ‘Sunshine of Your Love’ perfectly captures the intense attraction between Clark and Carol, as well as the shock and disbelief Clark feels after being arrested on live television. It’s a surprisingly dramatic moment – proving that even seemingly mundane things, like the weather, can’t compare.

Could he actually have killed his friend? Even though everything suggests Clark is guilty – like the security footage of his bike and the affair – this show has already proven it doesn’t follow typical patterns, so it’s possible the evidence is misleading.

The show isn’t just strange when it comes to its main puzzle. Throughout the four episodes available for review, you can expect plenty of oddball moments and unrealistic conversations. The characters also have some pretty unusual jobs – for example, one character used to be married to a fortune teller, and another encounters a roller dancer who’s also a hypnotist.

Okay, I have to say, a detective who’s openly sex-positive? That’s a new one, and honestly, I’m here for it! But the best part? Floyd’s love of hip-hop dancing! It’s such a fun, unexpected detail. And seriously, I never knew David Harbour could move like that – he’s surprisingly graceful!

Clark and Carol have a playful, unconventional sexual relationship, which they jokingly call “dream meetings.” They fulfill each other’s unique fantasies – for example, Clark pretends to be a sex robot and is “unboxed,” or Carol engages in intimate acts while pretending to work, like answering the door for deliveries. They manage to combine intimacy with a sense of playful role-playing.

Her initial offer – “You can do anything with me. You’ll never have to worry about sharing anything” – initially sounds like a tired, predictable fantasy. It feels like the setup for a story about someone having an affair with a friend’s wife, and her being completely open to it. But the situation quickly proves to be more complex than that.

DTF St Louis doesn’t shy away from difficult or unsettling themes, acknowledging that life can be harsh and disappointing, but it also reveals a surprising tenderness. Like Conrad’s previous writing, this work focuses on characters who’ve taken stock of their lives and are seeking something new – whether it’s more fulfillment or simply a change of pace.

These little things often come out when things are calm: Floyd worries his clothes are too big and tries to lose weight, and he tries to bond with his withdrawn stepson by attending therapy sessions with him.

This need for something extra could show up as an emotional or physical affair with someone who truly gets you, without any criticism – this story is notably free of judgment. It could also mean taking up a new hobby, like a middle-aged man embracing hip-hop dance even if he’s not in great shape.

Ignoring the more sensational parts of DTF St. Louis, the show explores relatable issues through its unusual characters. It asks questions like: does a sense of dissatisfaction with life come before a failing marriage, or does a failing marriage cause that dissatisfaction?

The show subtly challenges viewers to think about relationships, purpose, change, and personal development, all while portraying the often-strange behavior of people living in an outwardly typical Midwestern town. Despite the odd things people say and do, the show’s core themes remain powerful and thought-provoking.

But as one gentleman puts it: “Nobody’s normal, they just look that way from across the street.”

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DTF St Louis will debut in the US on March 1 on HBO Max and in UK on Sky and NOW from 2 March.

Authors

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor at TopMob, where she writes about TV dramas and comedies. Before that, she was a TV writer for Digital Spy and a content writer for Mumsnet. She has a degree and a postgraduate diploma in English Studies.

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2026-03-02 07:08