The Cry (I) (2018) User Reviews

It's a rather sad Jigsaw puzzle.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 31 October 2018]

The Cry wasn't given a huge deal of publicity, it kind of got lost amongst snappier dramas, such as Bodyguard, and Killing Eve. It deals with a pretty sad story, it's gritty, intriguing, moving, and does a great job making you feel things. As you watch you feel pity, hatred and justice, it's cleverly played out. Coleman's performance is very, very good, as it progresses it makes sense why she is how she is.

If I'm being honest, I'd say it feels padded at times, they could have perhaps condensed it into three hour parts, or two ninety minute parts, to make it a little snappier.

Overall it's very good, very moving. 8/10

Pretty Solid

[my_method · 8/10 · 21 October 2018]

A solid drama that left me looking forward to the next episode. Can't help but wonder if the writers feel a certain way about what happened to Madeleine McCann...

Got me hooked

[ronniesudden · 8/10 · 19 October 2018]

Bit dubious before I watched the first episode but soon got me interested and curious. Bit of a similar Maddie situation but has its own story to tell. Love the interaction between Scotland and Australia and all the actors play their role well. Well worth the effort.

A standing ovation for Jenna Coleman!

[tutkuzengin · 31 October 2018]

This is my first review, normally I read couple of reviews and decide whether I want to watch it or not. I decided to write this time because Jenna Coleman you were amazing! Your acting penetrated right to my bones... The script was well written and I loved every detail. I watched it in a day and haven't done that since high school. For those who are reading reviews don't waste any time here. Just go and watch this amazing show!

Ps. Don't forget a handkerchief, because it gets really emotional!

Too Long

[annette-pulliam · 7/10 · 19 August 2020]

Too long. Characters not likable. Unbelievable that she would have put her medicine in the same type of bottle as the baby's. Liked the twist at the end.

Best show I've seen this year

[davidbogensberger · 10/10 · 16 December 2018]

The Cry brings you on an intense journey through the mentality of two people that face the unthinkable. It leaves you guessing as to what really happened and what will happen next. It is told in a non-linear fashion which really helps the narrative, leading you along some false leads while really just cleverly arranging certain scenes to have you think that way. Amazing filming, and powerful acting. Jenna Coleman in particular carries the tough role of Joanna so incredibly well, brilliantly depicting the huge change Joanna goes through throughout the story. If it were down to me, she would definitely win a BAFTA for this. It is also great to rewatch. Once you know the full story, you can really appreciate how nicely it was all put together.

What should we feel about Jo?

[gwinegarden-24066 · 6/10 · 21 March 2021]

I guess that we are supposed to feel sorry for Jo.

Of course she has lost her child and that is tragic. My issue is her. She is weak, naïve and, by the end she shows herself as a borderline sociopath. No issue sleeping with a married man in his own home where his wife and child live, no issue killing her husband, no issue getting away with the murder and her part in the "missing baby" that caused untold grief for many, and months of useless work by the police and others.

Yes, she lost her child but, after that, she did everything wrong, so why pity her?

Surpassed my expectations, Jenna Coleman at her best

[benjamincallinicos · 9/10 · 22 October 2018]

I really enjoyed the Cry. It was recommended and with each episode I just couldn't wait to find out what happened to Noah. I had no idea that Alistair was going to be the main crux of it and I really didn't see it coming. I thought it was going to be less complex than it actually was and I really felt Joanna's pain.

Jenna Coleman gave an absolutely amazingly haunting, gritty and dark performance. I could really feel that she was absolutely broken by the end of the series and turning to the side of villainy and anti-heroism.

Overall, I don't care what anyone thinks. I loved it. I thought it was really good and Jenna Coleman does an awesome job.

Fails the acid test....

[macandanne · 6/10 · 17 October 2018]

For me, the acid test for any drama series is whether or not I care what happens to any of the characters. By the end of episode 2, I really was part caring. The self-indulgent, fractured, time-swapping structure certainly didn't help.....

