*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*
“Sometimes it feels like you’re running off a cliff…”
Harlan Coben’s Hold Tight (Zachowaj spokój) premiered on Netflix on April 22nd 2022. The Polish mystery thriller series features six episodes available to stream now. It stars Magdalena Boczarska, Leszek Lichota, Krzysztof Oleksyn and Agata Łabno. Each episode runs for approximately 42-50 minutes.
When a teen goes missing after his friend dies, a community begins to fall apart with deadly secrets and lies.
Here is the trailer:
Hold Tight brings back familiar characters from Harlan Coben’s The Woods, but does this story pack enough of a punch? Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of Netflix
Talent across the board…
From the adults to the teens, every actor put forth a valiant effort with their character portrayal. I was just as interested in the story-line involving the teens as I was with the adults. This isn’t always easy to pull off but I think this series did a decent job with this aspect.
A mystery with layers.
If you’re a fan of Harlan Coben series, then you know to expect a mystery with tons of layers and sub-plots. That’s the formula and it works well for the most part, pulling in the audience as we try to pick up the clues that will lead us to the end reveal. There were a lot of moving pieces in this one, but I thought the reveals at the end were worth sticking around for.
The Cons:
Images courtesy of Netflix
Lacks a little bit of edge…
Don’t get me wrong, the series is definitely watchable, but this one felt slower than other Harlan Coben series. I wasn’t hooked the same way I was with The Stranger, Stay Close, and The Innocent. I just wanted a little bit more to completely lure me in.
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of Netflix
I’m in about 75 percent…
Hold Tight is a solid mystery that will keep you guessing. The reveals are worth it, but be prepared for a slower pace overall.
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Hold Tightin the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
DON’T TAKE THE JOB…
It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!
*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*
“Do they know who you were in your previous life?”
Harlan Coben’s Stay Close premiered on Netflix on December 31st 2021. The mystery thriller series features eight episodes available to stream now. It stars Cush Jumbo, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, Sarah Parish and Bethany Antonia. Each episode runs for approximately 42-48 minutes.
As Megan prepares for her upcoming wedding, her dangerous past comes back to haunt her, connecting her to a mysterious murder while threatening her new life and family.
Here is the trailer:
Stay Close follows Harlan Coben’s compelling and addicting formula perfectly, but does this series do enough to keep up with The Stranger and The Innocent? Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of Netflix
An engrossing mystery…
I’ve come to expect this from the Harlan Coben mysteries, but this series is no exception. I was immediately pulled in right from the start and each episode did plenty to bring me back for more. This show was so much fun to binge-watch. It kept me guessing the entire time and did a great job of revealing just enough to keep the audience fully invested.
Images courtesy of Netflix
A final twist I didn’t see coming!
I’ve gotten pretty good at piecing together Harlan Coben mysteries, but there is always one final twist that throws me for a loop and this may be the best twist I have seen so far! I am still in shock over it!
The Cons:
Images courtesy of Netflix
A lot to keep track of…
If you’re used to Harlan Coben mysteries, then you already know that there will be plenty of sub-plots to make your head spin, but everything eventually connects in the end. I wouldn’t really say this is a con, but you need to pay attention to everything and even if some characters seem slightly ridiculous, they’ll start to grow on you…
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of Netflix
I’m in 100 percent!!!
Stay Close is a fantastic mystery that will keep you guessing. I loved every second of it! I think it absolutely kept up with The Stranger and The Innocent, but it did something new and different as well! The mystery will keep you coming back for more, but this series has so much going for it and it is beyond worthy of your next watch!
Start the year off with an addicting thriller that will make you binge-watch to your heart’s content!
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Stay Closein the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
DON’T TAKE THE JOB…
It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!
*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*
“The first day of the rest of your life…”
Harlan Coben’s The Innocent (El Inocente) premiered on Netflix on April 30th 2021. The Spanish mini-series features eight episodes available to stream now. It stars Mario Casas, Aura Garrido, Alexandra Jiménez and Juana Acosta. Each episode runs for approximately 55-60 minutes.
