Tag: Harlan Coben

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Perfect Mother” on Netflix: Quick French Thriller with a Solid Twist

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

“I’m in trouble…”

The Perfect Mother (Une Mère Parfaite) premiered on June 3rd 2022 on Netflix with four episodes available to stream now. The mystery-thriller series stars Julie Gayet, Eden Ducourant and Tomer Sisley. Each episode runs for approximately 45-50 minutes.

A mother risks everything to find out the truth when she learns that her daughter is a suspect in a murder investigation.

Here is the trailer:

The Perfect Mother is an addicting mystery thriller with a shocking ending. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

The Perfect Mother Spoiler Free 1

Images courtesy of Netflix

Easy to binge-watch.

With only four episodes, I was able to finish this series in a little over three hours. I think this was a really smart decision. This show could have easily gone off track if it had eight episodes like most Netflix series and it was refreshing watching something so quickly. I didn’t feel like I had to work to get to the end. It all just unraveled naturally and it was very entertaining to watch.

A twist I did not see coming!

Wow, what a twist! This was probably the best part of the series for me. I thought things were wrapping up and then we were thrown a curve ball that really made this series so much more enjoyable. 

The mystery was a good one, but the twist was truly fantastic. If you enjoy series like Pieces of Her and the Harlan Coben series, you will feel right at home with this one.

The Cons:

The Perfect Mother Spoiler Free 2

Images courtesy of Netflix

Unnecessary sub-plots and slow at times…

Since we only had four episodes, we didn’t really need the sub-plots mixed in. They slowed down the overall pace and they took away from the main mystery, which was decent enough. The episodes could have been a little shorter to keep things on track and I would have been fine with that.

So am I in or out?

The Perfect Mother Spoiler Free 3

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!

This series had a solid mystery with a fantastic twist worth sticking around for. If you’re looking for a quick series to binge-watch, you’re in the right place!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Perfect Mother 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 young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Stay Close” on Netflix: Harlan Coben does it again!

*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 Close 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 “Clickbait” on Netflix: I Could Not Stop Watching this Show!

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

“At five million views I die…”

Clickbait premiered on August 25th 2021 on Netflix. The limited series features eight episodes available to stream now. The show stars Adrian Grenier, Zoe Kazan, Betty Gabriel, Cameron Engels and Abraham Lim. Each episode runs for approximately 45-48 minutes.

Clickbait focuses on a man named Nick Brewer who has been kidnapped. After an online video is leaked, he is set to die for his supposed crimes if the video hits five million views, as his family and friends race against the clock to figure out the truth.

Here is the trailer:

Clickbait has an intriguing premise that pulls you in right away, making you contemplate everything and everyone. Is this series your next binge-watch obsession? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Hooks you from the start.

The series didn’t really waste any time. We were presented with minimal set-up and dove right into everything as a viral video begins making news, threatening a man’s life. The pacing was done extremely well in this show and I lost complete track of time watching this.

It is a binge-watcher’s dream and it will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Clever story-telling.

I really liked the way this story unfolded. Each episode focused on a different character as we were presented with new potential suspects and secrets that added to the puzzle. I thought this worked well because it allowed the viewer to become a participant in the show.

We weren’t just watching the plot. We were almost a part of it as we tried to tackle the case the way anyone would. This helped the show stand out from the Harlan Coben mysteries and Hit & Run. I love these shows and I was worried that Clickbait would pale in comparison, but this show managed to find its own identity by presenting the story this way and I thought it worked extremely well.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Slightly outrageous at times…

There were several plot points that had me scratching my head a little. I started to wonder how the police missed so many clues and I thought some reveals were a little bit over-the-top, but everything was still very entertaining so I can’t really fault it too much.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!

I finished this show really quickly and it kept me guessing until the end. I thought I had everything figured out and it threw me for a loop. 

This show was intense, fast-paced, and beyond addicting.

Your next obsession has arrived!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Clickbait 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!

**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!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Hit & Run” on Netflix: Engrossing Binge-Watch!

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

“Sometimes the truth just ends up causing more pain…”

Hit & Run premiered on Netflix on August 6th 2021. The Israeli-English series features nine episodes available to stream now. It stars Lior Raz, Sanaa Lathan, Kaelen Ohm, Moran Rosenblatt and Gregg Henry. Each episode runs for approximately 45-50 minutes.

After a man’s wife is killed in a hit and run accident in Tel Aviv, he suspects that her death may not have been an accident after all, leading him to New York City to discover the dangerous truth.

Here is the trailer:

Hit & Run immediately gives off a Harlan Coben-esque vibe with a touch of Taken mixed in, making it difficult to step away from the screen. Does it do enough to find its own identity? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Kick-ass action!

If you love movies like Taken, you will feel right at home with this one. Lior Raz is beyond brilliant as Segev. I was on the edge of my seat every single time he was on screen. I am also a huge fan of Sanaa Lathan and I thought she played her part extremely well.

While the show is centered around an addicting mystery of its own, the fight scenes and action really helped build up momentum at the center of the plot, which worked in the show’s favor.