Australian disappearences

[albertusjohannesmaria · 10/10 · 29 October 2018]

The Cry is a great mystery miniseries that echoes another Australian mystery movie A Cry In The Dark with a fantastic role by Meryl Streep. Also mentioned here is the Madeline Mccan disappearance. In all three cases the mother is not acting like a mother who's child has vanished. The myth that nothing makes a woman more happy than having a baby is roughly invalidated. Jenna Coleman in The Cry is equally calm and icy like her predecessors. The Heavy suspence and a pitch black atmosphere go very well together with the warm Australian light.

Good, but......

[Beanbagels · 6/10 · 21 December 2022]

First, the good. The acting was top notch, especially from Jenna Coleman, who was phenomenal! (I'm not just saying that because she is from my home town) The story was good, with some clever twists, and the scenery was lovely.

Now the bad. The directing. This let the whole production down. As others have mentioned, the pacing was very slow and the whole thing could have been shorter. What really annoyed the hell out of me though was the constant jumping backwards and forwards in time. We were getting flashbacks within flashbacks within flashbacks! This made everything very confusing and ruined the whole flow of the show. I would have rated this as an 8 if not for this.

Jenna Coleman BAFTA

[wherethewabbit · 9/10 · 22 October 2018]

On edge of seat throughout series. All cast very good but Jenna Coleman brilliant as the struggling new mother. The depth of her portrayal in the role was breathtaking and heartbreaking.

Some Twist, Some Predictable

[westsideschl · 6/10 · 6 February 2020]

A crime has been committed. Who's the culprit? Well, if you've seen this formula crime scenario before then you know suspects, to varying degrees, will be overtly or covertly suggested or presented. Then, in narrowing it down at the end, as we suspected, there are some subplots that come out making some of the least likely suspects more likely. And, I'm sure, one of those subplots will be explored in Sea. 2. Side note: I kept thinking, and asking myself, why doesn't a wealthy family simply hire a part time nanny or babysitter to relieve some of the stress?

SPOILERS: One MAJOR weakness ruins the entire show....

[charney13-1 · 3/10 · 8 May 2021]

I admit that I hooked from the beginning, and that I couldn't wait for each episode as the story moved forward. Acting was great; premise seemed intriguing, and the cliffhanger reveal at the end of episode 2 was amazing. And then....

The ENTIRE premise of the show rests on one incredibly stupid bit of plotting. I won't say too much, but I will note that all the mother had to do was buy a stupid Sharpie pen and the baby would still be alive....

As a writer, I find it very disconcerting when something turns out be so poorly written.

By the time it was over I was angry and sad, and dearly wanted those four hours of my life back again.

Watchable but uneven

[verna-a · 6/10 · 3 February 2019]

Jenna Coleman is very good but overall the acting is uneven. The husband recites his lines flatly, and Asher Keddie isn't much better. The daughter is amateurish also, which is more understandable. The story commands interest, but the rapidly switching timeframes become rather irritating. This sort of manipulative technique is overused to try and whip up interest when the material is a bit weak. I'll keep watching but the flaws in the production will limit my engagement. 4 episodes? I'm thinking 2 would be appropriate. More indication of padding.

Gripping Viewing

[mrsdavegrohl · 10/10 · 5 November 2018]

A great psychological thriller that is gripping. It's a show that keeps turning on it's head. It keeps the mystery taut.... It keeps you guessing.

It was okay. Won't watch again. Not interested in a sequal (tv/book)

[yngwiemalm · 6/10 · 21 October 2018]

Episode 1 was interesting enough, M McCann conspiracy theories were in my mind.

Episode 2, nothing happens. Very, very slow paced.

Episode 3, fairly interesting, one good part.

Episode 4, just kind of confirms most of your suspicions.

Not very gripping, unfortunately. You could see plots a mile ahead.

Great

[mbazhome · 10/10 · 5 January 2019]

Terrific from start to finish. Twists and turns kept me interested. Makes me want to read Helen Fitzgerald novels and see more of Jenna Coleman.

Engaging at the start but then.....

[wisewebwoman · 7/10 · 7 March 2021]

Jenna Coleman is amazing and carries the movie. At least her face does as there are so many closeups.

The series itself could have been halved. The flashbacks started to irritate and there were many plot holes, not least of which was the medicine mix-up in similar bottles and no labels.