After an accidental killing, Mateo Vidal is released from prison and thinks that he can start his life over when he meets the love of his life. Years later, a disturbing phone call tangles him in a dangerous and deadly web of deception involving the murder of a young nun.
Here is the trailer:
The Innocent immediately submerges us back into the brilliant and mysterious world of Harlan Coben, as his novel comes to life on the small screen. While many of his shows have delivered in the past, can any show measure up to The Stranger? Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of Netflix
A captivating mystery that lures you in.
Harlan Coben is so talented at creating such a layered mystery and he does it over and over again with his books. In this latest adaption of his novel, we are immersed into this new mystery that immediately hooks us from the very first episode.
It was so engrossing and well done. Much like The Stranger, I was on the edge of my seat and I could not stop watching this series. It is that good!
Inspiring characters.
The characters were developed so well and as soon as I thought I had my mind made up about someone, something drastic would happen to change my mind completely. I became so invested in the well-being of each character and even the flashbacks were really interesting and held my attention the entire time.
The Cons:
Images courtesy of Netflix
A lot of sub-plots.
This should come as no surprise because it is always listed as my con for any Harlan Coben series and at this point, I’m used to it. That being said, you have to invest a lot of time and energy into this series. If you stop paying attention, you will miss something important that will connect later on.
I also thought that the opening episode was so incredibly strong and then when we switched narratives in the second episode, it was really jarring and I almost thought I was watching a different show.
However, the payoff is worth it and I recommend that you stick around even if these initial subplots and narrative changes seem confusing.
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of Netflix
I’m in 1000 percent!!!!!
The Innocent is an engrossing mystery from start to finish. This series is so addicting and it will keep you guessing at every new reveal. I didn’t think that another Harlan Coben series could come close to The Stranger and The Innocent is giving it a run for its money. Wow!
It is the absolute perfect binge-watch and the show I have been waiting for!
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Innocentin the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
DON’T TAKE THE JOB…
It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!
*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*
“I just can’t get you out of my head…”
The Secrets She Keeps originally premiered on Network 10 in April of 2020 and later was available to stream on Sundance Now. AMC is now airing the series with weekly episodes as of April 19th 2021. The Australian thriller series is set to air six weekly episodes. It stars Laura Carmichael, Jessica De Gouw, Michael Dorman, and Cariba Heine. Each episode runs for approximately 50-55 minutes.
Based on the novel of the same name, the show centers around two pregnant women who meet in a supermarket. After discovering their similarities, we start to piece together the secrets they are both holding as they become entangled in a web of deception.
Here is the trailer:
The Secrets She Keeps is a mystery thriller series that promises to keep you guessing at every turn. As pieces of the puzzle are revealed, we soon discover that nothing is as it seems. The plot is intriguing enough, but does this series do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of AMC
A mystery that draws you in.
The show immediately gave me a Single White Female kind of vibe and I loved that. Both women have past scars and secrets, but they also seem to be hiding a lot. Agatha clearly has some sort of obsession with Meghan and envies her life, but as we start to learn more about Agatha’s own past, things aren’t so clear cut, which makes this mystery that much more layered and intriguing to me.
Great acting.
Both of the female leads are fantastic and I actually really like both of their characters. They are believable and really embodied the real life fears and doubts of women everywhere. Pregnancy can be scary enough and they are also tackling so many other things, which makes this chance encounter between the two of them that much more important. I can’t wait to find out more!
The Cons:
Images courtesy of AMC
Somewhat predictable.
I predicted some of the initial reveals, but I think that as the series progresses, it will keep me guessing. It’s hard to keep that suspense going and I think the series is doing a good job of bringing us back for more, but I hope it doesn’t lean too heavily on obvious reveals.
I’m keeping an open mind!
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of AMC
I’m in!
