Issa López, a prominent figure in the film and TV industry, has recently garnered significant attention for her work on the fourth season of HBO’s “True Detective,” subtitled “Night Country.” Known for her 2017 horror film “Tigers Are Not Afraid,” which made IndieWire’s list of the 200 Greatest Horror Movies of All Time, López was a fresh name to many U.S. viewers when she took on this high-profile project. The new season stars Jodie Foster and Kali Reis and is set in the eerie, sunless Arctic Circle in Alaska.
López expressed her initial surprise when HBO approached her for the project. “We [Mexicans] don’t get to do the shows on HBO — especially the geeky ones,” she remarked. During her speech at the IndieWire Honors, where she received the Auteur Award, López shared her excitement about being a “Mexican terror director” given such a unique opportunity. She emphasized the power of storytelling, stating, “When a story is true and powerful, it can change the world and us.”
Her storytelling in “Night Country” has been widely praised, particularly for its complex female characters and the chilling, sunless setting. Jodie Foster, one of the stars, noted that she had never worked with a director quite like López. However, López did have some reservations initially. “There are no Mexicans in the Arctic, no Mexicans for a reason,” she humorously pointed out. Yet, she was inspired by the original “True Detective” series created by Nic Pizzolatto, whose work she deeply admires.
López’s admiration for Pizzolatto’s original series is evident in “Night Country,” which contains numerous callbacks to the first season. Despite this, Pizzolatto has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the new season. He described it as “disrespectful” and distanced himself from it, stating he had no input on the story. His comments, shared on Instagram and later deleted, have sparked controversy.
In response to Pizzolatto’s criticism, López has remained gracious. She told Vulture, “I wrote this with profound love for the work he made and love for the people that loved it. It is a reinvention, and it is different, but it’s done with the idea of having fun and sharing feelings and thoughts.” She acknowledged that every storyteller has a unique relationship with their creations and that Pizzolatto is entitled to his opinions.
Despite the criticism, López has received strong support from her colleagues and the industry. HBO’s head of drama, Francesca Orsi, specifically invited her to pitch an idea for the fourth season, which eventually became “Night Country.” Both Foster and Reis have praised López’s collaborative approach. Reis described her as a “powerhouse” who commands respect and knows exactly what she wants as a director.
“Night Country” has premiered to positive reviews, with a 93 percent critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This is the highest rating since the first season, which was also created by Pizzolatto. The new season’s focus on indigenous women and its eerie, sunless setting have been particularly well-received.
López’s journey from writing for telenovelas in Mexico to directing a major HBO series is a testament to her talent and the power of storytelling. Her work on “Night Country” not only pays homage to Pizzolatto’s original vision but also brings her unique perspective to the series. As she continues to navigate the industry, López remains committed to telling powerful stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.
