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:

The Undoing Cast Nicole Kidman HBO

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.

The Undoing Nicole Kidman HBO 2

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:

The Undoing HBO 3

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?

The Undoing Nicole Kidman HBO 4

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…

Girl Number Thirteen Lurking Promo

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 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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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Killing Eve” season 3 episode 7: “Beautiful Monster”

Happy Monday TV fans! After watching BBC America’s Killing Eve season 3 episode 7, I learned that “chaos disrupts…it’s monstrous, but it’s beautiful.” Sounds like our favorite assassin, but is Villanelle ready to leave the monster behind?

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. 

In last night’s episode, “Beautiful Monster,” Villanelle tries to convince everyone that she is ready for her next assignment, but killing may not come second nature to her anymore. Meanwhile, Eve attempts to track down Villanelle, realizing that she is her best chance at getting closer to The Twelve.

My top 5 moments from Killing Eve season 3 episode 7 are:

5

“You’re only as good as your last…”

Even though Villanelle was severely injured during her last assignment, she informs Elena that she is ready to get back to work and even has some creative ideas about how to use a dining chair to kill her.

Killing Eve 3 7 1 BBC America
Images courtesy of BBC America

Elena doesn’t seem threatened and reminds Villanelle that she is only as good as her last while throwing some strange over-sexualized energy her way. Villanelle agrees to take Dasha with her on the next assignment, but she’s ready to prove that she’s more than a “beautiful monster.”

4

“Heroes only get the girl in Hollywood.”

Meanwhile, Eve is back to her old self and is motivated to bring Villanelle into the fold. She tells Carolyn about Villanelle’s promotion and thinks that she might be their best chance at getting access to The Twelve.

Killing Eve 3 7 2 BBC America
Images courtesy of BBC America

Carolyn doesn’t seem too impressed and even tries to take back her re-gifted omelette, asking Eve about her true motives.

Heroes may only get the girl in Hollywood, but our Villaneve story isn’t over just yet.

3

“Kids…imagination.”

Konstantin has his hands full with Irina. After running over her mother’s partner, Irina is taken away and shows no signs of empathy. It is explained to Konstantin that she will be staying under close watch for a while and he is reminded to take this seriously.

Konstantin visits Irina and reminds her not to talk to anyone while she is locked away, but she seems determined to push his buttons even further. I can’t say that Konstantin is completely innocent in this since Irina has been watching the father/daughter relationship between him and Villanelle for way too long.

2

“You have lost it.”

We do get a fun adventure between Villanelle and Dasha. Dasha seems ready to get things over with, but we know that Villanelle loves portraying a fun new character. She even shows off some impressive golf skills and another killer accent with flair.

Killing Eve 3 7 3
Images courtesy of BBC America

Villanelle initially tells Dasha that she can have the kill, but Dasha sees right through her and recognizes that she may have lost her edge. Villanelle is determined to prove her wrong, but hesitates again and decides to strike Dasha with her golf club instead of her intended victim.

It looks like Villanelle has made her choice, wanting her way out of The Twelve, but is she ready to leave everything and everyone behind?

1

“We have to stop running into each other like that.”

Eve keeps missing Villanelle by literally only a few minutes, but she’s not about to give up. Villanelle gets ready to board a train with Konstantin, but he has a heart attack on the platform. Villanelle tells Konstantin that she doesn’t want him to die either, but thinks that he might and secures the information on the money before boarding the train.

Eve also comes by and says that she knows Konstantin, but she doesn’t stick around either to ensure that he gets to a hospital.

We get this fleeting Villaneve moment where Eve spots Villanelle on the train as they share a longing wave.

Later on, we learn that both Konstantin and Dasha are recovering in the hospital, but sadly Carolyn’s right hand man has been taken out.

We only have one episode left this season and it looks like we will be getting plenty of Villaneve screen time. Is Villanelle truly ready to be one of the good guys? I’m not sure, but it looks like Eve isn’t out of her sight just yet.

Stay tuned!

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

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

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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!

PLAY IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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