Spoiler-Free Review of “The Hunting Wives” on Netflix: Your Next Guilty Pleasure Binge-Watch is Here!

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“I’m not good with Texas people…”

The Hunting Wives premiered on Netflix on July 21st 2025 with all eight episodes available to stream now. The drama crime thriller series (based on the novel of the same name) stars Brittany Snow, Malin Akerman, Jaime Ray Newman, Katie Lowes, Evan Jonigkeit, and Dermot Mulroney Each episode is approximately 45-50 minutes.

Sophie moves from Massachusetts to Texas, where she is introduced to a group of housewives with deadly secrets.

Here is the trailer:

The Hunting Wives is a soapy and insane thriller that channels Desperate Housewives and Big Little Lies, but does it do enough to be worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Stacked cast!

As soon as I saw the cast for this one, I knew I was in. There were so many familiar faces and I loved the dynamic between all of the characters. The chemistry between Brittany Snow and Malin Akerman was off the charts!

I haven’t been this excited about about a cast in a long time! I’d love to see a crossover between these ladies and the women of Desperate Housewives. Now that would be something!

So addicting!

OK, so it started out really cheesy and soapy, but by the time I got to episode 3, I was completely hooked. There were some insane reveals in this one that kept me guessing. This show definitely gave off some Desperate Housewives vibes with a darker mystery. I loved it!

The Cons:

Sluggish start.

The first two episodes dragged a little for me and there were a few times when I asked myself what I was really watching. Luckily, things turned around in the best way possible by the time I got to episode 3 and it was a crazy ride after that.

Be prepared for some excess fluff and over-the-top sex scenes that seemed to happen almost every other scene at one point. However, I think it added to the guilty pleasure factor, but if that’s not your thing, be warned.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

The Hunting Wives is an addicting and crazy watch that will keep you guessing until the end!

If you’re looking for a guilty pleasure watch, I’d recommend moving this to the top of your list.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Hunting Wives in 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!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Sirens” on Netflix: A Guilty Pleasure Beach Thriller

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“It REALLY seems like a cult…”

Sirens premiered on Netflix on May 22nd 2025 with all five episodes available to stream now. The limited dark comedy thriller series stars Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock, Kevin Bacon, Glenn Howerton, and Felix Solis. Each episode is approximately 55-58 minutes.

Devon is concerned about her sister’s odd relationship with her boss, tracking her down at a lavish mansion on an island to get some answers.

Here is the trailer:

Sirens is a soapy and odd thriller with nods at Desperate Housewives, Revenge, and Big Little Lies, but does it do enough to be worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Meghann Fahy is one to watch!

I have been becoming a big fan of her lately. I’ve seen her pop up on a few shows before and I recently just watched her in DROP, which I absolutely loved.

This was an all-star cast and Meghann Fahy really stole the show with her convincing performance. Her character was fantastic and I loved her dry, dark humor. It really helped elevate this show for me in a lot of ways.

Julianne Moore was terrific as well.

Gorgeous setting.

If you’re looking for a soapy show with beach vibes for the summer, you’re in luck. This one definitely checked off all of those boxes for me. The mansion was beautiful. I loved the use of color and light here. Everything was just breathtakingly beautiful, offsetting some disturbing things going on within the property.

I love soapy guilty pleasure thrillers and this one reminded me of a few other shows that I have really enjoyed with some unexpected twists along the way.

I also loved that this was only five episodes. It made it a breeze to binge-watch over the weekend.

The Cons:

Weird and bonkers plot…

Don’t get me wrong…I was hooked all the same, but this show went off into several different directions. It was really strange at times, but somehow I was still there for it. Everything just felt very jam-packed and chaotic during certain key moments.

The ending threw me for a loop. It was certainly unexpected, but it also left me with some mixed feelings at the end.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

SIRENS is an addicting and unique watch. There were some strange things going on here, but I was here for it!

