This drama pretty accurately captures the life of a family in the deep south of New Zealand and gives an interesting account of a notorious multiple homicide. Although it may be difficult for viewers outside New Zealand to appreciate the nuisances and cultural references the series is well done and the drama is well portrayed.
16 Reviews
Liking so far
Headturner117 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Reminds me of White house farm a bit down to the killings. So far it's pretty goog for a NZ show( I haven't seen many good ones from there). I was not familiar with the true story and was confused when I watched an episode last night and it claims the two people who did it ( it says one for sure any ways). I'm going to go look up the true story. I recommend if you liked stuff like White house farm, The widow, etc.
Making the case for the orignal verdict
rupcousens18 August 2022
This has recently been aired in the UK as 'The Bain Family Murders'. For someone without any prior knowledge of the case and the long legal story that followed, the series seems determined to convince us that the original jury got it right all along.
It's an evocative and well-played piece of work, with a very strong sense of time and place, but it would have done well to present a more nuanced picture. It's also at least an episode too long.
It's an evocative and well-played piece of work, with a very strong sense of time and place, but it would have done well to present a more nuanced picture. It's also at least an episode too long.
Only starting???
shirleycoosan24 December 2020
Intriguing but overlong
Vindelander16 August 2022
A very unusual true story about a very weird family. Overall it a fascinating watch but it's an episode too long and doesn't cover the police work in nearly enough detail.
Good cast and acting and I think this could have been really outstanding with tighter screenplay and better balance of forensic police work with the psychological aspects of the characters.
Well worth watching though.
Good cast and acting and I think this could have been really outstanding with tighter screenplay and better balance of forensic police work with the psychological aspects of the characters.
Well worth watching though.
Black hands is one of the must see tv series you might miss! It's a great mini series and much under appreciated.
stephanieannehunterlovesjeff3 July 2021
I accidently landed on this series when there are tons and tons of brand new major headliner series all lined up on Netflix... This one black hands hasn't gotten nearly the spotlight it deserves. I decided to give it a shot. I dislike wasting my time in tv exspcially if it's not good tv. I am picky. Within the first two minutes I believe ai knew ai was hooked ! This is a true story if you like action horror true crime this is the one for you.
Way to long
jsmorol12 December 2020
Dissapointing
AlanDouglas7421 November 2020
Considering this was NZ's longest running (1994-2017) and most expensive legal case and is still classified as an 'unsolved' murder, Black Hands only scratches the surface and should have been better. Therefore its disappointing and unlikely to appeal to non-New Zealanders.
An excellent portrayal of a dysfunctional Family.
breedwaldron30 November 2020
Full kudos to all involved in the making of this drama.The acting was right on par from what I personally knew of the Cullen Bains.The attention to detail was 100% spot on,from the run down house to the sweeping views of the Otago coast and the Dunedin land marks.This drama is an excellent insight into what was one of New Zealand's most talked about murders.Well worth a watch.
A Let Down
atta-5795228 November 2020
These murders happened before I was born but have fascinated NZ my entire life. I was hoping to see new theories or something original but basically its all just the same thing we already know. Where is Joe Karam in the story? Without him David Bain would still be in prison. Some of Black Hands is well filmed, but there are really boring scenes too. I was looking forward to this series but it's a let down.
Amazing.
chrishayes73710 June 2021
Stunning Acting
beneidtheman24 March 2021
I follow a lot of actors outsode the US... Mainly because they are way better than American actors. This show was top notch. Emotion amd scripting were great. Loved it!!!The US would do well to show stuff like this. Their drama is non existent tripe!!!
Engrossing and brilliant storytelling
queenofrock6610 January 2022
Up to episode 3 and I am unfamiliar with the true story but I'm hooked.. it is well paced and so full of pathos for all the flawed characters. Each with a role in the outcome that is revealed in the first scene. I can't wait to see how the remaining episodes.
A Stunning Portrayal of an Imlpoding Family...
elrae30 November 2020
Brilliant acting & outstanding production values, great storytelling about the family who really we never got to know at the time...a real tragedy writ large, to be fair you may need to do a little research to get the most out of it... hats off to newcomers Richard Crouchley & Amelia Elliot... completely believable...Joel Tobeck is a master & the rest of the cast excel as well... well done all and thanks for making this!
Enthralling
nothingisforbidden14 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Episode after episode, this true-life crime drama kept me completely enthralled. The characters are so vivid, I actually felt I knew the members of this family, which was a bit unnerving. The Satan-mad mother, the ambiguous son, the cowed father, the wayward sister...just amazing. I must admit I was a bit disappointed by the lady-or-the-tiger ending, but at the same time it seemed the only possible way to conclude, given what we know (and can ever know) about the circumstances.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
