The Sister (2020) User Reviews

Try not to let the low score reviews scare you away

[whlwtcher · 7/10 · 22 March 2022]

Sometimes I can be a little disappointed in this site - used to be I could come here and get good, honest reviews that were spot on which made my decision on what to watch a no-brainer. Now? The ratings are either 10 or 1 - overly enthusiastic, raving, glowing, to the point of being fake down to the ones who will ramble about stuff not even associated with the show. Some even rate the show having only watched 20 minutes of it! Anyway, I'm so glad I didn't take the reviews or votes on this seriously, I would have missed out - this was a very interesting series.

To address some of what the other reviews whined about: Nathan and Holly not having chemistry - they both had issues that brought them together - her probably feeling guilt at having left the party without her sister and him for being with her sister when she died. Nathan even mentions that all he wanted to do was protect Holly and make her happy, perhaps trying to make up for what he had done. Could he have been replacing Elise with Holly? Had he known of Elise before the party? The way he was watching her at the party seems like he knew of her, maybe even had a crush on her. We never really get why Holly married Nathan - did she love him? Or was this her way of 'moving on', marrying someone who would take care of her. Either way, both are in the throes of depression, going through the motions of living and moving on with life. But evidence of depression can be found in Holly's drinking and the fact they have their home as somewhat of a shrine to Elise: Everywhere they turn there is a picture of Elise, still young, still beautiful, still full of life and promise. For Holly there is a reminder of guilt, that she left her sister and for him, what he did is literally staring him in the face every day.

Secondly, the pace of the series is good with the transition from past to present. It kept me on my toes - I thought I had it all figured out, but the twists and turns were good. The wrap up in episode four was good, didn't expect any of it. End was a little creepy - all in all, a good thriller, perfect length (4 episodes, binged it in one afternoon), good pacing and acting.

Give it a chance.

Someone please give Russel his lines.

[ToneBalone60 · 5/10 · 29 October 2020]

Good premise, good enough plot but abysmal acting.

Tovey looks as though he's constantly trying to remember where he is and what his lines are. He spends most of every scene in a trance struggling to breathe. The supporting cast are serving up the usual trope that fleshes out every crime filler right down to the female cop who seems far to intelligent to be friends with such a clueless family.

Bertie Calver is giving the full Dickensian villain Performance, unfortunately it's out of place in this production and would seem more at home in doctor Who.

Not bad, but nothing mind blowing.

[matix-jc · 7/10 · 23 March 2021]

If you're not an over-critical pillock like everyone and their mother seems to be these days, you might enjoy this brief but applicable mystery-thriller (with somewhat confused supernatural undertones, save for one major plot point).

Sure, the acting wasn't mesmerizing but I thought the direction was fine for a low budget 5 episode mini series (which, for me, was presented effectively).

That said, I tend to have minimal expectations for film and TV these days as 90% of the reviews I read are whiney, obnoxious and laughably belligerent; meant for work that is destined to go down in history as the bee's knees (which, for the majority of basic television and film, is never the case--though it would seem that many expect quite the opposite).

I went in knowing only the vague description that was for given each episode via my on demand info.

I enjoyed it for what it was.

While the ending was a little less than what I was hoping for by the 4th episode, I don't feel that my time was wasted watching this, nor would I feel any different if the current Covid lockdown measures were not in place.

Tldr; y'all need to learn to enjoy the simple things and stop expecting every new show or film to be masterpieces.

Quite Watchable

[vipor-18916 · 23 January 2021]

This was a pretty decent mini series that's about the guilt and aftermath of an event.

The show flits about here and there in time showing the lead up to said event but once it hits, the show stops jumping around.

There is a character in this that's odd and wonders of there are ghosts after we die, he is a famous radio medium (Derek Acorah like).

Russell Tovey is the star of the show and is becoming quite a good actor as he is branching out of comedy and started starring in more serious drama shows.

Give it a watch

Don't listen to negative reviews!

[josephinelebeau5 · 7/10 · 23 January 2021]

This mini series had a combination of mystery, suspense and aspects of a psychological thriller with a hint of the paranormal all in one. My favorite character was Bob- I've only seen that actor in a few things that I can recall, but I've enjoyed him every time. I was so anticipating the conclusion that I ended up watching the four episodes in one evening. I enjoyed the show overall and I'm glad I watched it. However there was a bit too much skipping around thru the three time periods in which this show takes place for my taste. Every once in a while I found the back flashes too jarring and a little confusing. Some also felt a little unnecessary, or maybe it's that the timing was off in the placement? Can't quite put my finger on it.