If you’re looking for a quick, guilty pleasure watch, I’d recommend adding this one to your list.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on SIRENS in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Perfect Couple” on Netflix: Nicole Kidman Stars in a Juicy Murder Mystery!

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Kill someone and get away with it rich…”

The Perfect Couple is a limited mystery-drama series based on the novel of the same name. It released on Netflix on September 5th 2024 with all six episodes available to watch now. The series stars Nicole Kidman, Eve Hewson, Liev Schreiber, Dakota Fanning, Jack Reynor, and Meghann Fahy. Each episode runs for approximately 43-53 minutes.

Friends and family gather at a wedding, but when a dead body washes up on shore, everyone becomes a suspect.

Here is the trailer:

The Perfect Couple will remind you of shows like The White Lotus and Big Little Lies, but it still manages to find its own voice and hook its audience with a compelling mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

All-star cast!

Nicole Kidman mystery dramas are my new favorite genre. She has been absolutely fabulous in Big Little Lies, The Undoing, and Nine Perfect Strangers. Well, she’s got another hit here and she leads a fabulous cast worth getting excited about. I love a good murder mystery and this one was elevated by a talented cast.

The setting was absolutely gorgeous to look at and Nicole Kidman’s wardrobe was so elegant and classy. I had a feeling I would like this one right from the start and I was right.

A solid mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end.

This series did a great job of keeping us guessing. There were a lot of well-placed clues and even though I had my suspicions about the outcome, I still thought the reveal was well done. This series was extremely easy to binge-watch and it was an absolute treat. It had the perfect balance of mystery thrills and soapy drama.

The Cons:

The interrogation scenes in the beginning of the series were distracting.

This wasn’t a major con, but I much preferred the natural course of events and whenever we flashed to someone’s opinion about everything, it lost a little edge for me. The transitions with these scenes eventually worked better in the later episodes, but I struggled with this initially.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

The Perfect Couple is your next obsession!

Nicole Kidman is to die for in this smart and stylish mystery series that really held my attention until the very last frame. I absolutely loved it!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Perfect Couple in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now. I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Apples Never Fall” on Peacock: A Straightforward Mystery-Drama Series

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“Thank you for opening your door…”

Apples Never Fall released on Peacock on March 14th 2024 with all seven episodes available to stream now. The limited mystery-drama series (based on the book of the same name) stars Annette Bening, Sam Neill, Alison Brie, Jake Lacy, Essie Randles, Conor Merrigan, and Georgia Flood. Each episode runs for approximately 45-50 minutes.

After their mother goes missing, the Delaney family works together and unlocks secrets involving the introduction of a stranger on their doorstep, hoping to find their mother before it is too late.

Here is the trailer:

Apples Never Fall is a quick and effortless watch with an addicting premise and decent performances. Is it worthy of your next binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Great cast.

Similar to Big Little Lies (from the same author), this miniseries had quite a few familiar faces in it and I thought the performances were solid for the most part. Annette Bening and Alison Brie stood out the most for me.

Some of the other characters could have been fleshed out a little bit more (I’m assuming they were in the book), but I didn’t need this to go on for longer than it did.

A soapy and simple enough mystery to indulge in.

I appreciated that this series kept things simple and didn’t try to do too much. I’ve seen similar series with outrageous twists and complex sub-plots and while I often love them, it was refreshing to just sit back and enjoy this one without having to think too much.

I thought that the balance between the soapy family drama and the core mystery worked well enough, keeping me engaged until the end.

The Cons:

Not a fan of the constant time jumps.

I eventually got used to them, but it felt erratic jumping back and forth between timelines. Initially it was very confusing and I think they jam-packed way too many of these past and present scenes in the pilot episode, which made it slightly overwhelming.

As the episodes continued, the transitions worked a lot better, but they were disruptive at times still.

I also felt like the ending was kind of a letdown. I guess I wanted something more shocking and darker. It just felt like we were leading up to something extraordinary and then the end result was lukewarm at best.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

Apples Never Fall did enough to keep me engaged until the very end with an impressive cast and a layered mystery.

