Home Before Dark (2020– ) User Reviews

fun, intriguing mystery

[cherold · 8/10 · 23 October 2021]

Home Before Dark is about a 9-year-old girl reporter with the tenacity of a bulldog and the observational skills of Sherlock Holmes. Is this realistic? I'm gonna say no. Is it fun? Absolutely.

The mystery is excellent, the cast is swell, I love the trio of kid investigators and the mystery keeps you guessing. I'm most of the way through season 1 and as of now I'm a big fan.

Recommended.

Brilliant crime who dunnit

[davidamiller-07616 · 8/10 · 4 April 2020]

Loved this and cant wait until next season very well scripted and acted better than I thought

binge if you can

[stehartley · 8/10 · 3 April 2020]

Forget the 10/10. no doubt paid reviews. this is a solid 8/10 great performances all round. keeps going at a lively pace with a bit of humor thrown it. great show to binge watch ( which i did). brooklynn prince is definitely a star in the making.

Awsome

[evalaugesen-29303 · 9/10 · 8 May 2020]

I didn't think much of it at first, but as I watched more and more episodes, I got hooked. The script just got better and better. Just awesome acting. I can't wait for the next season

Absolutely Fantastic!

[Daniel_Sweden · 10/10 · 5 April 2020]

I am a 39 year old male, who watches TV series all day long every day, year in and year out, and I am telling you that this series is some of the best I ever seen!

It is so very charming, heartwarming, and yet not just for "family" (aka kids) but for adults as well.

While it starts off a little pretentious in the first few minutes, it soon starts to be incredibly good! So please, don't turn it off! (I was about too, actually. Very glad I didn't.)

It is a very even series, that never has any deep valleys of boredom that most TV series eventually suffer from.

The script is tight as hell, and the story keeps you on your toes throughout. There are many twists and turns which I love.

I also love the 80s flashbacks and they have really captured that era well.

The acting by everyone is great, especially for the main character Hilde Lisko, played extremely well by only 9 year old Brooklynn Prince.

The pace, the editing, and execution of this movie is also just great.

I would recommend this to everyone of all ages! I am surprised this "only" has 7.3 of a rating as of writing this review. What is wrong with you people?! This is a SOLID 10/10 from me, and I very rarely give such high reviews to anything!

Please, for your own sake, watch this! In a world with endless series to watch, this stands out of the crowd like a shining star!

Cheesy but fascinating

[annakillick · 7/10 · 5 April 2020]

This show is made more interesting by the fact that it is based on a real nine-year-old girl who just happens to also be an ace reporter. It was reasonably binge-worthy because I kept wanting answers to the clues she kept uncovering. However, I do have to say that the wigs and prosthetics, the total lack of connection or spark between the parents, the irresponsibility of letting a kid go out day or night, her precociousness at school (would a principal just let her out of school all the time?) and the number of times Hilde's father kissed his kids' hair were annoying. Plus what police force would have pass information onto a child and what parent would let their child constantly put their lives at risk? See what you think?

An all together enjoyable tale

[dr_ellis · 9/10 · 12 April 2020]

This terrific cast tells a story of mystery when a 9 year old moves into a small town where her father grew up and unearths a cold case. Each of the 10 episodes is engrossing and you want more. Excellent for binging.

Enjoyable

[sharonhiginbotham-22015 · 6/10 · 6 July 2021]

I enjoyed this series but I found myself wanting it to get to the point and finish towards the end, I felt like I'd watched most of it so I may as well finish it now.

Why do people drag out TV series for too long and end up (in my eyes) spoiling them eg Supernatural, Lost??

Not a fan of Apple corp. whatsoever, but this was very good.

[bjoernhund · 8/10 · 4 April 2020]

First of all, -great cast/casting all round (even the dad looking like Christopher Eccleston I grew to like) Intriguing crime drama (with a hint of 'thriller'). Was afraid this would be too childish as many of the leads are kids, but this is most def for adults (teens would pass, too as thankfully there were not heaps of on-screen violence & gore & such). Soundtrack was interesting with a mix of famous 70s-80s oldies and more modern stuff like the brilliant 2014 "Dreamers" by Scavenger Hunt (never heard of them before, brilliant pop tune that harkens to the 80s). All-in-all one of the best crime-dramas & excellent cast I've seen in yonks, so hats off to the people behind this. No spoilers, but let's say most people will hope for a 2nd season...