Also, I rather grew to dislike the main character, Nathan. I kept waiting to see if his character would redeem himself and his actions, but he just kept digging his hole deeper. I have to say though that as much as I always want to like or identify with the main character in some way- sometimes it's a nice surprise when a main protagonist turns into more of a 'villain' than a 'hero'. Of course this is a personal view of Nathan and what I took away from the character. I hope anyone who's a fan of the genre/genres will watch and decide for themselves!

QUITE A GOOD THRILLER!!

[chloegalley · 6/10 · 9 November 2020]

So don't understand the low score at all deserves a bit high than that. The sister is a 4 part British psychological thriller starring Russell Tovey. A good suspense series with a good cast. Very well directed even though it's a bit weird in places but I really like it. Don't go on by the low rating and watch for yourself to find out. It certainly is not boring me and mum I thought it was good. Give it a watch

Divorce

[broadheadalex · 1/10 · 30 October 2020]

The missus made me watch this show.

We are now getting divorced!!

Who is responsible for rubbish like this?

My favourite part was when something nearly happened and then nothing happened!

The acting is awful. The directing is terrible.

Anyway I'm off to the solicitors.

Bye

I like it

[c-m-f · 7/10 · 28 October 2020]

I think it was a good 1st episode and i am curious how the plot will unfold.

What did you do? What did you do?!

[cheungjudy · 2/10 · 30 October 2020]

Those are the lines that keep replaying in my head by Bob, but should be directed to the writers/producers of this drivel. As usual, the drama starts off with enough intrigue for you to watch the next episode. Then it all goes downhill and at the end, you wonder why you ever bothered. I never knew until now how bad Russell Tovey was at acting, but Bertie Carvel's annoying voice and character didn't surprise me as he was pretty awful in Doctor Foster. He's a poor man's Paul Kaye. The plot didn't make sense as it was so far fetched. Also, did Nathan have a problem with doors and keys, he seemed pretty incompetent in opening them.

Jesus, it wasn't that bad

[LNABRIE · 6/10 · 23 April 2023]

Not sure if the majority of other reviewers got super hyped up about this show, and were bitterly disappointed when it wasn't the best thing they've ever seen; but crikey, it isn't deserving of the plethora of 1-stars and vitriol.

Yes, it's slow, moody, and a bit shallow when it comes to character and plot development; but if you want a classic British TV thriller with a few twists and turns and you're not a complete misery guts that thinks everything should be a televisual marvel, this definitely isn't a bad way to spend 4 hours.

It works from an interesting angle, and you're kept guessing as to what's going to happen right until the end. Tovey is good, and plays his character well, and the colour palette and score support the tone of the piece. It does a stellar job of expressing the feeling of being trapped and weighed down by guilt, to an extent it was almost a little uncomfortable to watch.

There were definitely things that could have been done better, but all-in-all it was captivating and worth watching.

Dreadful dull

[wooflydog · 4/10 · 30 October 2020]

Cut to 3 episodes, maybe it would've been watchable, but the endless gormless silences between snatches of mumbled dialogue just overstrained my patience. The plot is good enough, apart from the kitschy bit of halloween at the end, but the main characters are so boring and unappealing, and the pace so slow that I lost all interest in their fates.

Creepy supernatural serial

[Maverick1962 · 8/10 · 6 November 2020]

Rather surprised by all the bad reviews here as my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed The Sister, a slow burning, creepy 4 part serial. Perhaps it's because viewers seem to be impatient today judging by the fast editing of many movies now. The Sister is perhaps old fashioned telly but we enjoyed Russell Tovey and Bertie Carvell's chemistry together. Mostly expressionless Russell and Fagin-like Bertie rather appealed to us, at least it kept us wanting to see the next episode. It's all a bit ghoulies and ghosties and things that go bump in the night but we liked that. I'll not say more in case you're planning to watch on a recording or re-run but if you're a patient viewer and like creepy plot lines, give it a go.