The Secrets She Keeps is exactly the kind of thriller I enjoy. It may be borderline Lifetime-esque, but it has enough going on to keep me coming back for more. I’m confident that the reveals will become harder to guess as the episodes progress and I’m excited to watch the remaining episodes to see this plot unfold!
If you enjoy shows like Who Killed Sara? and The Stranger, you will feel right at home with this series and I’m really excited it is finally airing in the United States!
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Secrets She Keepsin the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
DON’T TAKE THE JOB…
It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!
Greetings TV Fans! As we get closer and closer to approaching 2021, I thought it would be the perfect time to count down my Top 10 TV Shows of 2020.
While some returning shows continued strong, others fell off slightly. Meanwhile, some other new shows completely captivated my attention, paving their way into my top 10.
**Please note some spoilers are ahead.**
Without any further delay, let’s get to my list!
My Top 10 Television Shows of 2020 are:
10
The Undoing
Image courtesy of HBO
Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant brought some mesmerizing thrills and intensity to the small screen. This mystery hooked me from the very first episode and I couldn’t wait to find out how it all ended.
Edge of your seat moments and then some!
9
Homeland (Season 8, Final Season)
Image courtesy of Showtime
It’s been a long journey for Carrie and Saul, but I thought that the final season did a fantastic job of wrapping things up. For me, the ending was satisfying and it’s not always easy to pull this off for a long-running show.
8
Killing Eve (Season 3)
Image courtesy of BBC America
While season 1 still remains my favorite so far, I thought that season 3 did a good job of filling in a lot of blanks I had about Villanelle’s character and backstory. Plus, we got some Villaneve moments that were simply to die for…pun intended!
7
Lucifer (Season 5, Part 1)
Image courtesy of Netflix
The will-they-won’t-they tension is finally resolved and we got some pretty epic showdowns that may have made this season one of my absolute favorites so far. I’m still sitting here anxiously waiting for a release date for part 2, but this season exceeded my expectations so far.
6
Cursed
Image courtesy of Netflix
This re-imagining of King Arthur was full of beautiful cinematography, but I was obsessed with Katherine Langford’s portrayal of Nimue (The Lady of the Lake). She was the bad-ass female character I was looking for and I can’t wait to see what she does next!
5
The Stranger
Image courtesy of Netflix
Harlan Coben is the master of creating mysteries that will keep you guessing, but this show was the definition of the perfect binge-watch for me. It hooked me right from the opening scene and I had to know more as each piece of the puzzle was introduced.
4
Dispatches From Elsewhere
Image courtesy of AMC
This show came out of nowhere for me. But I can say that it was like nothing I have ever watched before. There was something transcendent and magical within this show and while the mystery was compelling enough, the development and connection between characters was truly meaningful. Jason Segel is a genius!
3
The Flight Attendant
Image courtesy of HBO Max
A unique and addicting thriller with a brilliant performance by Kaley Cuoco. This show was fun, intense, and really out there and I am completely obsessed with it!
2
The Queen’s Gambit
Image courtesy of Netflix
Honestly, it’s really a toss up between my number one and two picks this year. I loved both shows so much, but I guess it comes down to preference for me. However, I can’t say enough good things about The Queen’s Gambit. This show was like nothing I have ever seen before and Anya Taylor-Joy deserves an Emmy for her performance.
Who would have thought that a story about a chess player would be so incredibly moving and entertaining? If you haven’t seen this yet, please move it to the top of your watch-list. It’s that good.
Drum roll please…
1
The Haunting of Bly Manor
Image courtesy of Netflix
A beautifully chilling ghost story that channeled its Gothic roots while bringing us a fresh take on a classic story. As soon as I started watching this, I was completely drawn in by the narration and I thought that each reveal was brilliantly done.
There was something beyond haunting about this show. It truly pierced my heart and soul and forever changed me in a lot of ways. “Perfectly splendid.”
