Is Netflix’s The Breakthrough based on a true story?

Netflix’s latest Swedish crime drama, titled “The Breakthrough“, has swiftly become popular among viewers. In just its first week (debuting on January 7), the series has already climbed to rank among the top 10 most-watched shows. This success can undoubtedly be attributed to the intense, captivating narrative that revolves around a woman and a child’s murder.

As a captivated viewer, I’m drawn into an engrossing limited series that unravels the tale of two individuals: eight-year-old Adnan (Marley Norstad) and fifty-six-year-old Gunilla (Anna Azcárate), who tragically lost their lives in daylight, back in 2004, in the city of Linköping, Sweden.

Although investigators tirelessly worked on solving the case for 16 long years, they repeatedly encountered roadblocks and could not find the culprit. However, this all changed when genealogist Per (Mattias Nordkvist) managed to gather sufficient evidence that ultimately led to the identification of the murderer.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve found myself questioning whether the gripping tale of the double murder and its subsequent events in this series are inspired by true events.

The initial card indicates that a murder investigation commenced on October 19th, 2004, and it turned out to be the second largest criminal investigation in Sweden’s history. However, one may wonder if this was merely an ominous introduction for a dramatic narrative or an actual account of events. Here are the verified details.

Is Netflix's The Breakthrough based on a true story?

Is Netflix’s The Breakthrough a true story?

Indeed, as reported by Netflix’s Tudum, this true-crime drama presents a fictional narrative that was inspired by the 2004 double murder of Mohammed Ammouri and Anna-Lena Svensson.

16 years ago, a chilling mystery remained unsolved within the gaming world I frequent. That is, until a groundbreaking technique in genetic research traced an ancestor’s DNA, finally cracking open that cold case and bringing it to resolution.

In a subsequent explanation, Tudum made it clear that Netflix’s adaptation of the story was based on the book penned by journalist Anna Bodin and genealogist Peter Sjölund, whose account of the events served as its foundation.

In a recent statement, screenwriter Oskar Söderlund shared his thoughts about the book “The Breakthrough”: “Upon reading it, I was struck by the powerful human stories that lay beneath this extensive murder investigation. These included tenacious police officers determined not to give up, family members yearning for answers, and ultimately, the genealogist who provided the resolution.

Amidst this hardship, some individuals find it challenging to overcome and their entire lives bear the scars of the events that transpired.

The Breakthrough is available to stream now on Netflix.

2025-01-10 19:49