Rust Cohle, played by Matthew McConaughey in the series ‘True Detective,’ is arguably one of the best-written characters in 21st-century cinema. The depth of his character is evident in the portrayal where there’s a type of sadness in Rust that is far greater than what an average individual can comprehend. He’s artistic about life, but more so in a cynical way. This is mainly owing to his inner suffering — the death of his young daughter in a car accident. As the show progresses, we are introduced more to his pessimistic outlook towards life, leading him to often idealize the notion that human emotions and consciousness are ‘nature’s mistake.’ Rust doesn’t believe in closure. He thinks that nothing is ever ‘over’; we go on into an eternal loop, with almost identical events and circumstances to be experienced over and over again — fancifully called ‘eternal return.’ He accepts this belief wholeheartedly, and hence exemplifying eternal suffering, which should ideally end in mankind’s extinction. This makes it quite hard for Rust to form a connection with any human he meets. It’s quite unclear if Rust’s state of mind was similar before his daughter’s death or if it has pieces of it etched into his subconscious already.
I‘d like to share a theory that might explain why Rust has these pessimistic views on certain aspects. I think he’s probably constantly trying to mask and channel his suffering into such views, knowing that the pain of losing his daughter is too taxing and is something he might never gain control over. If existence in general, doesn’t matter, then just maybe, his daughter was saved from an eternal return into this ‘programmed and miserable world.’ There’s an aspect to Rust’s philosophy which I personally find fundamentally wrong. Rust believes that although he performs heroic deeds such as solving crimes and putting criminals away, there’s no actual purpose to this since he believes these crimes will eternally return. Rust is smart enough to know that some of his ideals are results of coping mechanisms, and that he shields himself from getting emotionally connected to whatever he does, all the while knowing that there are long-term (good) consequences to his work. A stonewall example of this is the fact that he pursued the case for 17 years and eventually got to the bottom of it, providing himself with closure and possibly saving countless lives. By no means is Rust’s character a good example of a pessimistic soul or a portrayal of someone with nihilistic views. His beliefs are flawed, but beautifully conditioned and the coexistence of his existential doubts and his commitment to making a difference is what makes Rust Cohle possibly the best written character of all time.
Before we reach the end of my short but Lovecraftian-type analysis of Rust Cohle’s character, I’d like to mention a few things about Matthew McConaughey’s performance. I was awestruck at how well he was able to convey his inner demons and suffering through his eyes and mannerisms. A simple shot of him having dinner was an indication of the depth of pain, sorrow, and existential weight, which is conveyed with a single glance. Hence, Matthew McConaughey’s performance in “True Detective” is nothing short of mesmerizing. The subtlety and nuance he brings to the character elevate the viewing experience to a haunting score. This is particularly exemplary because Rust Cohle’s character has multiple layers, begging the question of how Matthew slowly peels off layer by layer, aiding the character’s complex emotional landscape. Finally, I believe that Rust’s character emphasizes the fact that pain doesn’t necessarily make us better, but it sure does make us profound.
I strongly believe that the first season of True Detective is by far the greatest crime thriller piece ever made / written / directed. It’s a slow burner but doesn’t fail to captivate the viewers in an incredibly engrossing narrative. Every scene in the car with conversations between Marty and Cohle shows us how different their characters fundamentally are, and the exchange of ideas and ideals help the viewers really connect with the characters and notice subtle character development as the show progresses. The cinematography is eerie, with a blue/ gray tint, leading up to one of the best climaxes and conclusions ever portrayed on television.
