Halifax: Retribution (2020) User Reviews

Loved it. Binge watched all episodes!

[chillpenn · 8/10 · 8 June 2021]

Okay, looks like I'm the odd one out on this, but other than the ridiculous music tracks I thought it was really, really good. I wonder if it has anything to do with not being an Aussie (I'm in US) or a matter of personal preference? I found it compelling, other than an annoying mother/daughter relationship- I wanted the daughter to get her act together and stop being a pouting, slouching child. Hint: She's not a child, old enough to hang out at bars and such.

And the music. Way, way overdone, like a music video instead of background or theme music. Either it got better or I got used to after the first couple of episodes.

I liked trying to figure out who was being targeted and why. How it compares to a real investigation didn't matter so much as the mystery our psychiatrist is trying to solve.

Somewhat disapointed

[pub-21 · 7/10 · 1 November 2020]

I was expecting something better. Some of the acting performances were shockers, in particular Anthony LaPaglia. I have admired his past work but he was way off in this one, he will have to pull one out of the hat to gain any praise from me again. The plot was too far fetched, scriptwriters struggling to keep viewer entertained. Also very little research went into keeping things looking real. Overall I still give it a 7 as it's my favourite genre, I must watch anything RG is in and I recorded it and will watch it again in a year or so.

Average series with annoying music

[infantigeorge · 6/10 · 2 September 2020]

I have been waiting for this series to air with great expectations. The first thing that sticks out is that the music has vocal songs throughout which if anything was the most annoying of all. The acting and scenes are uninspiring to say the least. After watching episodes 1 and 2, I will give it one more chance.

typically ham-fisted series from Australia's commercial TV

[jazfro · 27 August 2020]

This is par for the course for Australia's largest commercial TV network. It's reasonably well made and acted, but the tone and approach of the script are tugging clumsily at stereotypical tropes that have been seen many times. The characterization is cliche'd, the emotions are forced, the script comes straight from a 'true crime' tabloid formula that tries to sensationalise the story, but without any real substance. Then again, in the current absence of good quality new TV drama, I guess it will have to do, if you can suspend your disbelief. 6/10

love this

[ajwest-05527 · 10/10 · 8 September 2020]

Soon as i saw this first episode i was hooked i re watched the first two episodes for clues on who the killer could be im thinking it might be someone from an old case the killers is killing men who cheat on their partners

Played like a music video.

[rkf1206 · 6/10 · 20 June 2021]

Written after watching only 3 episodes. The music. The music was too overbearing and distracted from the story.

Loved it!

[torifuntv · 10/10 · 6 February 2021]

With Rebecca Gibney being my favorite actress and Crime/Drama being my favorite genre I just had to watch this. I've been hooked from the first episode on and watched it within two days. Gibney's performance is as stunning as ever and, despite other reviews I've read on here, I found the storyline to be quite interesting. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but to me it is definitely worth watching. 👏🏼

Not bad, could have been better

[bill-25525 · 7/10 · 21 September 2021]

Not nearly as good as the British police shows. Character development just not as good as the Brit's. More like and American TV show. Why would the lead character, who is herself in danger, and knows it, try to get rid of her security detail for herself and step-daughter? Anyone in her situation would want as much security as possible. The music, with vocals, is a bit too frequent and too intrusive. The frequent drone shots above Melbourne are interesting, I think, and convey the impression of a major, lively urban area.

Well we really enjoyed it!!!!!

[breedonbaggie · 10/10 · 4 September 2022]

We were really amazed by some of the other reviews, we have found it to be a great series, Rebecca Gibney is always great, and Mavournee Hazel was excellent as well.

I actually enjoyed the background music, I must admit that's possibly because I already had three of the songs in my music collection already, and we're only up to Episode 4! Anthony Lapaglia was ok, he always does a competent job, and the cinematography of Melbourne was very good.

An excellent thriller that was good to watch. Australian shows are always a bit different but very watchable and if you like Rebecca Gibney try Wanted - it's great!

A gripping crime drama

[aussiekiwitvlover · 7/10 · 23 May 2023]

Having not seen the original telemovies, 'Halifax Retribution' was my first taste of the character of Jane Halifax and her involvement in comprehending crimes.

'Halifax Retribution' focusses on a sniper who is terrorizing the city of Melbourne. He targets his victims from tall buildings and then flees the scene. It is up to Jane Halifax, to piece together who is using this sniper, why they are doing it and understand the pattern in the victims that are targeted.

This series is wonderfully shot, with frequent use of aerial cinematography to amplify the scale of the situation that sends Melbourne quaking in its boots and highlight the beauty of the city. Rebecca Gibney delivers a strong performance as Jane Halifax, with flashbacks useful for new viewers to understand some of the trauma she experienced on the job in the past. Claudia Karvan was particularly excellent playing a narcistic character, different to some of her usual roles.

Personally I preferred the earlier episodes and like the use of music in some scenes to add emotional impact. There were some parts of the story that could have gone a different way and had more twists and turns. A gripping, binge worthy watch for a rainy day.

Wine Bottles, Wine Glasses, Wine Drinking GALORE all set to Ba-a-ad Music

[catherine-albrecht · 1/10 · 13 June 2021]

I never saw so much wine drinking. I hated this series. Stoopid dialoge, stoopid detectives. How did these characters ever get hired in law enforcement? Also, I agree with the reviewer who said that when a sniper is on the loose, you stay away from large windows. It was incredible that the safe house had floor-to-ceiling windows and a giant walkout balcony. Whoever wrote this dribble needs to be fired. I, too, turned down the sound many times because of the vapid music. I'm just rambling here. I hated, hated the character of Mandy. She was just cookie cutter evil. This whole series was filled with lots of actors overacting in a very poorly written show. Fire these writers and producers and go watch the movie Bullitt with Steve McQueen. Now those screenwriters knew how to keep you on the edge of your seat. Also, what is with all the wine drinking? Oh, did I mention I hated this series?

