DTF St. Louis – Review | HBO Series

DTF ST. LOUIS on HBO Max is a new Dark Comedy miniseries with a murder mystery at the heart of its plot. With just seven episodes, this HBO Original wins thanks to the trio of Jason Bateman, David Harbour, and Linda Cardellini – plus the amazing supporting cast. Read our DTF St. Louis series review here!

DTF ST. LOUIS is a new HBO Original limited series with seven episodes. I absolutely loved how just when I felt I had a handle on a character, something new would come along to broaden my view of them. It’s very relatable, as we are often (well, most of us) very quick to judge. However, until we’ve walked the proverbial mile in someone else’s shoes, we really don’t know what they’re dealing with.

In DTF St. Louis, you may think you know these characters. Actually, you might even be right. And then another detail is revealed. Nothing that necessarily changes your opinion of them or their behavior, but certainly enough to keep you intrigued and guessing. Since this is a dark comedy with a murder mystery, that “keeps you guessing” part is key to keeping viewers coming back week after week.

Continue reading our DTF St. Louis series review below. Find episode 1 on HBO and HBO Max from March 1, 2026.

From midlife crisis to murder?

DTF St. Louis is a limited series focused on three characters. Two men (Jason Bateman and David Harbour) and one woman (Linda Cardellini). One is married to the woman, and the other is about to have an affair with her. Also, the two men work together and are becoming friends. Best friends, even.

However, the woman is fighting her own battles as well. Battles that include both men in very different ways. And all is part of trying to build a better life for her son. A son from a previous relationship, I should add.

On its surface, DTF St. Louis may look like a drama featuring a love triangle between three adults in their middle-aged boredom. However, it’s essentially about the nature of human relationships. And also – which is why we cover it here at Heaven of Horror – it’s about how a midlife crisis can result in one of them ending up dead.

Is it murder? And if so, who is the killer and why did they kill?

This HBO series won me over through its cast

I’ll gladly admit that most productions (movies or series) can win me over with a great cast, but to keep me watching, the actual story and production also need to be on point. And I will get to those behind the camera next. However, I also have to acknowledge that a bad (or just wrong) cast can ruin even the best story, which is why I’m focusing on this amazing cast now.

With DTF St. Louis, we are absolutely blessed to have Jason Bateman (Black Rabbit), David Harbour (Violent Night), and Linda Cardellini (No Good Deed) as the core trio leading the plot. As this is a dark comedy, it is paramount that these actors have comedic timing.

And not in the laugh-out-loud manner, but more to make you go “yikes!” and keep you engaged, when something a tad weird happens.

Well, okay, maybe more than just a “tad” weird at times.

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And again, what really makes DTF St. Louis work so well is that just when you may think one of the characters is very unlikable, something new will be revealed. At least, this was my experience. Before the end of episode 3, I felt I could relate to all three of them, and though they all make mistakes and do wrong by others, they are essentially “just” people trying to get by.

What made this HBO limited series even better was the absolutely stellar supporting cast. Everyone in a key supporting role could easily be cast in a leading role, but for DTF St. Louis, they have less screen time. However, with a huge impact, obviously. I am thinking of especially Richard Jenkins, Joy Sunday, and Peter Sarsgaard, though everyone in this cast delivers a solid performance.

Start watching the DTF St. Louis series on HBO Max

This 2026 HBO Original limited series DTF St. Louis comes from creator Steven Conrad. Previously, Steven Conrad created the Prime Original series Patriot (2015-2018), but I recognize his name much more from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013). Simply because I absolutely adore that movie in a feel-good way. Also, he wrote Gore Verbinski‘s dark comedy The Weather Man (2005).

Steven Conrad is the creator, writer, director, showrunner, and executive producer of DTF St. Louis. Also on board as executive producers are its stars Jason Bateman and David Harbour, to name just a few. There are many, and with amazing resumes, but I’ll let you dive into those on IMDb for yourself, if you want to.

This review is based on the first four episodes, which we were given screeners of. Had I been given all seven episodes, then I would absolutely have binge-watched the entire thing, so this is a very solid recommendation. The series finale comes out on HBO on April 12, 2026. On HBO, it comes out just ahead of the long-awaited season 3 premiere of Euphoria.

DTF St. Louis premieres on HBO and HBO Max on March 1, 2026.

Details

Writer & Director: Steven Conrad
Cast: Jason Bateman, David Harbour, Linda Cardellini, Richard Jenkins, Joy Sunday, Arlan Ruf, Peter Sarsgaard, and Chris Perfetti.