If you enjoy guilty-pleasure mystery-dramas, you’ll have a satisfying binge-watch overall.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Apples Never Fall in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

This competition is killer…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My new young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Anatomy of a Scandal” on Netflix: A Guilty Pleasure Binge-Watch with a Twist

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“It meant nothing…”

Anatomy of a Scandal is a new limited series drama from Big Little Lies creator, David E. Kelley. It released on April 15th 2022 on Netflix with all six episodes available to watch now. The series stars Sienna Miller, Rupert Friend, Naomi Scott, and Michelle Dockery. Each episode runs for approximately 44-48 minutes.

When a scandalous secret comes to light, Parliamentary Minister, James Whitehouse is put on trial, as he risks losing his job, his family, and the respect of the people.

Here is the trailer:

Anatomy of a Scandal will remind you of shows like The Undoing and Big Little Lies, but it manages to tell a new story of its own with powerful performances. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Addicting with a twist I did not see coming!

I love David E. Kelley shows, but I didn’t know if I would like this one based on the premise. I started the series Saturday morning and quickly finished it within one day because it was very easy to binge-watch and I had to know what happened next with each episode.

We also got this twist that I did not see coming. If you’re looking for your next guilty-pleasure binge-watch, you’re in the right place.

Fantastic cast.

I thought that everyone really played their part well. I liked all of the actors in this series and I was drawn in more because of their performances. Some of the scenes were a little over-the-top but I sort of expected that with this type of series. Plus, Sienna Miller’s wardrobe was incredible!

The Cons:

Weird slow-motion camera views and silly dialogue at times…

I didn’t really get the slow-motion falls throughout this series. I think that they almost glossed over the real reactions and emotions we were seeing, which wasn’t really necessary in my opinion. Some of the dialogue was painful to get through (especially in the earlier episodes) but I think this improved over the episodes or perhaps I just got used to it. The flashbacks were also done in a chaotic way and I would have liked a more seamless transition during certain ones.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

Addicting with an insane twist worth sticking around for!

If you enjoy David E. Kelley and Harlan Coben-esque series, you’ll enjoy this one as well.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Anatomy of a Scandal in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen releases on November 12th 2020! Available for pre-order! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Yellowjackets” on Showtime: Your Next Obsession has Arrived!

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“So what do you think really happened out there?”

Yellowjackets premiered on November 14th 2021 on Showtime. The series will feature ten weekly episodes. It stars Juliette Lewis, Christina Ricci, Melanie Lynskey, Tawny Cypress, Ella Purnell and Sammi Hanratty. Each episode runs for approximately 53-55 minutes.

On their way to nationals, a female high school soccer team survives a plane crash in the middle of the wilderness. Years later, they try to cope with the horrific events that took place after the crash.

Here is the trailer:

Yellowjackets effectively blends several genres together, leading us into a twisted mystery with a great cast and a disturbing plot. Does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Does plenty to bring you back for more!

Even though there was a lot of set-up in the first episode, it did a really good job of reeling the audience in right from the start. We see glimpses of several dark and disturbing moments in the past that left me wanting more immediately. I’m so anxious to explore the mystery surrounding these characters and I am completely hooked!

All-star cast!

I expected fantastic things from Juliette Lewis, Christina Ricci and Melanie Lynskey, but even their younger selves are stealing the show. There is a lot of talent here and I’m so excited to see them all interact more.

Effectively blends genres and time jumps without making our heads spin…

There is a lot to process, but I thought that this show managed to effectively jump back and forth in time. One of my biggest cons with Cruel Summer was that I felt like my head was spinning with the constant time jumps even though I loved the mystery at the center.

Yellowjackets gets this right and I actually thought the past plot was a little more intriguing than the present, but I’m confident that everything will seamlessly connect, bringing us a story worth getting excited about.

I also thought that the blending of genres worked effortlessly. There is something dark and horrific going on, immediately giving me vibes of Alive and The Wilds, but there are also some sprinkles of Big Little Lies too which should make an interesting mash-up.

