Netflix murder mystery is crazy
Netflix’s ‘His & Hers’, based on the critically acclaimed novel by Alice Feeney and adapted for television by William Oldroyd, seems at first glance to be a typical, if compelling, mystery thriller full of death, secrets and lies. But as the limited series unfolds, audiences soon realize that there is nothing normal about this show. At the center of the story is Anna (a fascinating Tessa Thompson), a sidelined news anchor from Atlanta who tries to reclaim her career through a shocking murder case. However, a volatile detective, Jack (Jon Bernthal), who leads the investigation, becomes increasingly concerned that Anna has other motives. A delightful, detailed story focusing on women’s revenge, anger and deceit. ‘His & Hers’ seeps into your psyche and changes everything you thought you knew.
Like many mysteries, “His & Hers” begins with a tragic scene. In the woods around Dahlonega, Georgia, a dead woman, Rachel (Jamie Tisdale), lies sprawled on the hood of a cherry-red sports car. The persistent rain beats down on her, washing away most of the evidence. Elsewhere in Atlanta, Anna walks into her luxury apartment, soaked and crying. Her apartment is in complete disarray. There are papers, takeaway containers and half-drunk alcohol bottles everywhere. But this is Anna’s last day of wallowing in her own self-pity. Anna is disgusted after seeing a huge billboard of the host who has taken over her job, Lexy Jones (Rebecca Rittenhouse), and has decided that her year-long work hiatus is over. It’s time to return to reclaim her desk.
In Dahlonega, Jack receives a call from his partner Priya (Sunita Mani) who tells him that a body has been found. Although Jack tries to keep the news quiet, word has already begun to spread across the small town. Anna even convinces her boss to let her work as a field reporter covering the case in an attempt to save her career. With her cameraman Richard (Pablo Schreiber) in tow (who also happens to be Lexy’s husband), she heads to her hometown, determined to win back the network and its viewers.
But this won’t be an easy investigation for Anna or Jack. After a devastating loss that left her a recluse, Anna still acts strangely and always conveniently appears in strange places in Dahlonega. For his part, Jack is also a whimsical figure. Although he appears to be a decent investigator at first glance, his choices begin to worry Priya, who begins to view him suspiciously as more facts about Rachel’s death come to light.
At its core, ‘His & Hers’ has all the delightful elements of a great thriller. Thompson and Bernthal are formidable in their roles, and there are enough twists to keep even the most attentive viewer on their toes. The pacing is fantastic, and with only six snappy episodes, the show is packed with details from Anna’s past to her present. Yet this isn’t the show you think it is, and that’s why it’s masterful.
While murder and mayhem are at its core, ‘His & Hers’ is a series about the fear we feel as human beings, the incidents we would like to forget, how we try to forgive ourselves after harming others and what anger can do when carefully cultivated and used deliberately and deliberately. Society pressures people to move on after terrible things happen to them, and while many do, others choose to respond differently. After all, anger can be a great motivator.
There’s no shortage of limited series on TV, especially as streamers try to land top talent who might otherwise be unwilling to commit to longer shows. However, ‘His & Hers’ is one of the most unhinged shows ever seen on television. It has a breathtaking, layered ending that will leave viewers stunned. (I literally sat in shock and continuously screamed “WHAT?!” as the credits rolled.) The conclusion of the series is so amazing because it plays on our own societal prejudices. We continually overlook and underestimate those deemed “worthless,” and according to this story, it is at our own peril.
“His & Hers” is now available to stream on Netflix.
