Carl isn’t a happy cop. He’s responsible for the death of a colleague, another has been crippled, his wife has left him and his step-kid is a dip shit. And Carl’s been demoted to look into cold cases with a Muslim, Assad (Fares Fares), who makes ultra-bitter coffee. No wonder he’s grim-faced all the way through, but Carl has attitude to begin with – he’s Denmark’s version of Dirty Harry without the body count.

The disappearance case he’s supposed to close and file doesn’t feel right to him. We see missing person Marete’s (Sonja Richter) predicament unfurl slowly, whilst a clock ticks slowly.

THE KEEPER OF LOST CAUSES is a taut thriller from Denmark which owes a lot to Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (listen for the sly reference). The film has a similar cold palette with outsiders let down by the system, a grim-faced hero, and a twisting plot that is hard to believe, but is done so well, you go with it.

This is director Mikkel Nøgaard’s style and it’s no surprise it is written by Nikolaj Arcel, the author of The Girl with Dragon Tattoo series.

Nikolai Lie Kaas is great as Karl, and he’s worked with Sonja Richter before, who does just as well as Marete. Fares Fares is a great choice and a testament to colour blind casting. There is all of one reference to his nationality, and his performance is so good.

In fact, all the actors are on the mark. A good thriller needs tension and this one left my empty stomach churning and cramping. Maybe not as original as Dragon Tattoo but I like Carl despite his inability to smile, and this film is just as much about letting go of the past as it is about missing persons. Three and a half bitter espressos. Release date is this Thursday.