Amazon Prime Spotlight: The Girlfriend

I watched The Girlfriend because most of my married (girl) friends praised it. After seeing it, I understood why. The story includes the classic “evil mother-in-law” angle, which many of them may relate to on some level.

What’s It About?

A psycho (but beautiful) real estate agent meets her boyfriend’s equally psycho (but rich) mother, which kickstarts a gruelling, intense face-off between two psychos.

Thoughts

I found the series average, probably because I’ve watched so many psychological thrillers in my 40+ years that nothing feels new anymore. But women in my age group seemed to love it.

I suspect it’s because the show portrays the partner’s mother as nauseatingly interfering, exactly how many wives and girlfriends see that figure in their lives – an overbearing presence who threatens their relationship.

To me, both sides, my female friends and their mothers-in-law, seem equally psycho, so watching that dynamic as an outsider feels different. And the guy is just there, unable to take sides. If you’re not in that sort of relationship, the series may not hook you as much. But for someone who’s personally caught in that kind of power struggle, the series would definitely hit harder.

I found the personality arcs of Cherry and Laura interesting. They keep going after each other, yet in many ways, they are alike. When you look at it more closely, it feels as if they are really battling a version of themselves.

The Girlfriend is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The series has six episodes, with each one running for about 50 minutes.

Netflix Thriller Spotlight: Wayward

Do you ever pick a series solely based on its synopsis? That’s exactly how I do it. I tend to avoid Netflix teasers and trailers as they are way too detailed, giving away too much, and ruining the element of surprise for me. I prefer diving straight into a story with minimal hints, letting the plot unfold organically. It keeps the narrative fresh and exciting. This could also be because I prefer reading over visuals.

That’s how I ended up choosing Wayward. Just a quick read of the synopsis (which felt interesting), and I was in.

What’s It About?

Wayward is set in a school called Tall Pines. It looks like a regular school at first (just kidding!). But trust me, you’d never want your kid saying their school is anything like this one. It’s an academy where parents send troubled, rebellious teens hoping they’ll be “fixed.” But beneath the surface, something darker seems to be going on. There’s a creepy, almost sinister vibe that makes you question what’s really happening behind those closed doors.

Thoughts

I really enjoyed Wayward. Normally, I take ages to finish a series. Not because I’m swamped with work, but because my attention span has been wrecked by endless Instagram reel scrolling. I just can’t deal with shows that drag on forever. And let’s be honest, a lot of series tend to do exactly that. One-hour episodes stuffed with fillers that barely move the story forward.

But Wayward was refreshingly different. Just 8 episodes, and not once did I feel the urge to check my phone or zone out. I also have a soft spot for women-led storylines, so that probably helped keep me hooked.

The rebellious best friends were a bit much for someone like me. I’m naturally more disciplined. But aside from their chaotic energy, nothing really irked my nerves.

The acting was top-notch. Mae Martin as Alex, the transgender young police officer, and Toni Collette as Evelyn, the head teacher of Tall Pines academy, were perfect in their respective roles. The most layered character, I felt, was that of Laura, played by Sarah Gadon. Alyvia Alyn Lind and Sydney Topliffe as Leila and Abbie were convincing as the troubled teens. The ending could’ve been stronger, sure, but I’m not complaining.

Wayward is streaming on Netflix, with each episode running for about 45 minutes.

Netflix Thriller Review: Dept. Q

I came across a review of Dept. Q on Instagram Reels, which is how it ended up on my watchlist. Honestly, before watching, I was doubtful whether I would finish it. Lately, many “thriller” series have failed to truly thrill me. But I’m glad I gave this one a chance and stuck with it.

What’s It About?

An arrogant detective, Carl Morck, returns to work after being injured in a shooting and is assigned to a new department in a dingy basement to investigate unsolved cases. He is soon joined by Akram, a former Syrian policeman now working as a civilian employee, and Rose, a young and spirited constable. Akram ends up selecting a case for Carl to pursue, one involving the sudden disappearance of a lawyer after she is assaulted by her non-verbal brother on a ferry.

