British shows are more fiery than British films, wouldn’t you agree?
Some recent series from the country, including Obsession, Bodies, and Who is Erin Carter? hint at a possible straightforward answer.
So, it is natural if you are excited about Fool Me Once, the latest show from the region, and the first original series of 2024 on Netflix.
It is a suspenseful creation based on the novel of the same name by Harlan Coben. Here is my review of the series which spans eight episodes and over six hours.
Fool Me Once Synopsis
Weeks after her husband’s funeral, Maya sees him in a nanny cam. Can she find the truth when no one is ready to believe her radical theory?
Directed by David Moore, and Nimer Rashed, Fool Me Once stars Michelle Keegan (Maya), Richard Armitage (Joe), Natalie Anderson (Claire), Adelle Leonce (Eva), James Northcote (Neil), Emmett J. Scanlan (Shane), Marcus Garvey (Eddie), Danya Griver (Abby), Hattie Morahan (Caroline), Adeel Akhtar (Sami Kierce), Clara Indrani (Molly), and others.
What Works for Fool Me Once?
The most striking attraction is the show’s premise that of a woman seeing her dead husband in a nanny cam.
It just pulls you to start binge-watching or at least add the series to the top of your watchlist.
Maya and Joe have a happy life together but on a dreadful night, some bikers fire shots at Joe, killing him in front of his wife.
Weeks after the incident, the cops are yet to find a single clue deciphering the mystery behind his murder.
Now, since Maya lives alone with her daughter, her friend suggests planting a nanny camera to keep an eye on the nursey who looks after the kid when she’s away for work.
Randomly going through the footage, Maya is stunned to find Joe visiting their kid in her absence.
What happens beyond this point seals the fate of Fool Me Once.
The visibly suspenseful concept is adeptly executed by the creators. A gloomy, foreboding, and dark atmosphere consistently remains in the background.
It gives you a sense of intrigue, where inquisitiveness takes over your mind.
The story’s different parts, its elements of twists, surprises, and mysteries ably glue you and keep you on the tenterhooks for the majority of the series.
Importantly, the writing never lets the grip loose. So, chances are you’d finish the show in one or, at the most, a couple of sittings.
Moving forward, Fool Me Once chips ahead on the back of its stirring screenplay, powered by a brisk pace.
All the characters are given importance, plus they are put in situations that don’t seem forced.
Therefore, when the plot unfurls the climax, you can witness a feeling of satisfaction, which wouldn’t have been the case had the threads of the storyline been casually stitched together.
Need I say the show’s origins in a novel have a role to play here?
Furthermore, every episode is laced with moments of utter fascination, specifically towards the end when buildups find a friend in stimulating background music.
Lastly, the finale is also quite good but the efforts put in to make it flashy are visible.
How are the Performances?
Michelle Keegan is in the lead role depicting Maya. As an able protagonist, she rides on her character’s upbringing, standing like a sturdy wall that keeps the storm of possible snags away from belittling the show.
Her comportment is fierce and her screen presence is staggering. You can rest assured whenever Maya takes centerstage, which is a normal feature of Fool Me Once.
Adeel Akhtar portrays Sami Kierce. His rough appearance makes him actually look like a real-life cop, ditching the likes we are mostly used to seeing in movies.
His dialogue delivery and the impromptu variations therein push Sami’s act several notches higher. The genuine expressions on his face add logistical weight to Fool Me Once.
I cannot get over his eccentric way of movie his body while turning behind.
Emmett J. Scanlan is Shane in this British suspense thriller. He aces a pretty deadpan-ish character. You will doubt his integrity at times, thanks to a very honest performance from the actor.
I also liked Dino Fetscher who plays Marty. His humorous mien brings a lighter dimension to the series, which, in turn, allows Adeel to join the party with his witty one-liners.
Richard Armitage has a very short role in Fool Me Once. So, commenting on his performance wouldn’t be justified.
What Doesn’t Work for Fool Me Once?
Like any other suspenseful show, Fool Me Once also invites you to predict its plot. And, if you put your mind to it, you will be able to crack the mystery, even though it is well hidden.
Moreover, in the middle phase, the series tries to confuse the viewer by beating around the bush using elements that could have been wrapped in a shorter duration.
Although it doesn’t hit you at the time, when the series ends, you wonder if there was a chance to curtail the length.
There are a few questions I have but they cannot be mentioned here for the sake of keeping this review spoiler-free.
Maybe, in another blog, I would put forward my thoughts.
Stream or Skip?
Fool Me Once is a satiable suspense thriller and you should give it a go.
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