MIni Mrs Marple - gets tedious after a while

[lesio-21948 · 7/10 · 4 April 2020]

After starting watching 1st episode I was thinking - nope, this is a kid show. However, after giving it a bit more time, I continued and watched the whole series. Overall, it's a quality production, there is a lot of social/family issues thrown in and one can benefit from watching it. IMHO, the cons are - her team are all cute and well acted - but also hardly believable and I was getting tired of the concept. Not sure what target audience the creators were aiming at - as it is mainly pre-teen show, but there is quite graphic violence and some bad language, as well as adult-like sex themes in conversations. My main beef - it's chiefly a murder mystery, and after ploughing through 10 episodes I was hoping for reveal-all finale, well - you need to wait for 2nd season to get all answers. There is too many shows about where viewers are being enticed into tuning to next season by leaving story wide open. And - quite often answers never come - when a show gets a chop...

Not all superheroes need capes

[actingcoachcourtney · 10/10 · 8 May 2020]

I wish this show had been around when I was a little girl. Hilde is such a superhero, she is strong, fearless, and never backs down despite constantly being no by adults who wish she would just sit down and shut up because it makes them uncomfortable. I am so glad my daughter can see this young lady and know that kids matter and kids are capable of so much more than we give them credit for. I love these characters. I truly care about them, and after the amazing season 1 cliffhanger, I cannot wait for season 2. Outstanding story, outstanding acting, awesome soundtrack and amazing message!!! Thank you, Apple!

Watching Season 2 looks worse than 1

[harineem-209-525488 · 6/10 · 26 June 2021]

Season 1 was watchable (hence the 6)because of the originality of the premise of the series but even then I found it weird that the parents allow a 9-year to go around anywhere at anytime but still the story was good.

But Season 2 its just getting annoying. The girl has just 2 reactions either she is rude or she is crying. She just demands attention, feels she can walk into a police station and they have to drop everything and follow her. The entitlement is annoying, disrespectful and sets a bad role model for kids watching the show.

And the parenting is got worse where a daughter comes after dark from a unknown place and the father's concern seems to be more on her reaction rather than on why on a school night she is out that late. And Jim Sturgess is so one-dimensional and annoying with same voice modulation when he talks to Hilde, you wonder what the director is doing. Please no parent maintains the same tone and voice modulation when they talk to their kids. It is impossible and artificial.

Doubt I will continue watching this.

Unbearable lead protagonist

[ItzyNixie · 4/10 · 27 June 2021]

The first season was OK. The second season is hard to watch, mainly because Hilde is an insufferable kid.

Hilde is annoying, doesn't know about personal limits or respect to others' privacy. And the worst part, she cries with every little obstacle she encounters. Too bad the character is not likable (IMO), as her two friends are very charming.

Excellent Mystery Story

[ocviewer · 10/10 · 30 May 2020]

I love a good mystery but I'm over 40 and wasn't sure if this assumed kiddish series would be involving enough. I absolutely loved it and can't wait till next season. You can have great, captivating storytelling without F-bombs, graphic violence, and other smoot. A+

This is NO child's play

[zadeereviews · 9/10 · 16 January 2021]

I had doubts going in watching this series expecting it's going to be some kids series. However, boy was I wrong. Great mystery and great characters. Well written story line that has great characters. For one second it didn't make me not believe what was happening. The story is being told in a way that it's not difficult to suspend your disbelief. Specially since the main protagonist Is a 9 year old girl who is a investigative journalist. Easily bingable series on Apple TV plus. Apple TV plus is doing it right. I wish and hope that there's a second season for this. Also don't quit on the first episode at least stick to it till 3 rd episode and it gets better quick.

Loved the original concept.

[biglow1 · 7/10 · 30 August 2021]

I really enjoyed season one, thought the writing was pretty sharp and the acting was pretty spot on. Season two I'm less enthusiastic, Hilde has become insufferable and downright rude, and the parenting skills seem to have really deteriorated. I hate to admit it but Jim Sturgis is overly emotional which really isn't always appropriate. The story is topical but not particularly compelling as in season one. Hoping for a connection back to season one.

Magnificent performance in a script for beyond original

[bepeneluppi · 10/10 · 3 May 2020]

Amazing, with a script that turns you on the screen from the first minute, the impressive performance of Brooklyn Price with Jim Sturgess sets the series apart from others. Much more than a police investigative series, it is an intelligent reasoning that can only be compared to the incredible Sherlock series, considering that it is based on a true story that makes it an unmissable raw work.

It's good

[TheReel14 · 6/10 · 16 August 2021]

Season 1: 8/10 Season 2: 6/10

Season 2, some of the messaging they try to give is good and moving but the main lead is annoying in season 2. I know she's a kid, but i cannot explain it she seems off this season cries every second. I am half way through SO i only hope it gets better. If there is a season 3 can you increase there age by about 7-8years. Also give the adults a more juicer story.

Best series starring kids ever!

[henrycoles9 · 10/10 · 30 November 2020]

If you want to watch a witty kid lecture adults about truth and the necessity of searching for it, this is the show for you!