I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments about your favorite television shows of 2020. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Happy Monday TV fans! After finally watching The CW’s The 100 season 7 episode 12, I learned that sometimes we need to ask ourselves: “Is the thing you believe in really that important?”
Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.
In episode 12, “The Stranger,” Sheidheda continues to force the people of Sanctum to kneel, but Memori takes matters into their own hands. Meanwhile, Bellamy tries to figure out a way to save his friends while still maintaining his new beliefs.
My top 5 moments from The 100 season 7 episode 12 are:
5
“Welcome to new Sanctum.”
Let’s be honest. I don’t think that Sanctum has had a drama-free moment since our favorite characters arrived here, but things are taking a turn for the worse under Sheidheda’s rule.
He wipes out the Children of Gabriel after they refuse to kneel to him, reminding everyone that he means business.
Images courtesy of The CW
Luckily, Indra, Emori, and Murphy are working together to keep innocents safe and hidden, but it’s only a matter of time before their secret is unraveled…
4
“Who the hell are you?”
After getting over the initial shock of Bellamy being alive, Echo takes a moment to ask him what’s really going on. Bellamy wants to figure out a way to fix the flame because he knows it is the only way to save his friends, but sooner or later…he’s going to have to make a choice.
Images courtesy of The CW
Let’s just hope it’s the right one.
3
“She did it to save your soul.”
We get several heart-to-heart talks during this episode, but Hope is really taking her mother’s death hard. Jordan sheds some light and proves to be a good listener. Diyoza’s sacrifice was to protect her daughter, but Hope needs to find the strength within her to help save her friends.
I have a feeling that she is going to be extremely important at the end of all of this. And let’s not forget about Octavia and Clarke’s talk about family. I keep getting the feeling that someone else is about to die…
2
“I’m proud of you Murphy.”
There is still a lot of setup around Murphy’s character development. We know that he has embraced his heroic side, but it’s making me wonder if he will be the main character to die. He has done so much and now he is revealing a truly selfless side.
Images courtesy of The CW
Sheidheda finds the hiding spot and holds Murphy captive, as they continue their complicated game of chess, but is his life in real danger here?
I think it’s time for him to get some serious backup…
1
“What the hell happened here?”
A good question for sure. After Clarke is tortured to extract her memories, Bellamy realizes that he may be out of chances to save her and his friends. When Clarke’s friends are threatened, she agrees to bring the Disciples to the flame, but he first sends her friends through the anomaly to an unknown planet.
I have a feeling they will finally meet up with Gaia here, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Meanwhile, Clarke goes through the anomaly to Sanctum with Bill and the others and Murphy is beyond thrilled to see her. However, Clarke has certainly walked into quite the mess.
I think another war is about to begin…
May we meet again.
Stay tuned! New episodes return September 9th 2020!
I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The 100in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…
A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now! I hope you enjoy!
**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.Thanks for your support!
Do you love horror series? Of course you do! Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon. It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals!
**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**
If you thoroughly enjoyed your watches of The Stranger and Safe, Harlan Coben’s latest crime thriller series is out for you to binge-watch now.
The Woods is a Polish series that premiered on Netflix on June 12th 2020. It features6 episodes (45-50 minutes in length) and it stars Grzegorz Damiecki, Agnieszka Grochowska, Hubert Milkowski, and Wiktoria Filus. The series is available with subtitles or dubbed in English.
Like the addicting and binge-watch worthy The Stranger and Safe, The Woods is also brought to us from author and creator, Harlan Coben. It is a mystery thriller that centers around Pawel Kopinski. Twenty-five years ago, Pawel’s sister went missing, along with three other teens from their summer camp, but new evidence comes to light, suggesting that the case may not be shut just yet.
This show has the potential to fulfill your craving for a new mystery thriller, but does The Woods measure up to The Stranger and Safe?Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of Netflix
A mystery that immediately pulls you in.