Post partum depression is rarely portrayed in mothers so this was a major plus and it was portrayed well.

The culprit was clearly telegraphed from the outset but the twists and turns held my interest to the end which was more of a whimper than a bang.

Some marvelous bit parts, too numerous to mention here.

But the whole thing needed some massive editing to prune it down to maybe 2 hours.

And what's the old adage again? You can't build your happiness on someone else's unhappiness.

7/10 Worth a watch if nothing else on the old streamer.

Excellent show - it really draws you in!

[bhodgkin · 9/10 · 17 October 2018]

I just watched the first 3 episodes today and WOW! Such a good show!!! Great twist in episode 3 that I didn't see coming. It seriously is fantastic! The actors are all great and it has a really solid plot, I'm gonna have to go buy the book and read it! You get hooked from the first episode.

Consistent quality

[Kukkahattuseta · 7/10 · 16 February 2024]

I almost stopped watching the series during the first episode. I'm tired of the constant time jumps and flashbacks. I know it's trendy, but when the same trend continues for years, it loses its effectiveness. It rarely anymore ads any value to a series or film. Fortunately, I was able to keep watching the series. The flashbacks became fewer and fewer over the course of the next episodes.

Overall, the series was of consistent quality. The actors were a little out of character, but that may have been the intention. Overall, it was about power, manipulation and control. A neat little well executed series. It wasn't the kind of series that leaves a lasting impression, but it was well made entertainment.

The only clear ambiguity for me was the bottles and why. The similarity of the mixture just seemed implausible because why. I won't go into it any further here because I don't want to write any spoilers.

Best thing on TV

[sgp-73198 · 10/10 · 10 February 2019]

Arguably the best thing I have seen on TV. Tightly scripted, beautiful filmed and superb acting, especially by Jenna Coleman.

much a do about nothing...much!

[mmunier · 26 February 2019]

Well at least something that is not what it appears.... I'm no mind reader but soon got the idea and as some already mentioned you don't need 4 hours to work it out. Perhaps the worst was that I put a lot of anticipation on 'that Cry'; certainly too much. I was relieved when I read similar disappointments that followed great praises. I'd feel bad to be on my own thinking that way! For me, far too many flashbacks, I thought it really was not necessary. For me too it was okay, but no more than this. Since it was a mini serie perhaps I should have watch only one episode at the time, like certain food you only take a small amount at one time. Instead i recorded the four episodes and thought to digest the whole in one go. Hmm may be a dose of Gaviscon might have improved the condition. The ending let me perplex too and also a little wanting more. The acting was pretty good but I resented the manipulative direction that get you to think one way although it's not what it really is. I'm not sure about the relevance of the close friend who after all never got so close. To sum it up I've seen it and won't bother about it again - I never give stars

Good but could have been better.

[pub-21 · 6/10 · 2 February 2020]

Disappointed with casting of Ewen Leslie, he ruined Top of the Lake for me. I find him not only poor actor but way too weak for a character that is supposed to be able to sell ice to the eskimos. Didn't like Amanda Walker but that was more to do with script and character of Grandma. Jumping all over the timeline with flash backs was over done, making it confusing at times. Also slow and boring at times. Overall lots of raw Aussie talent doing the stuff they do best. Add 2 more stars if you like Ewen.

Another disappointing British drama

[Galanika · 5/10 · 28 October 2018]

Like most British TV dramas, it started with a bang and ended with a whimper. You cannot take a plot seriously when the key point (the mixed up medicine) utterly lacks credibility. What were those mysterious medications mother and baby were taking, and what for? That is a relevant point completely ignored. In any case, a mother who is breastfeeding can't be taking something so dangerous that a few drops could kill a baby, since most drugs will get into her milk anyway. But most importantly, you would never get any prescribed medication without a label. And even if that was the case --which is impossible in the UK or any civilized country-- you would not put two completely different medications which look exactly the same in identical containers having to ¨taste´¨ them to tell the difference. That crucial detail is LUDICROUS and insulting for the viewer's intelligence. The writers do not know the first thing about the subject and did not bother to research. What a waste of money!