Brooklynn Prince is stellar as Hilde Lisko, a vivacious, spunky, no-nonsense 9-year-old girl who is fascinated with journalism, her father's profession. She pulls no punches, minces no words, names names and says it like it is. I particularly loved her grandfather "Pop-Pop" who has Alzheimer's and is a very endearing and adorable character, and I loved how gentle and compassionate Hilde is toward him while Matthew Lisko (Jim Sturgess) struggles to connect with his own father. There was also the lynchpin story of Sam Gillis who was locked up for life unjustly after the tragic kidnapping of a young boy 30 years ago. It was amazing to watch a bunch of kids lead the quest for truth and justice in a town that had chosen to close their eyes.

A lot of Crying Before Dark

[ndroock1 · 6/10 · 8 August 2021]

This series is all about Hilde Lisko ( Brooklynn Prince ). Hilde is a very emotional young girl. She gets angry quite a lot. And she is a star in creating all kinds of crying faces. She does this so often, that the magic of acting and film instantly disappears. You will experience a moment where you think: "that's another cry for Hilde". And then suddenly you realize that she is not really crying but that she is acting, and creating that (silly) face again. They clearly overused her crying talent. Come to think of it, I can't remember her laughing much. And that's what real girls of her age do most.

Pleasantly surprising missing-person mystery

[TheTruthofItIs · 8/10 · 11 June 2020]

Home Before Dark (S02, 10 eps, 1hr, Apple+). It took a year and two months to get to season two due to covid delays. This second season picks up the mystery and carries it to a decent conclusion. There's more of a B-story line with older sister Izzy's budding teen romance so that's either a plus or a minus for you - I hit the skip forward button whenever that part of the story took over. The final scene of the season finale left a little morsel of a hook into a third season but I think we're pretty much done with this show. There's not enough difference in topic and certainly settings to sit through another. Now, if they moved back to NYC with a different mystery, I'd be all in, but another season extending the same mystery in Erie Harbor, no thanks. **** Home Before Dark (S01, 10 eps, 1hr, Apple+) is a missing-person mystery "inspired" by real-life tiny tot investigative journalist Hilde Lysiak, named Hilde Lisko in the series and is played by acting phenom Brooklyn Prince. She really does carry the series and is amazing to watch (much like 9yo Lexy Kolker did in "Freaks"). Overall, this was an impressive freshman season, yes, if you examine/evaluate too closely you'll find fault and that can ruin it for you, but if you permit it some plausibility latitude then you'll enjoy it. There are many intriguing story elements, kidnappings, murder, falls from grace, injustices, betrayal, police intimidation and coverups, and budding teen love. The season finale did not surprise me at all, I had figured as much by ep 2, but it does lead directly to a sophomore season they were filming before the Covid monster stopped production so it'll be awhile till that story continues.

Great premise Great Start Big Fail in Season 2

[mweratcliffe · 6/10 · 9 January 2022]

This series started out in season one so well I rated it a 10 but 4 episodes into season 2 and I've down graded it to 6. I don't want to give away any plot points but the writers really made a hash of the story line and most of the characters seem to be spinning in circles just to extend the season to another 10 episodes. I binged season one but season two is heavy lifting. Hanging on in the hope that there will be some reward at the end of all this tedium.

In the end season two did deliver the answer to the unsolved mystery from season one and closed the mystery presented in season two with the same solution - neatly and satisfactorily killing two birds with one stone. Unfortunately the writing in season two was terrible. The same story would have been better served with better writing, tighter editing and only 5 episodes rather than the meandering waste of time that 1/2 of season two is.

It has a nice bow on it now. Please - if you can't invest more for better scripts and editing - don't make a season 3.

Interesting premise, but ultimately annoying

[CaptnCnck · 4/10 · 9 April 2020]

At first, I thought I was going to like this show, but after 4 1/2 episodes, I think I've decided that it's just too annoying. Too many annoying characters, too many uneven performances, too much cutesy and contrived dialogue. The show is not terrible, but it's not good either, especially for a premium-service original.

Disappointing, yet not abysmal. That's about the most positive, concise conclusion I can come to.

Big fan of this series - my wife and I can't wait for season 2!

[sayuryvega · 10/10 · 6 April 2020]

Love the story and how the casting is so diverse. This show has a lot of messages that can relate to many people, from being misfits, to communications in a marriage, to going back to the past and deal with your fears or failures, to having a parent in a home with Alzheimer's, to corruption in the police force, to being portrayed as something you aren't, to cyberbullying, to being bullied in school, etc etc.

Impressed with Apple

[reidiq · 8/10 · 14 April 2020]

Very good and well done show! I look forward to watching season 2.