Not bad a bit implausible but fine performances

[tm-sheehan · 7/10 · 27 December 2020]

The main reason I watched The Sister was Russell Tovey who plays Nathan an odd character who ( no spoilers) marries the Sister of his dead girlfriend Elise. The recent ridiculous hoo/ ha controversy about James Cordon a heterosexual being cast as a flamboyant gay man in Netflix "The Prom" and in my opinion giving a wonderful light song and dance performance made me wonder . Why ! isn't the "Straight " community rallying and protesting about Russell Tovey a proud out Gay man being cast as a handsome heterosexual male married to a beautiful woman.? My answer is It doesn't matter a jot Actors Act that's there profession for heavens sake. If they have to simulate an intimate scene with a gender not of their persuasion they fake it because they act and want the role. The problem arises with Casting Directors and Producers who think just because an actor is open and honest about their sexual orientation that they won't seem credible to film going audiences. For Heavens sake give audiences credit to recognise a bad performance from Heterosexual or Homosexual male Female Trans or Fluid gender Actors for their acting ability not their sexuality. Russell Tovey is a very fine actor and deserves his success . Actors like Russell Tovey and Ben Whishaw are paving the way for other out gay actors to just be considered for their acting ability not their marketability. Is it a coincidence that these are British film actors? or is Hollywood and Australia still living in the Golden Era where Rock Hudson and Tab Hunter among others had to stay firmly in the closet at the peril of their career? Now that's not telling you much about the Sister except its well worth seeing this 4 episode mystery drama for the fine performances of Russell Tovey and Bertie Carvel as Bob a sinister and almost Dickensian character who turns up on Nathan's doorstep ten years after his girlfriend's death. The other very nice performances is from Amrita Archaria as The Sister Holly Fox who step by step finds out her husband has withheld crucial details of her sister's involvement with him before they married. The plot is interesting but implausible in many ways Neil Cross the writer of the fine Crime series Luther and Director Niall McCormack have created a story again just my opinion ( everyone has one) that would be better suited to a Hollywood suspense thriller of the 1950's or 1960's . In this enlightened crime solving era of DNA and mass ability to interrogate witnesses and get public support I found the flashback scenes lacking credibility. Saying that though without any spoiler alerts The Sister is entertaining and keeps your interest in the characters to its conclusion.

Possibly the worst ever

[meyoumoki · 1/10 · 30 October 2020]

Don't know where to start but perhaps the best place is the lead actor Tovey. Just painful to watch. This low grunty style that just didn't convince, apart from not understanding what he said most of the time. Every time his wife asked him a question it was facial moves and about 5 mins each time to answer her. This four part series was way too long and drawn out. He had guilty written all over him when confronted by his friends and the police yet they did not see that.

The script was way off beam and it was just painful to follow. I kept asking my wife ' what did he just say' but I guess this is a general problem these days as good sound producers seem to have all fell down a big hole.

I was very happy it just ended.

Good watch

[elsajonesb · 7/10 · 11 December 2020]

Was a good film to watch, had a bit of suspense, good performance by Bertie Carvel and Russell Tovey

Enjoyable, bug slow moving

[lyndareilly-84023 · 6/10 · 27 April 2023]

I thoroughly enjoy these British dramas. I really liked the supernatural element to the theme too! It was different! I thought there was just enough tension throughout, kept me watching right until the end. Although I will say, I hit the 'skip 10 seconds' arrow quite a lot,(watched on netflix) as there are aLOT of long pauses and dragged out time. It definitely adds to the tension in one sense, but not that much was needed I believe.

I really liked the Bob character, the actor was captivating, and I loved the voice and demeanor he portrayed.

I would definitely recommend it, if you enjoy the usual BBC dramas etc... And you're not needing anything fancy or fast moving. Just a good drama,with an intriguing, mysterious, thriller plotline.

Terrible

[matthewdavidwren · 1/10 · 31 October 2020]

Russell Tovey's portrayal of Nathan has to be the starting point for any review of this drama. There is absolutely NOTHING appealing about Nathan, he is listless and vacuous, and can barely string an audible sentence together.

I am not sure why Bertie Carvel had to put on such a ridiculously affected accent either. It seemed to detract from his performance rather than enhance it.