The Cons:

A lot to keep track of…

The time jumps were effective in this series, but the pilot episode was jam-packed with so much. Don’t get me wrong…I absolutely loved all of it, but it was a lot to process and I felt like I needed a cheat sheet at times for certain things, but there’s still plenty of time to figure everything out in ten episodes.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

I’m so excited about this show and I can’t wait to see how things unfold!

The cast is out of this world, the past and the present both have compelling plots, and the dark secrets rooted in the past are so intriguing and I need to know more!

It’s safe to say that I am completely hooked and I think that you will be too!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Yellowjackets in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

This competition is killer…

My new young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Nine Perfect Strangers” on Hulu: Is Wellness truly worth it?

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Wellness here I come!”

Nine Perfect Strangers is a new mini-series from David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies, Big Sky) based on the bestselling novel by Liane Moriarty. The show premiered on August 18th 2021, featuring three episodes available to stream now on Hulu (approximately 45-50 minutes in length). The remaining five episodes will air weekly. The show stars Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, Samara Weaving, Luke Evans, Regina Hall, and Bobby Canavale.

Nine Perfect Strangers introduces us to nine people who have been invited to an exclusive wellness retreat with extreme measures. As they all come searching for “transformation” and a wellness of sorts, they quickly learn that they are signing up for a lot more with their eccentric guru, Masha (Kidman), who may be hiding a few secrets as well.

Here is the trailer:

Nine Perfect Strangers has an amazing cast and an interesting premise, but does it do enough to hold our attention? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A cast to be excited about.

I’m always thrilled to see Nicole Kidman in pretty much anything, but wow this cast is truly fantastic. I am a huge fan of Samara Weaving and I love how she always immerses herself completely in whatever role comes her way. While I have mostly seen her in horror films, she has quite a bit of range and I almost didn’t recognize her at first because this character was so different.

Melissa McCarthy is so funny and while her films are usually hit or miss for me, I am finding her to be the best part of the show right now and she is helping balance out a lot of the heavy emotional parts.

The rest of the cast is very talented and I’m interested to explore each character more (including the staff at the Wellness retreat).

A plot that draws you in.

There is a lot left to be revealed here, but I already have so many questions and theories and that’s usually what happens whenever I watch a David E. Kelley show. There are a lot of secrets embedded within the walls of this wellness retreat and I want to know more about Nicole Kidman’s character and what her true motivation is.

The show is doing a good job at bringing me back for more and I’m excited to find out where it’s going to lead us.

The Cons:

Not my favorite role for Nicole Kidman.

Nicole Kidman is so talented, but I’m not really feeling this new role for her. Some of the other characters are a lot more interesting, but she does have a lot of mystery surrounding her own character.

I think my biggest issue is her Russian accent. I’m not really buying it and it’s throwing me off a little. I think her character is serving as more of a plot device right now, which is slightly disappointing but I’m hoping that we can explore some more layers soon.

Wavering in its identity.

After watching the first three episodes, I’m not really sure what this show wants to be. Is it an emotional drama? Is it a show about self-discovery? Is it a mystery? I’m not really sure and it’s starting to go off in many directions.

That being said, it’s still reeling me in enough with each episode to keep me coming back for more and I tend to always feel slightly unsure of David E. Kelley’s shows initially, but once all of the reveals begin to unravel, things get a lot more interesting.

I’m hoping that happens here too because I would hate to see this show get lost in the void especially since it has such an amazing cast.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

I’m intrigued by this show and I think that it has a lot of potential. I’m already reading a lot of comparisons to The White Lotus (I still have to watch this) which makes the timing of this release seem slightly problematic.

That being said, I think that the cast is really wonderful and there is a great dynamic between all of the characters. There is a lot left to discover and I think the show has done enough to keep me invested. I’m confident that the reveals will be worth it, but I hope we start to learn more about the mystery behind everything in the next few episodes.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Nine Perfect Strangers in 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!

READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Undoing” on HBO: Nicole Kidman returns to the small screen

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

The Undoing is a new mystery drama limited series from Big Little Lies creator, David E. Kelley. It premiered on HBO on October 25th 2020. The series will air six weekly episodes on HBO and HBO max. It stars Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Donald Sutherland, Lily Rabe, and Matilda De Angelis.

Based on the novel, You Should Have Known, The Undoing follows Grace Fraser, (Kidman) who is a successful therapist living in New York City with her husband and son. After meeting a new mom at a school auction group, a mystery emerges and secrets begin to unravel.

Here is the trailer:

Those of us missing Big Little Lies may be extremely excited about the team-up between Kelley and Kidman once again, but comparisons are not always the best thing for a new show. Does The Undoing do enough to earn its own merit? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of HBO

Incredible cast!

Much like Big Little Lies, The Undoing has an amazing cast. The acting is incredible and Nicole Kidman really shines as Grace. I am also really intrigued by Elena’s character. There is this magnetic mystery radiating from her and I want to know more!

I can’t say enough good things about Nicole Kidman, but I need to take a moment to fully appreciate how stunning she is in that dress at the auction…wow! I have a feeling we will see elegant and timeless fashion from her over the episodes.

I want to know more! Mission accomplished.

Images courtesy of HBO

There is this slow burn approach to the series, as we immerse ourselves in Grace’s life and the drama that surrounds it. The acting is so good and I was never really bored.

As soon as we got to some of the reveals later on in the pilot episode, I was hooked. I have so many questions and I need to watch the next five episodes immediately.

The mystery is a good one and I’m invested for sure.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of HBO

Comparisons to Big Little Lies.

It’s hard not to make comparisons when you have the same creator and the same lead actress, but comparing this show to Big Little Lies is not doing it any favors. Rather, I think that if you take a step back from that and treat this show as something completely separate, you will enjoy it more.

This is supposed to be a psychological thriller with drama and it is succeeding so far. While I do see the similarities between the two shows, I am going to give this show the proper chance it deserves.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of HBO

I’m in!

This show is exactly what I need right now. It presents us with a compelling mystery that hooks you right away. Nicole Kidman is incredible and I can’t wait to watch more episodes!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Undoing in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen releases on November 12th 2020! Available for pre-order! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Little Fires Everywhere” on Hulu: Deliciously Deadly Suburbia

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“If they’re saying something untrue, then you should change the story…”

Little Fires Everywhere premiered on Hulu on March 17th 2020 with 3 new episodes (Approximately 50 minutes in length). The remaining 5 episodes of the limited series will air weekly on Wednesdays. It stars Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Joshua Jackson, Lexi Underwood, and Gavin Lewis.

The show is based on the best-selling novel written by Celeste Ng. It follows a 90’s family living in the picture perfect suburban town of Shaker Heights. They cross paths with a mother and daughter who have just arrived in town, as secrets, dark pasts, and mysteries are revealed. Each character’s story is intertwined with another, creating a vortex of drama along the way.

This plot and setting may seem familiar, as it definitely channels some aspects of Big Little Lies, The Affair, and Desperate Housewives.

However, the connections and story lure you in right away, making this binge-watch friendly option entertaining. But does it do enough to stand out from its predecessors? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Little Fires Hulu 3 — Images courtesy of Hulu

Witherspoon and Washington are electric on screen.

Their characters certainly have an interesting dynamic and we can absolutely feel the awkward tension between them, as each mother comes from a different socioeconomic background. However, the performances of these two incredible actresses transform these intriguing characters into something far greater. I can’t get enough of them!

The rest of the supporting characters are actually terrific as well and I would like to spotlight Lexi Underwood, who plays Mia’s (Washington) daughter, Pearl.

A mystery that leaves you wanting more.

