The German series Murder Mindfully heralded the Halloween festivities with its debut on Netflix on October 31, 2024. This intriguing show interweaves themes of homicide with the practice of mindfulness. Starring Tom Schilling as Bjorn Diemel, a mafia attorney seeking a healthier work-life balance through mindfulness classes, the narrative takes an unexpected turn as his journey toward a calmer lifestyle leads him down a dark path of murder and mob leadership.
This 8-part dark comedy crime series delves into thrilling elements as Bjorn navigates new methods to cope—culminating in the chilling act of murder and the art of evading consequences. He notably eliminates two formidable figures in the criminal underworld, ultimately assuming control of the mafia while embracing the very mindfulness exercises he once attended to gain focus and tranquility.
Inspired by Karsten Dusse’s bestseller of the same name, Murder Mindfully also features performances from Emily Cox, Peter Jordan, Sascha Alexander Gersak, Murathan Muslu, and other talents.
Warning: This article reveals significant plot details for Murder Mindfully. Proceed with caution.
Bjorn’s Unraveled Murders in Murder Mindfully
In Murder Mindfully, Bjorn faces the dual challenges of being a mafia lawyer while striving to be a family man to his wife and daughter, Emily. Encouraged by his wife to attend mindfulness classes, Bjorn initially approaches the idea with skepticism. However, as the series progresses, he gradually incorporates mindfulness into his daily routine.
The show’s title is a reflection of Bjorn’s peculiar approach to murder—executing his deeds with a “mindful”perspective. He rationalizes the killings, justified by a desire to reclaim moments with his daughter, directly confronting clients like the mafia boss Dragan, whose existence poses a threat to that goal. Utilizing the mindfulness techniques he’s learned, Bjorn’s actions culminate in killing those who obstruct his life with Emily.
Throughout his transformation into a mindful yet dangerous figure, Bjorn remains composed in precarious situations, even when deceiving law enforcement or fellow mobsters. His newfound zen-like demeanor enables him to handle the most dangerous of circumstances, including the grim task of body disposal and extricating himself from precarious predicaments.
In the finale of Murder Mindfully, Bjorn settles into his new office space above a daycare center, continuing his mafia dealings as usual. He employs makeshift codes to communicate with his associates by utilizing newspapers marked with the distinctive thumbprint of their leader to validate commands. Yet, his methods come at a high cost; he now possesses two severed thumbs—those of Dragan and Boris.
Bjorn has successfully executed the murders of two rival mob bosses and has mustered enough cunning to remain elusive from law enforcement. Inspector Nicole has yet to gather tangible evidence tying him to Dragan’s assassination.
How Bjorn Transformed into a Killer
The evolution of Bjorn from a notorious mafia lawyer to a cold-blooded killer was a blend of accident and intention. While he never aimed to take a life, his conscious decisions led to dire consequences.
It all began with Bjorn’s role in cleaning up after Dragan, his high-profile client. In a video that surfaced online, Bjorn was shown setting Igor, a rival mob figure, ablaze and subsequently brutally beating him to death. To avoid legal repercussions, he urged Dragan to go into hiding, fulfilling the role of getaway driver—though he was reluctant.
Prior to the meeting, Bjorn planned a family weekend at Dragan’s lake house with Emily, and in an attempt to manage the parallel demands, he made an agonizing choice. Upon arrival at the destination, guided by the principles of presence instilled in him by the mindfulness class, Bjorn abandoned Dragan in the trunk of his car—ultimately leading to the latter’s suffocation.
Did Bjorn Kill Boris in Murder Mindfully?
In the process of delivering a package, he coordinates the timing with a drone for surveillance at their meeting point. When Boris’ associates sabotage the drone, Bjorn convinces him that footage exists elsewhere, causing Boris to contemplate hiding, allowing Bjorn to offer him the same fate he inflicted on Dragan—hiding him in the trunk of a vehicle.
Though the specifics of Boris’s demise remain largely unshown, the implication is clear: Bjorn replicates his earlier method, leaving behind yet another severed thumb as proof of his dark evolution.
Does the Police Believe Dragan is Dead?
Inspector Nicole, while momentarily distracted by Bjorn’s alibi, remains invested in the case. Her investigation points to the likelihood of Dragan’s death, fueled by the discovery of a severed finger adorned with his ring at a nearby restaurant, alongside finding his belt in a nearby lake.
As Murder Mindfully reaches its end, Nicole examines the gathered evidence. Among the items, an interactive toy bird belonging to Emily offers a cryptic message that hints at a confession when pressed:
“I….and I’ve never felt more free…ha ha ha.”
With the toy damaged, much of the confession is obscured, leading Nicole to ponder whether it indeed strengthens the case against Bjorn, or if it’s merely a disjointed clue.
Catch all eight episodes of Murder Mindfully, available exclusively on Netflix.
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