Loving It

[morganjackie · 9/10 · 5 September 2020]

Really enjoying this series. Always love Rebecca Gibney's acting, especially in Halifax. Worth watching 👍

Muted the Horrendous Music

[cloud-printe_z · 1/10 · 3 June 2021]

Because I had to mute the annoying music, I was very glad to have CC. BTW, way too much of the show was just scenes with only unbearable music--no dialogue. So, I watched mostly in silence. Finally, I was so disinterested, I didn't endure to the end. I went onto something else.

Really?

[bsloughrin · 4 January 2021]

Are Australian law enforcement agencies truly as incompetent as portrayed here? Or is the stupidity limited to those who created and aired this nonsense

Excellent

[rose-93605 · 10/10 · 29 September 2020]

Love the new series and we are both grateful Halifax is back. Brilliant writing, directing and as always, very credible acting from Rebecca Gibney to the rest of the cast. I hope we get many more series ahead as we "inhale" each weekly episode.

Music video aspect disconcerting

[uni-404-263652 · 8/10 · 30 June 2021]

Like the actors and story line so going to try to stick with it.

Anger Issues

[westsideschl · 8/10 · 13 August 2021]

Yes, another personal & interdepartmental issues backdrop to, yes, another sniper with seething anger against corporate/government acquiescing to money at the expense of humans & nature. Usual twists as our forensic psychiatrist helps the Aussie police catch our baddie. The usual twists, however, were well done, current & intelligently presented. Yes, a bit long as we gradually learn that our baddie is becoming (unrealistically) resourceful.

Extremely Dissapointing

[info-53215 · 4/10 · 1 September 2020]

Was looking forward to the new series but after watching the first two episodes I found it too be very ordinary. Too many shots of Melbourne, terrible music and Anthony La Paglia's acting was appalling !!!!

Whoop

[bevo-13678 · 10/10 · 6 October 2020]

Brilliant acting, wonderful story and an awesome soundtrack. Bravo

Very poor effort.

[thescipios · 1/10 · 22 August 2021]

This show is a bad music video masquerading as a cop/detective show. It is awful. I have noticed a number of Australian shows in recent years that all suffer from the same ridiculous casting disease. Everyone in the show, including random passers by in street scenes, is gorgeous and dressed like they've been shopping on Rodeo Drive or it's Australian equivalent. Certainly the leads of most shows made anywhere in the world are going to be good looking but does every flipping person in any possible scene have to be simply stunning? This is not very realistic and instantly pulls one out of buying into the story.

And as others have mentioned here the characters portraying police that ought to know better do the most idiotic behavior. This is a poorly written series.

And what is with the constant truly lousy music (with bad vocals)? The music video element of this series is horrendous and very, very lazy. Try putting in more effort into the writing of the show and you won't have to pad out episodes with such lousy filler.

Excellent viewing

[wayneholdsworth-07857 · 2 September 2020]

Rebecca and Anthony are brilliant and I cannot wait for episode 3, I have so many others glued to their screens as well!!

Reminds me of The Fall

[billcarr31 · 8/10 · 9 November 2021]

Watching this series I was frequently reminded of the Fall and wondered if the writer had seen that series. Same strong central character surrounded by sometimes semi competent colleges . Of course Halifax has a lot more personal baggage than Stella Gibson who seemed to have no life outside her job. Plus of course she is a psychologist not a police Inspector The Fall managed to sustain the suspense better as the villain was part of the acting, whereas in Halifax he was for most of the series a mystery man only seen shooting his rifle. At times it dragged and could perhaps have been a couple of episodes shorter. Not quite sure how the inclusion of LaPaglia was helpful, as he spent a lot of his time on self pity and booze.

Still quite a good dramatic series.

Chilling

[ccm399 · 9/10 · 18 February 2022]

I think Halifax:Retribution deserves more than a 6.9. I binged on the series, even though I knew what the outcome would be. What caught me by surprise was Mandy.

My Australian colleagues - I feel your pain

[refordgarry · 2/10 · 17 September 2020]

In this Retribution for wanting to watch something decent we've got the "problem" of some nutter shooting random people with war weapons & splattering them all over Melbourne, with reactive vigilante groups comprised of nasty, vicious, armed white men (the only remaining racial profile you can openly vilify without consequences), and this Jane Halifax forensic psychologist lady, who, from the start has this problem licked, colluding with a State willing to negate civil rights & humane treatment of suspects, whilst advocating public facial recognition. An' all this "despite" her lackadaisical, uniformed male "helpers", who are Alcoholics, Neanderthals, Dullards, or a mixture of the 3. You couldn't make this stuff up! The difference between "Halifax Retribution" and "Band of Brothers", or "Saving Private Ryan" is that the latter 2 were fantastic Wartime Dramas and this one's not even War, but some Hegelian construct, put together with State money. Those liking this must be happy-go-lucky fans of superficial stuff, the establishment's "soma" for the masses. But sometimes you need to be conscious enough to look a little deeper.

Guns bad. Men stupid. Women good.

[yywwide · 1/10 · 25 April 2023]

They try to make it seem like an action tv series. It's really about divorce, some lame family issues, and how bad, bad white men with guns are. It's about 5 minutes of the plot every hour with most of being women and family issues while all the men act stupid and guns are bad...bad. Guns bad. Government good. Guns bad. Do what the government tell you to do. Think what they tell you to think. Watch shows like this. Conform. Obey. Guns bad. Government good. Guns bad. Do what the government tell you to do. Think what they tell you to think. Watch shows like this. Conform. Obey. Seriously who likes these lame shows??? Only sheep who can't see the point of them.