The opening scene of the series immediately draws you in, as we discover that Elena Richardson’s (Witherspoon) beautiful home is on fire. We know that this is not an accident and it certainly makes you suspect everyone we meet, as we try to get to the bottom of this mystery, while other secrets are exposed along the way.

Little Fires Hulu 2 — Images courtesy of Hulu

90’s nostalgia.

I don’t know about you, but I love a show that can transport me back to a time that I know very well. The show is set during the late 90’s and we get several mentions of this, but the pop culture references seamlessly mentioned really make you feel like you are turning back time.

The kids are seen watching Ricki Lake and The Real World. Elena’s daughter throws in some comments about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and even compares her own high school relationship to Brenda and Dylan’s on Beverly Hills, 90210.

Once you get to the high school dance, the songs will absolutely make you smile. Seriously, one song after the next had me singing along from Chumbawamba’s Tubthumping to The Cardigans’s Lovefool to Savage Garden’s Truly Madly Deeply.

I was in 90’s music heaven and I still know all the words! Enjoy!

The Cons:

Little Fires Hulu 4 — Images courtesy of Hulu

Same Reese. Different show.

I wouldn’t say that this is really a con, but I have seen Reese Witherspoon play this character before. Elena Richardson is very much a mix between Bree Van de Kamp from Desperate Housewives and Madeline Martha Mackenzie on Big Little Lies, played by Witherspoon. I’ve seen Reese play this character obsessed with perfection many times and I was hoping for a different role for her.

That being said, she plays the role brilliantly, but I guess I was looking for some more layers from her.

So am I in or out?

Little Fires Hulu 5 — Images courtesy of Hulu

I’m in! This series is exactly what I need right now. The show keeps you on the edge of your seat and there are so many moments in-between the big ones that will take your breath away. Every character and plot point is important and Kerry Washington is out of this world. She’s truly incredible and she lights up the screen with Reese Witherspoon, as we unfold this mystery together.

While some of the suburban drama is predictable, the show has not let me down yet, surprising me with its reveals and twists. I can’t wait to watch the remaining episodes and I absolutely recommend this show.

It is the series to watch right now!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Little Fires Everywhere in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, 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 enjoy dark 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!

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

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My performance of the week ending 7/27/19 on TV goes to…

Nicole Kidman as Celeste Wright on HBO’s Big Little Lies season two. I am always impressed with Nicole Kidman in every role, but her performance in Big Little Lies has been incredible over the past two seasons. While I have some mixed thoughts on season two overall, Nicole’s performance continued to send chills down my spine. It’s almost like you could feel everything that she was feeling, as she completely embodied the character of Celeste. Please note some spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on both seasons.

Celeste is so broken and fragile, especially after everything she has recently gone through. In season two, it almost seems like she is sleepwalking through her life until she gets a huge wake up call. And yet, through all the mistakes, she is still able to ultimately channel her inner strength and stand up in front of the court to fight for her sons. Some of Celeste’s actions are questionable and it’s clear that she does need some help, but she loves her children unconditionally and she refuses to be a victim here.

It was unsettling and heartbreaking to witness what Celeste had to go through on the stand, but she somehow decides to defend herself, taking matters into her own hands. Celeste cross examines her mother-in-law, who is played brilliantly by Meryl Streep, but her mother-in-law definitely knows how to cross boundaries and she pushes a lot of buttons along the way.

Celeste maintains her composure and sets the record straight, bringing to light some interesting revelations. In the season two finale, I was utterly and completely captivated by Nicole’s performance. Celeste almost reminded me of a bird with a broken wing, now discovering that she can fly again, which was inspiring to watch.

What’s next for Celeste? We’ll have to wait and see and I am uncertain if we will see any future episodes of the series. We are left with another cliffhanger, although it certainly did not have the shock factor of the season one finale, but I am hoping that Celeste uses this win to also recognize that she does need help so that she can truly be there for her children. Either way, Nicole’s performance is note-worthy and even though season two did not compare to season one for me, she continued to hold my undivided attention, proving to be a worthy actress in every single role.

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

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