Much like with The Stranger and Safe, Harlan Coben is a genius at bringing us into a crime filled world with secrets and reveals at every corner. The mystery surrounding Pawel’s missing sister is a compelling one. It hooks you onto the show and keeps you guessing until the very end, which is what I expect these shows to do.
Images courtesy of Netflix
Ship-worthy chemistry.
Don’t get me wrong, the series is a crime thriller mystery, but I absolutely loved the chemistry between Pawel and Laura. They fell in love twenty-five years ago and when they meet up in the present, you could just feel the passion between them once again. Sure, they don’t really have too much time to dwell on this, but it helped me connect with the characters more and I thought their performances were believable and well done.
Images courtesy of Netflix
Seamless flashbacks.
It’s not easy pulling off flashbacks that advance the plot, but I thought that they worked extremely well in this particular series. I was actually more interested in the flashbacks than present day events and I thought that they freed us up from the slower pace at times. The character dynamics were great and you really felt the terror and anxiety rushing through each character as secrets were revealed.
The Cons:
Images courtesy of Netflix
Slow pace.
The series is only six episodes and each episode isn’t terribly long, but the series had a tendency to drag in many places. The monotonous music and dull lighting didn’t help at times as I had to keep forcing myself to pay attention. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of moments where you will focus on what is going on completely, but I was just hoping for a faster pace like with The Stranger and Safe and I didn’t really get that here.
Too many sub-plots.
If you have read my reviews on The Stranger and Safe, then you know that I often comment on the multiple sub-plots throughout these series. However, they seemed to stick out even more in The Woods because of the slower pace.
We get this present day case that Pawel is working on and I’m not even sure what actually happened with it because it steered off course too much. While many of the sub-plots make sense later on and add to the mystery, they could be extremely overwhelming and unnecessary at times.
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of Netflix
I’m about 50/50 on this one. The series is only six episodes long so it does make a good weekend binge-watch, but I wouldn’t necessarily move it up to the top of your list just yet.
Perhaps I set my expectations a little bit too high here. I adored both The Stranger and Safe and I was counting the days up until the release of this series. While The Woods does deliver as a compelling mystery that will keep you guessing, it lacks in a lot of other areas and is just kind of OK overall.
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Woods in the comments section below. You can check out my review of The Strangerhere! Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…
A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now! I hope you enjoy!
**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.Thanks for your support!
Do you love horror series? Of course you do! Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon. It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals!
**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**
If you thoroughly enjoyed your binge-watch of The Stranger, you might have been endlessly skimming through Netflix recommendations for something to measure up. Well fear not, as Netflix gets it completely right with its latest recommendation…Safe.
Safe actually premiered on Netflix on May 10th 2018, but it has been gaining popularity ever since The Stranger premiered. It features8 episodes (40-45 minutes in length) and it stars Dexter’s Michael C. Hall, Amy James-Kelly, Amanda Abbington, Marc Warren, and Hannah Arterton.
Like The Stranger, Safe is also brought to us from author and creator, Harlan Coben. It is a mystery thriller that follows Tom Delaney’s search for his missing daughter, Jenny. Once again, dark secrets are exposed as several threads begin to unravel together, leaving us on the edge of our seats with constant twists and turns.
The show has a very similar feel, almost making it seem like part of a thriller anthology series, but does Safe measure up to The Stranger?Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of Netflix
Once again, an amazing cast!
Michael C. Hall was absolutely brilliant as Tom Delaney and as a huge fan of Dexter, I was pleased to see him thrive in another role. The rest of the cast was fantastic as well, making the character dynamics that much more more intriguing.
Images courtesy of Netflix
Another surprising mystery.
Even though I preferred the approach of an actual stranger exposing dark secrets, I thought that the mystery behind Safe was just as compelling. Once again, I found myself completely invested to see how things would unfold, coming up with my own theories and suspects along the way. The show is far from predictable and each episode leaves you wanting more and more.
