Video streaming services act as digital passports by bringing a world’s worth of entertainment to domestic screens. Topic is a platform that wants to take you to a very specific place: the world of European crime dramas. This narrow lane can’t compete with broad Editors’ Choice winners like Hulu and Netflix, which offer something for everyone. Still, Topic is a worthwhile service if you want to watch moody Scandinavian cops catch criminals.

What Can You Watch on Topic?

Topic is for viewers who know what “Nordic noir” means. Its big hook is that it provides an exclusive American streaming home for acclaimed international crime thrillers and police procedurals. Not everything fits this genre, and Topic also has original shows, but the service is banking on you being surprised and delighted by the idea of exploring big, unknown thrillers.

(Credit: Topic)

From Finland, there's Arctic Circle. From France, there's Spiral. Did you watch the American versions of The Bridge, The Killing, and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo? You can watch their original European versions here. If you primarily associate foreign cinema with arthouse flicks worthy of the Criterion Channel, you should adjust expectations. This is more like foreign prestige TV. Still, that’s a cool niche to service. It's reminiscent of KweliTV, just for a different part of the globe.

Topic has a few hundred movies and shows, but the content it uses to flesh itself out isn’t quite as consistent as the dramas it highlights. Some of it is good: I was shocked to find Oscar-nominated films like The Act of Killing and The Letter Room, for instance. But if I wanted to watch weird, random schlock like Jaleel White interviewing child stars or a guy stuck in a time-loop mansion, I would fire up Tubi, our Editors' Choice winner for free video streaming services.

How Much Does Topic Cost?

Topic costs $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year. There’s no free option, but this single paid tier lacks commercials. That’s not a bad price considering how other, more popular streaming services are steadily becoming more expensive. The cheapest tier for Netflix costs $6.99 per month, but you must sit through ads (worse, you can’t even watch everything in the library). Topic also lets you gift a subscription to others. Like Amazon Prime Video and Vudu, you can purchase or rent videos a la carte, with prices range from $3 to $10.

As for platforms, Topic is available on the web, mobile devices (Android and iOS), and streaming media devices (Android TV, Fire TV, Roku). You can stream its content as a premium channel from Amazon or YouTube. Topic lacks apps for video game consoles.

(Credit: Topic)

Topic's Mobile and Web Apps

Topic has a standard streaming interface powered by Vimeo. Any shows you add to your watchlist appear beneath the main carousel. Beneath that are rows for different categories, such as Most Popular or Based on True Events. Movies and series have dedicated search pages. You can also filter queries by cast and crew members, duration, genre, and country.

Under the What’s New page, Topic runs a blog that not only tells you what’s coming soon to the service, but provides some cool context. For example, you can see editors' recommendations or check out the drop days for new TV show episodes.

Selecting a movie or show brings you to its page where you can see more episodes, watch a trailer, or share the listing on social media. The video player ran smoothly over my home internet connection and let me adjust the quality up to 1080p HD (Topic lacks 4K content, which is par for the course for non-mainstream services). You can also pop the player out for picture-in-picture. However, there is no quick rewind or fast forward button (in browser or on mobile).

The mobile version is basically a shrunken-down version of the web interface. The one major addition is that you can download videos for offline viewing, a welcome premium feature that’s not always guaranteed with streaming services. You can simultaneously stream on up to two devices.

(Credit: Topic)

Topic's Accessibility and Parental Controls

As a service marketing foreign shows to a largely American audience, Topic knows its subtitle options must be on point. Fortunately, you can turn on English closed captions, as well as adjust how they’re displayed for maximum comfort. You can also adjust playback speed. You can even choose to read back through the entire transcript of whatever you’re watching.

Topic’s other translation option isn’t quite as successful. Several shows have English dubs, like what you’d see in an anime streaming service. However, instead of employing actual voice actors, these English dub voices are powered by artificial intelligence. As a result, the performances sound awkward and lifeless, doing a disservice to the material.

Topic doesn’t let you create multiple accounts, and there are no parental controls. Unless your kids are into dour European cops standing in the rain, they won't be too tempted to fire up a stream.

Can You Watch Topic With a VPN?

Topic appeals to viewers unafraid of international entertainment. Fleeing the country (virtually) is also a great way to protect yourself online using a VPN. However, spoofing your geographic location this way tends to lock you out of most video streaming services due to licensing issues.

I tested Topic using a Windows PC connected to ProtonVPN servers. I enjoyed smooth streaming while connected to American servers, but choosing a server in another country caused an error that said the content was unavailable. Disappointing, but unsurprising.

Stay on Topic

Topic is an affordable way to stream international crime dramas. Unlike more expansive and mainstream online video streaming services, such as Editors' Choice winners Hulu and Netflix, it Topic isn't meant for everyone. That said, it's easy to recommed if you want to dive deep into Nordic noir.