Thoughts

Even though the series drags at times, I found myself wanting to know what happens next. This curiosity kept me watching. My rule of thumb for thrillers is simple: Am I interested in finding out the truth? If yes, I continue. If no, I skip. This series made me stay. I genuinely wanted to know what happened. The final episode was the standout of the season, stirring a range of emotions in me: anger, fear, thrill, affection, and warmth.

The performances were strong across the board, but my favourite character was Akram, played by Alexej Manvelov, a mature presence, always in control, in contrast to the more unruly Carl Morck.

I would recommend Dept. Q. It’s streaming on Netflix, with a total of 9 episodes, each roughly an hour long.

Thriller Series Review: Kerala Crime Files

If you haven’t yet watched Kerala Crime Files on JioHotstar, I would recommend doing it now. It’s a Malayalam-language Indian crime series set in Kerala, and it delivers on every front: gripping treatment that matches international standards, solid performances, and fresh storylines. I binged both seasons back-to-back over the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed them.

What’s It About?

Season 1 of Kerala Crime Files revolves around the murder of a sex worker found in a dingy lodge. The police, initially indifferent due to the victim’s profession, treat it as just another case. In one telling scene, a woman asks her police officer husband, “So there’s discrimination in cases too?” What begins as apathy turns into an ego-driven pursuit. The officers are frustrated by their inability to crack the case quickly. Though the victim is a sex worker and the case is treated casually at first, their bruised egos and the complicated nature of the case push them to dig deeper.

The heart and soul of Kerala Crime Files Season 2 are the dogs. They are present from the very first frame to the last. Set in a quiet town in Kerala, the story begins with a police officer going missing. As the investigation unfolds, the plot thickens with unexpected twists. What sets this season apart is its demand for viewer engagement. You need to connect the dots yourself. There’s no spoon feeding. I’ll admit, I had to rely on Reddit to fully piece things together, since I usually go into passive mode while watching fiction. The performances are exceptional, especially Indrans and Harisree Ashokan. Known for comedy, they prove their mettle in intense, dramatic roles too.

Kerala Crime Files is streaming on JioHotstar. Both seasons have just 6 short episodes, each around 20–30 minutes. You can easily finish them in one sitting. In a time when attention spans are shrinking and many shows drag episodes beyond an hour, this crisp format is a welcome change. I hope to see more dramas adopting this format.

Book Review: “Pretty Girls” by Karin Slaughter

It took some time to complete Karin Slaughter’s Pretty Girls. This is not because the plot wasn’t interesting, but because I was trying to divide my time equally among other interests in life. The storytelling is intense, descriptive, and graphic. So, I had to take breaks. Anyone who cannot handle violence should stay away from the book. It’s by far the most violent book I have ever read.

The crime thriller follows the story of three sisters. One of them has been missing for years, while the other two navigate their lives without their eldest sister’s presence. Their parents are separated, unable to cope with their daughter’s absence. What happened to their eldest? Why aren’t the cops providing clear answers? This mystery forms the crux of the story.

If you enjoy thrillers, I’d highly recommend Pretty Girls. Personally, I felt the descriptions were a bit lengthy at times, which slowed the pace for me. However, readers who appreciate detailed scenes and emotional depth may find that aspect especially engaging.

Ending this review with some interesting quotes from the book:

That she ended up with a boy who had grown up less than twenty miles from her childhood home was just further proof that no matter how far you ran, you always ended up back where you started.

People did not change their basic, core personalities. Their values tended to stay the same.

“The world stops for you when you’re pretty. That’s why women spend billions on crap for their faces. Their whole life, they’re the center of attention. People want to be around them just because they’re attractive. Their jokes are funnier. Their lives are better. And then suddenly, they get bags under their eyes or they put on a little weight and no one cares about them anymore. They cease to exist.”

“Reductio ad Hitlerum.” Claire couldn’t stop quoting Paul. “It’s when you compare someone to Hitler to win an argument.”

“Dyadic Completion,” Paul would’ve told Claire. “The human brain tends to assume that, if there’s a victim, there has to be a villain.”

He reminds me of the worst kind of student I used to have—the kind who is certain that they already know everything worth knowing