When ‘Mindhunter’ first debuted on Netflix in 2017, it quickly stood out as a cerebral and chilling psychological thriller unlike anything else on the platform. Produced by cinematic legend David Fincher, the show explored the creation of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit in the late 1970s.
It dived into the minds of real-life serial killers to understand the “why” behind the horror. Its sleek production, haunting atmosphere, and razor-sharp writing drew in fans of true crime and psychological drama alike. So when Netflix announced in early 2023 that the show would not return for a third season, fans were left shocked and frustrated. Now, years after the announcement, fans still question why Netflix would cancel one of its most critically acclaimed shows.
David Fincher Claims ‘Mindhunter’ Was Canceled Because “Dollars Have To Equal Eyeballs”
The official explanation about ‘Mindhunter’s cancellation given at first was that David Fincher had other projects to focus on, like ‘Mank,’ his Oscar-winning film for Netflix. However, the real reason, as Fincher later confirmed in interviews, came down to something far less artistic: money. Fincher revealed that the show’s production costs were simply too high for the level of viewership it was receiving.
“Dollars have to equal eyeballs,” he said in an interview with Vulture. Unlike other popular Netflix true crime shows like ‘Making A Murderer’ or ‘Tiger King’, ‘Mindhunter’ wasn’t designed for mass consumption. It was slow, methodical, and deeply psychological. Fincher’s meticulous direction, along with the series’ period-accurate sets, costumes, and extensive use of CGI to recreate 1970s America, meant each episode came with a hefty price tag.
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What’s more, Fincher wasn’t willing to compromise the show’s creative vision to appeal to a broader audience. His stance was clear: ‘Mindhunter’ was never meant to be a crowd-pleaser. And unfortunately, art doesn’t always align with Netflix’s increasingly algorithm-driven content strategy. It didn’t help that the show didn’t rely on flashy violence or dramatized depictions of murder.
In an age where true crime series often sensationalize real-life killers, ‘Mindhunter’ was different. It focused on dialogue, moral ambiguity, and the psychological toll on the agents themselves. In fact, the series was often praised for its restraint. It showed just enough to hint at the darkness without reveling in it. However, this same nuance made it harder to market to viewers.
So, Will We Ever Get ‘Mindhunter’ Season 3?
Despite its cancellation, ‘Mindhunter’ remains a beloved cult hit. Fans continue to hope for a return. The cast and crew of the show are also ready to come back if given the opportunity, only adding fuel to the fire. Jonathan Groff, who portrayed Agent Holden Ford, has been vocal about his eagerness to return. “The minute David Fincher says he wants to do another one, I’ll be there in a second,” he stated.
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Holt McCallany (Bill Tench) and Anna Torv (Dr. Wendy Carr) also want the same. There were even concrete plans in place for a third season, which would have explored the BTK Killer and taken the characters into Hollywood to examine how serial killers became part of American pop culture. Still, fans must temper their hopes with reality.
In May 2024, a viral Facebook poster falsely claimed ‘Mindhunter‘ Season 3 was returning. The post was shared over 8,000 times before people realized it was fake. In the meantime, the cast has moved on to other successful projects. Groff has wowed audiences in Broadway’s ‘Just in Time’. Anna Torv starred in HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’, and McCallany recently appeared in ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’.
As for David Fincher, there’s no bad blood with Netflix. On the contrary, his partnership with the streamer remains strong. He has continued producing ambitious projects like ‘Love, Death & Robots’ and ‘The Killer’. Additionally, he’s developing a ‘Chinatown’ prequel and a ‘Squid Game’ spinoff. So, getting a season 3 might be possible but not probable.
