'IQ 160' shows Croatian industry's potential for modern series

The new Croatian series "IQ 160," available on RTL's streaming platform Voyo, is being lauded as a major leap for the domestic television industry. The series, an adaptation of the French-Belgian hit HPI, centers on a single mother of three who works as a cleaner at a police station while hiding her exceptional IQ of 160. Her life takes a turn when she accidentally solves a case that eludes experienced investigators, leading her to become a police consultant.

While the plot may echo familiar tropes, seen in shows like "The Mentalist," "IQ 160" represents a significant departure from typical Croatian productions. Critics are particularly impressed by the high quality of acting and production, suggesting that local industry players possess the capability to create modern series competitive on streaming platforms. Dajana Čuljak delivers a masterful performance as the lead character, Marina Kapov, and Luka Peroš, known globally as Marseille from "La Casa de Papel," stars as Inspector Tomislav Ramljak.

Voyo's promotional campaign for "IQ 160" has also drawn praise. Instead of simply releasing the series, RTL has actively marketed it through promotional materials and social media support from fellow actors. This approach signals a recognition of the project's importance and potentially sets a new standard for how local productions are launched.

The article contrasts Voyo's strategic development with Nova TV's "Nova Plus" platform, which is described as merely a video library for content already broadcast on television, lacking exclusive offerings to attract subscribers. "IQ 160" is presented as evidence that Croatian television production can indeed produce modern, engaging series capable of competing on the international streaming stage.