DTF St. Louis review: Jason Bateman, David Harbour, and Linda Cardellinis love triangle sizzles, then fizzles
Mashable
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
HBO's "DTF St. Louis" delivers a darkly comedic miniseries that explores the tangled lives of three friends caught in a deadly love triangle. The show revolves around Jason Bateman's Clark Forrest, a weatherman whose seemingly normal life hides a web of affairs and desires. When his coworker and friend Floyd Smernitch (David Harbour), an ASL interpreter, dies under mysterious circumstances, Clark becomes a prime suspect as the plot unfolds. The series introduces DTF St. Louis, a hookup app for married individuals seeking to "spice things up," which plays a pivotal role in the escalating drama.
The narrative structure of "DTF St. Louis" is both intriguing and frustrating, with time jumps that feel more like an attempt to hide key developments rather than enhance storytelling. As the investigation into Floyd's death progresses, led by Detectives Donoghue Homer (Richard Jenkins) and Special Crimes Officer Jodie Plumb (Joy Sunday), it emerges that Clark was having an affair with Carol Love-Smernitch (Linda Cardellini), Floyd's wife. The love triangle becomes a central theme as the show delves into the fantasies and frustrations of middle-aged characters seeking fulfillment outside their marriages.
Despite its strong ensemble cast—Bateman delivers his signature dry humor, Harbour brings warmth to his role, and Cardellini shines despite limited screen time—the series falters by underdeveloping key plotlines and reducing characters like Floyd and Carol to one-dimensional figures. While the show's premise is bold, its execution often feels conventional, leaving viewers longing for deeper exploration of the complexities it initially promises. For tech-savvy audiences, "DTF St. Louis" offers a glimpse into HBO's ability to blend dark comedy with crime drama, making it a compelling watch on streaming platforms like HBO Max.
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Originally published on Mashable on 2/26/2026