'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' Review: Netflix's mystery drama is perfect for fans of iconic teen detective
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Netflix is on a roll this year, consistently surprising viewers with exceptional content, and the latest teen mystery thriller 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' is a testament to this.
Based on Holly Jackson's book of the same name, the show will transport you into the intriguing world of an unsolved murder mystery, in which our protagonist Pippa Fitz-Amobi (Emma Myers) takes on the mission of unraveling the tangled murder mystery of Andie Bell (India Lillie Davies) and her boyfriend Sal Singh (Rahul Pattni ), who was accused of killing her but was later found to be dead.
As I binge-watched the show, I was completely engrossed because the six-episode series delivers a gripping combination of mystery, intrigue, coming-of-age, and twists that will keep you on the tip of your seats.
Another beauty of the show which is similar to this year's hit show, 'Presumed Innocent' is its ability to maintain the mystery around the real culprit.
The show's clever screenplay, intriguing characters, and hearty dosage of teenage angst make it a striking twist on the mystery genre.
Masterful direction elevates 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder'
Dolly Wells and Tom Vaughan's direction is a careful touch of integrating suspense, drama, and lightheartedness as their direction injects new and young energy into the series, capturing the core of Holly Jackson's book while introducing a distinctive visual flair.
Wells and Vaughan construct a visually appealing narrative that pulls viewers into the small-town mystery of Little Kilton, employing dynamic camera work and precise pacing to keep the audience guessing.
Furthermore, the short 40-minute episodes move quickly, ensuring that viewers stay focused as the narrative steadily develops, presenting fresh clues and suspects with each episode, and keeping fans guessing until the big revelation.
Emma Myers shines as Pip in 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder'
The show's plot is enhanced by its magnificent ensemble, which brings characters to life with realism and depth.
Emma Myers is outstanding as Pip Fitz-Amobi, adding a refreshing honesty and relatability to the part of the determined amateur detective. Her depiction of an inquisitive teenage girl navigating the intricacies of adolescence while solving a dark mystery is both captivating and entertaining.
Although she is well-known for her portrayal of Enid Sinclair in 'Wednesday,' I believe her performance in this series will mark a watershed moment in her career since she is the protagonist and carries the show brilliantly.
Zain Iqbal as Ravi Singh delivers another excellent performance, portraying a young guy devastated by his brother's awful destiny. Iqbal and Myers have genuine chemistry, which adds depth to their collaboration as they probe further into the case.
Asha Banks, who plays Cara Ward, brings warmth and a grounded presence to the show. Her interactions with Pip add dimension to the plot, illustrating the difficulties of adolescent friendship within a dark and convoluted quest.
The supporting ensemble, which includes seasoned performers like Anna Maxwell Martin and Gary Beadle as Pip's parents, gives strong performances that ground the younger players' parts.
Mathew Baynton, as Cara's father, Elliot Ward, delivers a nuanced portrayal that complements the main plot, and of course, he comes off fishy as he harbors a secret that will blow your mind.
Overall, the series is incredibly captivating and successfully maintains the essence of its source material, and yes, if you are into some Nancy Drew kind of action, I propose you give 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' a chance.
'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' trailer