The Cons:
Images courtesy of Netflix
Too many sub-plots.
Much like The Stranger, we ended up lost in several side plots and characters along the way. Some of them connected to the main mystery centered around Tom Delaney and his daughter, but others seemed out of place and strange. That being said, I thought that Safe did a better job with this than The Stranger, connecting as many dots as possible for us without completely overwhelming us.
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of Netflix
I’m in 100 percent again! After watching The Stranger, I was endlessly searching for something similar to watch and I love that we now get the chance to discover the hidden gem of Safe. I didn’t even know about this show when it premiered, but hopefully more fans of The Stranger will discover it and give it a chance because it can stand on its own as a worthy thriller series.
Even though I think that I enjoyed The Stranger a little bit more, Safe did not disappoint at all. Once again, Netflix delivered with the perfect binge-watch and we can never get enough of Michael C. Hall, so that was an added bonus!
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Safe in the comments section below. You can check out my review of The Strangerhere! Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]
**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural?Do you enjoydark fantasy,fairy-tale retellings,paranormal romance, horror, and mystery? Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I really hope you enjoy!
Do you love horror series? Of course you do! Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon. It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals!
**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**
“A secret revealed is a secret destroyed.”
The Stranger premiered on Netflix on January 31st 2020 with 8 episodes (40-45 minutes in length). It stars Richard Armitage, Siobhan Finneran, Anthony Head, Dervla Kirwan, and Hannah John-Kamen.
The show is based on the book of the same name by Harlan Coben. It is a mystery thriller that follows the lives of several families, as secrets are exposed by a stranger, creating a vortex of lies, murder, and a quest to uncover the truth.
This is not the first crime thriller that Netflix has released, but it’s difficult to deliver some worthy twists without over-complicating things.
If you enjoy movies like The Call, The Girl on the Train, and Gone Girl, this new show will make you feel right at home, but does it do enough to stand out as a worthy thrill ride? Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of Netflix
The mystery will keep you invested and guessing the entire time.
Adam Price basically has his entire life turned upside down when a stranger approaches him with a shattering secret about his wife. As we begin to uncover the truth with Adam, you will find yourself on the edge of your seat, which makes the watch entertaining and fast-paced. Unnecessary set-up does not get in the way, as we dive right into the mystery from the opening minutes of the series.
An amazing cast.
Richard Armitage does a fantastic job with his role, but I was also really impressed by Siobhan Finneran’s portrayal of Johanna Griffin. Let’s not forget that we also have Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum, Anthony Head playing a supporting role to perfection. The list goes on and on and every single performance was spot on.
The Cons:
Images courtesy of Netflix
Way too many sub-plots.
Yes, this is one of those shows where everything connects. However, we certainly get a lot thrown our way and some of it seems beyond outrageous. If you pay attention, a lot of the connections and reveals make sense later on, but some of them are actually never explained, so I’m wondering why we didn’t just focus on the main mystery, which was compelling enough.
It’s easy to get lost in this show and perhaps it is too complex for its own good, but there are enough reasons why you should still watch the show in its entirety anyway.
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of Netflix
I’m in 100 percent! While the show may be unnecessarily complex at times, it is the epitome of the perfect weekend binge-watch. You can watch all eight episodes in one sitting and you will probably want to because each episode leaves you wanting more, as you try to figure out the mystery going on.
I tend to thoroughly enjoy mystery thrillers with a touch of Lifetime drama thrown in and this show exceeded my expectations. While this isn’t the best show or thriller I have ever seen, it delivers as a quick and entertaining show you can watch while throwing in some unexpected twists and moments that will keep you guessing.
Keep these coming, Netflix!
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Stranger in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]
**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural?Do you enjoydark fantasy,fairy-tale retellings,paranormal romance, horror, and mystery? Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I really hope you enjoy!
Do you love horror series? Of course you do! Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon. It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals!
