''Dark Net'' is an American documentary television series created by Mati Kochavi that explores the

dark web The dark web is the World Wide Web content that exists on ''darknets'': overlay networks that use the Internet but require specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. Through the dark web, private computer networks can communi ...

and

technology Technology is the application of knowledge to reach practical goals in a specifiable and reproducible way. The word ''technology'' may also mean the product of such an endeavor. The use of technology is widely prevalent in medicine, science, ...

, and themes such as biohacking,

cyber-kidnapping Ransomware is a type of malware from cryptovirology that threatens to publish the victim's personal data or permanently block access to it unless a ransom is paid off. While some simple ransomware may lock the system without damaging any files ...

digital warfare Cyberwarfare is the use of cyber attacks against an enemy state, causing comparable harm to actual warfare and/or disrupting vital computer systems. Some intended outcomes could be espionage, sabotage, propaganda, manipulation or economic wa ...

, online cults, pornography addiction, and webcam strippers. The series premiered on January 21, 2016, on

Showtime Showtime or Show Time may refer to: Film * ''Showtime'' (film), a 2002 American action/comedy film * ''Showtime'' (video), a 1995 live concert video by Blur Television Networks and channels * Showtime Networks, a division of Paramount Global w ...

, with the first season consisting of eight episodes. Its second season, consisting of eight episodes, premiered on April 6, 2017.

Production

Showtime greenlit the series in November 2015. It was created by Mati Kochavi, the founder of

Vocativ Vocativ is an American media and technology company founded in 2013 by Mati Kochavi. Vocativ uses proprietary data-mining technology to explore the deep web in order to discover stories and generate original content. In 2017, the company announc ...

, and is co-produced by Part2 Pictures. The series was renewed for a second season in March 2016.

Reception

The series has received generally positive reviews from critics. On

Metacritic Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...

, it has a score of 69 out of 100 based on six reviews. Keith Uhlich of ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...

'' gave it a positive review, calling it "compelling" and wrote, "Contemplation and condemnation, all wrapped up into one, with no easy answers at the end of it all. The fact that ''Dark Net'' never allows you to entirely pin down its perspective keeps the proceedings riveting." Brian Lowry of ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' gave it a more mixed review and wrote, "Other than acknowledging that these subcultures exist, what ''Dark Net'' doesn't do is shed much light on them."

International broadcast

The series premiered in Canada on

The Movie Network Crave (formerly The Movie Network or TMN) is a Canadian premium television network and streaming service owned by the Bell Media subsidiary of BCE Inc. Launched in 1983 as the national service First Choice, early difficulties and a subsequent ...

on January 21, 2016, simultaneous with the American broadcast.

Episodes

Series overview

Season 1 (2016)

Season 2 (2017)

References

External links

* * {{Showtime Network programming 2010s American documentary television series 2016 American television series debuts 2017 American television series endings Dark web Cyborgs in television Showtime (TV network) original programming