I watched this after a recommendation from a friend and was not disappointed. Great acting by both Jessica Biel and Christopher Abbott, and I was roped into the mystery immediately. Looking forward to binging full series.
13 Reviews
outstanding!!!
d-e-stewart30 October 2018
Started watching ep 1 because I was bored. Ended up bingeing the whole of S1 in a single day. This is compelling, interesting, well written and very well acted. It's not full of action and there is a lot of dialogue, and to some this might be a slow burn, but it is so worth sticking with. Jessica Biehl and Bill Pullman are fantastic as the damaged adults whose back stories are unknown at the start. The unfolding of Coras' back story is very well done and evolves into a fairly harrowing tale. She is utterly convincing as the lost, confused and bewildered young woman who finds herself in an awful situation without any clue why she did what she did. Bill Pullman is very convincing as the troubled older cop who clearly has had a troubled childhood, and is struggling with his close relationships as a result. These two form a bond because he sees her 'lostness' and identifies that she carries a lot of guilt. I'm looking forward to S2, as it seems we will get to know what makes Detective Ambrose tick.
Good, but not great
tennismenace31 July 2018
The first two episodes were great and so were the last two episodes. Things happened during those four episodes. However, the middle four episodes could have been done in two episodes, they moved that slowly and little seemed to have been accomplished. Too slow for my liking, this the 7 rating. Like I said, it both started and ended well.
Great acting, except it was difficult seeing the detective's baggage in every episode. I recommend this show but caution you to be patient.
Great acting, except it was difficult seeing the detective's baggage in every episode. I recommend this show but caution you to be patient.
Intriguing and Intense !
parthpant195 January 2018
Well, I had really high hopes with "The Sinner" and although the episode took time to kick in, it was worth the wait.
Jessica Biel plays Cora -a mom whose another day at the beach turns to a horrifying one when she commits a violent act. That is all I am going to say about this one.
The performances are top notch here-Biel, Bill Pullman and Christopher Abbott- all give in excellent performances. And the best part about this show is that it is not a whodunit but a whydunit and that what makes it special! Give the episode time to kick in and you will really enjoy it.
Great show. But.
kateAraya71513 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Bill Pullman and Jessica Biel are absolutely amazing. I can't say enough about such emotional characters being portrayed so brilliantly. You could actually imagine watching every scene being a fly in the wall.
Excellent writing. For the most part. 95% Excellent. Very unique storyline. Shorter, tense, informative, scenes played very well to this detective story. Wish more shows would follow their lead.
My issues are mine but here it goes.
How does the wife act like she doesn't know she's married to a detective?? I mean my husband's job and interests makes me know instinctively when his mind gets going. Walking in the woods w my - let's pretend - detective husband and he sees something and walks off completely focused, I'm not going to stand there yelling his name like an idiot. I'm going to follow him and be interested in what he's doing. This scene was so unrealistic to me. If she thought they were supposed to be trying ISN'T SHE part of that "they". Because the next scene she's acting like her world with him just isn't working - because of him???? Yeah. Ok. He's weird and not comfortable socially. She could or should break up with him bc it was not a good fit for her. But they write it as she can't even remotely find it in herself to just say that. She has to be the a-hole.
Like most shows, they write the spouse as if they are either really ignorant or an easy antagonist. As if there aren't enough threads to follow we have to bear witness to an excellent actress look nonsensical.
Other than that and the sex mistress- I guess that's what the woman is, scenes were personally annoying w the wife and hard to watch the mistress scenes - again to me personally. - THIS is almost as good as MindHunter.
If you like mysteries this one's for you.
Excellent writing. For the most part. 95% Excellent. Very unique storyline. Shorter, tense, informative, scenes played very well to this detective story. Wish more shows would follow their lead.
My issues are mine but here it goes.
How does the wife act like she doesn't know she's married to a detective?? I mean my husband's job and interests makes me know instinctively when his mind gets going. Walking in the woods w my - let's pretend - detective husband and he sees something and walks off completely focused, I'm not going to stand there yelling his name like an idiot. I'm going to follow him and be interested in what he's doing. This scene was so unrealistic to me. If she thought they were supposed to be trying ISN'T SHE part of that "they". Because the next scene she's acting like her world with him just isn't working - because of him???? Yeah. Ok. He's weird and not comfortable socially. She could or should break up with him bc it was not a good fit for her. But they write it as she can't even remotely find it in herself to just say that. She has to be the a-hole.
Like most shows, they write the spouse as if they are either really ignorant or an easy antagonist. As if there aren't enough threads to follow we have to bear witness to an excellent actress look nonsensical.
Other than that and the sex mistress- I guess that's what the woman is, scenes were personally annoying w the wife and hard to watch the mistress scenes - again to me personally. - THIS is almost as good as MindHunter.
