'The Stranger' Review: The miniseries is a compelling watch and a remarkable piece of storytelling
This is a spoiler-free review
Everybody has a secret. Some may kill to keep it that way, and some come perilously close to killing to know what it is. And again, how big is the secret is a perception. Secrets are like those resounding slaps flush on the face. And eventually, secrets come with their share of trust. And 'The Stranger' starts off with a secret being revealed. And that's enough to set the tone for what can be rightfully termed as a gripping, psychological thriller. Based on Harlan Coben's novel by the same name, the eight-part miniseries follows Adam Price (Richard Armitage), an ordinary man whose life changes when the Stranger tells him a devastating secret about his wife.
It is a picture-perfect life for the Prices. Teen sons, a beautiful and loving wife, a good home and all that until a stranger pops up and plants the seed of doubt. And all this happens so quickly that anyone in Price's place could just ask themselves show it all went wrong.
And this is probably the least of Price's problems. The thriller also weaves in multiple storylines that lend greater depth to the series making it a more compelling watch. While those who have read the book would know how it ends, 'The Stranger' as a streaming service content piece deserves a watch simply because of the crisp and tightened storyline and the raw emotions bared out by an impeccably-talented cast.
'The Stranger' has a few changes when compared to the book. While it may be a more condensed version, the events take place in the UK instead of the US and also changing the character's genders from the book. And it works. Apart from Armitage, the series boasts of a slew of talented actors in Siobhan Finneran ('Happy Valley' and 'Downton Abbey'), Hannah John-Kamen ('Ready Player One' and 'Ant-Man and The Wasp), Jennifer Saunders ('French and Saunders'), and Dervla Kirwan ('Goodnight Sweetheart').
'The Stranger' believes in the idea of hitting people bloody hard at their weak spots and that makes the series a gut-wrenching watch. Directors Daniel O'Hara and Hannah Quinn manage to ensure that the feeling of something sinister and suspenseful is just around the corner never leaves. They put Corrine Price (Kirwan) in a state where she cannot reveal details to her husband and that puts him and the lives around the family at stake.
The miniseries is a compelling watch and a remarkable piece of storytelling. Each plotline is meticulously crafted to bring out the intrigue factor.
With this, Netflix can count on some staggering viewership numbers.
'The Stranger' arrives on January 30 on Netflix.