There are a lot of improbables in the plot too, such as it taking several days for Nathan to work out that Bob had also intended to kill him on that fateful night, and that such a morbidly dull Nathan could arrive in the life of a lucid Holly Fox's life and be the ray of light that saves her from the depths of her despair.

The ending is predictably open-ended with Bob lying in a coma, hoping that someone might be stupid enough to commission a second series.

Creepy

[StuDeb2 · 7/10 · 17 May 2023]

I enjoyed this series. It was very creepy. I don't agree with some of the comments that it was bad acting. I thought they were all very good. The lead man was supposed to be an emotional wreck as he was living with the guilt of it all.

It's a slow burn which I think a lot of people struggle with these days. Marvel and DC films have helped with that. Continual adrenaline rush. So anything remotely needing some thought is given a 1 rating. I've read some really scathing reviews about this series and I don't think it deserves it. It creeped me out when I watched the last episode and felt quite scared. That's what you want from a series.

A drama by numbers that has forgotten what the numbers were.

[henrybrown-terry · 3/10 · 29 October 2020]

Tovey's character is an all open mouthed mumbling, bumbling cardboard cliche. And as for Carvel's character with his lank hair and funny voice couldn't decide whether he was Fagin or Uriah Heep.

Brilliant first three episodes, subpar ending

[aistingaling · 7/10 · 29 October 2020]

First three episodes are stellar, great at unravelling the story and building tension. There's also great performances from both Russel Tovey and Bertie Cavell. However the ending is just meh, it's not terrible but it's not particularly satisfactory either, it's just meh. Well worth a watch but far from the best thing I've seen recently.

Confusion and no reality, and a central character who barely exists

[donaldkingdarkenergy · 1/10 · 29 October 2020]

What do Nathan and his wife do for a living? They seem to live in a million-pound house, but Nathan sits around worrying, while his wife deals with 'contracts.' When they first meet, Holly is an estate agent although she says that's not her real vocation. Nathan is something to do with a radio station, although he also mumbles something about being a car dealer to Holly. When they're married, we occasionally see Nathan working in a flashy-looking office of some sort. Holly's parents live in a sumptuous detached house with gardens running down to the Thames (?) What have they done to achieve this wealth? As for Nathan, he has no family and no siblings. His parents don't exist, and we know nothing about his background.

When Nathan is questioned by the police, how do they know he was at the party? Did they simply question every person who showed up on CCTV? Ditto Bob. Why did they question him? Why does the WPC deliberately tell Nathan that he is not a suspect, because the sister turns up the flat of her ex-boyfriend (who?) after Nathan & Bob appear to have buried her corpse? If the police really think Nathan is not a suspect, why does the WPC restart her investigations a few years later?

Is it 'just a coincidence' that our WPC happens to be a friend of Holly's family?

The whole thing (the 'final' episode is tonight) makes no sense, has no reality. It's set in a world where no one really exists. Maybe it will all be 'explained' tonight, but somehow I doubt it.

Wooow. Yall making me rethink a lot!

[RealBlvck · 8/10 · 1 February 2021]

I almost ALWAYS read reviews before seeing anything. But after seeing this series was only 4 episodes long, i decided to go head and watch with unbiased eyes. And all I gotta say is....yall tripping. Definitely watchable. Acting was believable. And the tension was surprising in the last two episodes, especially after truly knowing the characters. Man....let me go peep some of these other "5" star shows. I see some yall a little tooo picky.

OK

[maurs-10854 · 6/10 · 6 May 2021]

It kept me wondering what happened to the poor girl and why. The storyline was quite intriguing but the acting was woeful. There was no chemistry between the husband and wife and Bob with his gravelly voice was a put off. Maybe the fault lies with the direction as the story had merit. Shame. Could have been a lot better.

Why so many 2s and 3s......

[simolana63 · 1/10 · 30 October 2020]

........giving this a 1 is being kind! Absolutly shocking acting script., in fact, so bad it's laughable. Paint drying would win an Oscar in comparison.

Average

[leonidasstathopoulos · 6/10 · 17 January 2021]

Reading about the story might seem promising a lot...But when starts the acting, the characters, the story process, the finale... Something is missing... Something to make the promising become a really good series...It is not garbage,it is not a masterpiece Not from the high standards level of UK crime series...