If you like mysteries this one's for you.
Intense Beginning
Hitchcoc30 July 2023
I'm always intrigued by people giving up on an entire series after one episode. The episode is expository. We need the crime to be committed, the events to be made known to us, and to be introduced to the significant characters. The murder here is out of the blue and of great intensity. In this one we also have a backstory where the perpetrator was raised in a disgusting setting with a witch mother who blames the little girl for her sister's illness. They are Roman Catholic and pray like crazy. The little girl is almost a robot in her beliefs that prayer will take care of everything. The title of the show is from the Hail Marys, which are recited over and over. Jessica Biel is strange and damaged from the beginning and because of her intense guilt, gives herself over to the courts without a fight. This leaves her weak husband in disarray, wondering what the heck.
Decent Entertainment
nebohr6 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
When we first meet Cora and family everything seems normal. Then a visit to the beach causes Cora to freak out and attack a young man; stabbing him to death.
The story is one difficult to reason out so many surprises ahead.
The story is one difficult to reason out so many surprises ahead.
Slow but it get there.
mswendygray14 November 2021
It take forever to get to why she killed the dude on the beach. I mean so much went on to get to the point. I think it took too long, but the actors are great. I think the storyline of the detective and the lady that steps on his fingers could have been left out. No reason for that storyline.
Best way to view first season.
jamosmonk22 November 2023
This show couldve been excellent. However there are certain behaviors and plot points that are completely unbelievable. The entire relationship with the obese dominatrix should be removed as it serves no purpose. In fact the sub plot of detectives wife is unneeded. The detectives mannerisms can convey his personality and spousal issues. In fact there are a few other character sub plots that should be removed but they pad the episodes dragging what would be a great 4 episode series. Best way to watch season one is to watch episodes 1,2,3 skip 4,5,and 6, watch 7 and 8. There are a few minutes of tidbits in the skippable episodes but there is nothing that is needed and some can be gleaned from context occurring in the watchable episodes anyway. You will still get everything you need to see and not waste your time. I assume 8 episodes were needed to sell the anthology, but they sure arent needed to tell great story. Removal of the uninteresting and needlessly perverse parts also would help since they contribute absolutely nothing to the story, other than displaying the further degeneracy of hollywoodland.
Flawed and totally unbelievable story
marten-wallin17 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I've only seen sesaon 1 and it will end with that.
I thought the first episode was promising. Seemed like a new angle I've never seen before. But then it all came crumbling down.
Something is off with the editing/feel of the series as well. It just feels low budget.
Should have stopped watching after episode 2 but well. I guess I wanted to know the whole plot...
I thought the first episode was promising. Seemed like a new angle I've never seen before. But then it all came crumbling down.
- Bad acting. Too many fake tears from Biel and Pullman is as exciting as watching paint dry. I just don't believe in his character. It's just so cliché and lacks life and credibility. The divorce from his wife? Yeah, zero connection between the actors. Totally lacked any emotions.
- Yeah, like a police officer would care enough to make an investigation on a murder case where the suspect has confessed and there are several witnesses and technical evidence. And why would he do that? Because of "the Why" in "Who, When and Why? Hardly. Does it even matter? She did it.
- Yeah, like a police officer would take a murder suspect out of jail and release her on the crime scene hoping she will recall her buried memories? Sure he would. Yeah, really.
- Yeah, like a police officer would take a convicted murderer out of prison (surely the investigation is closed after the conviction...) and let her visit the house of the murder victim WITH HIS PARENTS IN THE HOUSE as well? And let her tear the wall papper down? Come on!
- Yeah, like the court, with the same judge, would overrule the verdict after learning that Cora really was just the victim... And let her off with 2 years in the psych ward? WTF?!!? Anyone who's watched true crime series like "Making a murderer" know that it takes years and years of fighting even if new evidence is uncovered to get a new hearing.
Something is off with the editing/feel of the series as well. It just feels low budget.
Should have stopped watching after episode 2 but well. I guess I wanted to know the whole plot...
Please Tell Me It Gets Better
helenahandbasket-9373415 July 2021
I'll hang in there for one or two more episodes, but Jessica Biel is such a bad actor- I'm guessing being the executive producer helps a lot with casting.
The rest of the story is intriguing- aside from the whole S and M thing- must Hollywood pollute every single thing they touch with their degenerate proclivities?
This has so much potential, and I've heard this is so good, but I'm just not seeing it. Not yet anyway.
The rest of the story is intriguing- aside from the whole S and M thing- must Hollywood pollute every single thing they touch with their degenerate proclivities?
This has so much potential, and I've heard this is so good, but I'm just not seeing it. Not yet anyway.
ummmm........
cluelessasset1 August 2021
Disappointing season one
dwrowley6725 February 2021
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