Images courtesy of Netflix

The change of scenery worked.

The beginning of the series takes place in Tel Aviv. We got plenty of set-up and an initial horrific crime to hook us right from the start, but I really liked that this series decided to change things up and head to New York City. There was plenty going on in Tel Aviv, but I thought it really ramped up the mystery and brought more characters into play without ever skipping a beat.

Binge-watch friendly.

Each episode did enough to draw you in for more. Even though some episodes were longer than others, I kept finding myself pressing play immediately because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. We got bits and pieces of the puzzle with each episode and while there were some side plot-lines going on, they weren’t as confusing or as involved as some of the ones we see in the Harlan Coben mysteries.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Slow moving at first.

Don’t get me wrong, the first episode starts off with a bang, but some of the initial set-up in the first two episodes dragged a little bit for me. That being said, once I got to episode three, I was completely hooked and the pacing changed drastically.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!

Hit & Run is beyond worthy of your next binge-watch. This show was so addicting in all the right ways. That cliffhanger left me wanting more so I hope we get to see a season two, but wow what a show!

If you enjoy Taken, The Innocent, and Who Killed Sara, you are in for a real treat! While there were some similarities, this show found its own groove and took us on a wild ride without holding back.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Hit & Run 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!

**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!

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Innocent” on Netflix: “The Stranger” has finally met its match!

*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:

The Innocent Spoiler Free Review 1

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:

The Innocent Spoiler Free Review 2

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?

The Innocent Spoiler Free Review 3

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

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**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!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Who Killed Sara?” on Netflix: A Steamy Murder Mystery

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

Revenge can be a powerful motivator.

Who Killed Sara? premiered on Netflix on March 24th 2021 with ten episodes available to stream now. The series stars Manola Cardona, Alejandro Nones, Carolina Miranda, Ximena Lamadrid and Eugenio Siller. Each episode runs for approximately 40 minutes. 

The Mexican crime series, ¿Quién mató a Sara? centers around Alex, who was wrongfully framed for his sister’s murder. Eighteen years later, he is determined to get revenge and expose the real killer, as family secrets are exposed and new alliances are formed.

Here is the trailer:

Who Killed Sara? may initially seem like a soapy guilty pleasure drama and there is plenty of that to go around, but does the murder mystery measure up? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Sara 1

Images courtesy of Netflix

The murder mystery is a good one.

The series starts off with a bang. We are immediately brought into the center of the horrific flashback, which presents us with a horrible crime, setting up the motivation for our main character to get justice for the murder of his sister.

The murder mystery kept me invested the entire time. There are plenty of twists thrown our way to keep us guessing and I thought that the show did a good job of presenting us with multiple suspects without giving too much away.

The overall pacing of the show worked really well. The episodes are short and the flashbacks were actually relevant and furthered the plot along.

Sara 2

Images courtesy of Netflix

Characters to root for.

There are some really awful characters in this show, but the main characters have complex stories and layers. I felt the chemistry between them and I also wanted to know more about each and every one of them. As secrets and dark pasts are revealed, you start to piece together the mystery at the center of it all, which worked well.

The Cons:

Sara 3

Images courtesy of Netflix

Unnecessary and outrageous subplots.

There are a lot of characters and a lot of subplots to keep up with. Plus, we get a lot of unnecessary and extra sex scenes that pushed this thriller over to the soap opera side, but I thought we were reeled in enough by the mystery to prevent this from overpowering the show.

However, I thought some of the dialogue and references seemed outdated and ridiculous. If we start to map together how our main character is figuring this all out and how others are getting away with things, everything starts to become a bit silly, but as long as we manage our expectations, the guilty pleasure mystery is enough to keep us entertained.

So am I in or out?

Sara 4

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!

Yes, the show can be borderline outrageous and ridiculous, but it also delivers a well thought out mystery that keeps you wanting more. This show is the definition of a guilty pleasure binge-watch. If you enjoy the UK Harlan Coben mysteries and shows like The Undoing, you will feel right at home.

Who Killed Sara? was thoroughly entertaining and it kept me guessing until that cliffhanger ending. Wow! Luckily, Netflix has already confirmed that we can expect to see a second season in the future. Phew!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Who Killed Sara? 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 is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**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!

Spoiler-Free Review of Harlan Coben’s “The Woods” on Netflix

**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 features 6 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:

The Woods Netflix 1
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.

The Woods Netflix 2
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.

The Woods Netflix 3
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:

The Woods Netflix 4
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?

The Woods Netflix 6
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 Stranger here!  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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! I hope you enjoy!

READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Safe” on Netflix: The Perfect Binge-Watch for fans of “The Stranger”

**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 features 8 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:

Safe Netflix 4
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.

Safe Netflix 7
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:

Safe Netflix 5
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?

Safe Netflix 6
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 Stranger here!  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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**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!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Stranger” on Netflix: A Complex Thriller Worthy of your next Binge-Watch

**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:

The Stranger Netflix 4
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:

The Stranger Netflix Show 1
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?

The Stranger Netflix Show 2
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

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