Greetings TV Fans! As we approach Mid-January, some of our absolute favorite shows will be returning with new episodes and we can also look forward to some brand new showsas well that have a lot of potential. Looking to find out when they all start? You came to the right place!
While some of our favorite returning shows already have 2020 premiere dates announced, others are still giving out a TBD 2020 response, as I vigilantly keep checking to see when they will be premiering. It looks like we have several new shows with a lot of potential and some of our returning favorites seem very promising as well.
Without further delay, the 2020 Mid-season TV premieres I am most looking forward to are:
The Outsider
Image courtesy of HBO
Premiere date: January 12th 2020
Where to watch: HBO
Based on Stephen King’s novel, this series will follow the murder investigation of a young boy, which leads a seasoned cop to question everything after discovering some supernatural forces and threats along the way.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina(Part 3)
Image courtesy of Netflix
Premiere date: January 24th 2020
Where to watch: Netflix
Sabrina Spellman is back and we can’t wait to see what she does next! Will she finally find a balance between being a mortal and a witch or will she lose herself to dark magic completely?
The Stranger
Image courtesy of Netflix
Premiere date: January 30th 2020
Where to watch: Netflix
Adam Price seems to have it all. That is, until a stranger approaches him one night and reveals a shocking secret that will change his life forever. This new mystery thriller looks binge-watch promising for sure!
Katy Keene
Image courtesy of The CW
Premiere date: February 6th 2020
Where to watch: The CW
A spin-off of Riverdale? Yes please! Oh wait and it stars Pretty Little Liars’s Lucy Hale? I’m in!
Locke & Key
Image courtesy of Netflix
Premiere date: February 7th 2020
Where to watch: Netflix
Based on the graphic novel, this show follows a group of siblings who move into Keyhouse after their father is murdered, which leads to some creepy findings of their own.
HomelandSeason 8 (Final Season)
Image courtesy of Showtime
Premiere date: February 9th 2020
Where to watch: Showtime
It seems like it’s been quite some time since we’ve last checked in with Carrie Mathison, but it’s about time. I can’t wait to see how it all ends!
The Haunting of Bly Manor(The Haunting of Hill House Season 2)
Image courtesy of Netflix
Premiere date: TBD 2020
Where to watch: Netflix
The second season of The Haunting of Hill House already looks extremely promising based on the premise. Much like the AHS anthology, we will see several of the stars return from season one as we are welcomed into a new story, which will loosely follow The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. Can’t wait!!!!
Cursed
Image courtesy of Netflix
Premiere date: TBD 2020
Where to watch: Netflix
A fresh take on the Arthurian legend starring 13 Reasons Why’s Katherine Langford? I’m definitely in! This show is based on Frank Miller’s novel and will center around the Lady of the Lake (Nimue) story in a re imagined way.
Lovecraft Country
Image courtesy of HBO
Premiere date: TBD 2020
Where to watch: HBO
A Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams team-up seems too good to be true, but that’s what we have here for this highly anticipated horror drama. Based on the novel by Matt Ruff, this story follows Atticus Black, who is searching for his missing father.
Westworld (Season 3)
Image courtesy of HBO
Premiere date: March 15th 2020
Where to watch: HBO
Season 3 will bring us into a whole new world and if Aaron Paul is around for it, I’m in!
Little Fires Everywhere
Image courtesy of Hulu
Premiere date: March 18th 2020
Where to watch: Hulu
Starring the talented and amazing Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, this limited series will follow the fears of suburban mothers, which may give us some Big Little Lies and Desperate Housewives nostalgia for sure. I’m in!
Stay tuned for reviews, recaps, and top five moments! I don’t know about you, but I am very excited for new episodes to return and I am really looking forward to exploring these new promising shows!
I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post the shows you are looking forward to premiering in 2020 in the comments below. I always love discovering new shows and that’s where you come in! Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural?Do you enjoydark fantasy,fairy-tale retellings,paranormal romance, horror, and mystery? Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I really hope you enjoy!
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