Based on Alice Feeney’s bestselling 2020 novel of the same name, His & Hers is a tale of twists, thrills, and trepidation. In Netflix’s latest murder mystery miniseries, a homicide case ravages the sleepy town of Dahlonega, Georgia, where no one is above suspicion. A formidable Tessa Thompson stars as Anna Andrews, a news reporter covering the case, alongside a brutish Jon Bernthal as her estranged husband, Jack Harper, the case’s lead detective. Both having their own motives and vendettas, Anna and Jack sift through the lies of Dahlonega while confronting their dark pasts.
His & Hers is most satisfying when leaning into its murderous machinations. From the first scene, the series packs a punch with blocky opening title credits, expertly timed needle drops, and a glimpse into the dark, rainy scene of the crime. Unfortunately, by the next couple of episodes, it fails to find its stride, leaving a muddled middle to this six-part series. The focus on Anna and Jack’s relationship quickly becomes boring against the backdrop of a slew of perplexingly connected murders. Combined with the lackluster on-screen chemistry between Thompson and Bernthal, the show loses steam but ultimately pulls through in the final episodes, culminating in a gripping conclusion.
The series features an entourage of familiar faces, heavy hitters, and newcomers alike. The standout supporting actor is Sunita Mani, as Priya Patel, the junior detective assisting Jack on the case. Her doe-eyed, deadpan reactions to Jack’s exhausting tirades deliver a much-needed reprise from Bernthal’s unlikeable character. For fans of The Wire’s second season, the show features a welcome Sobotka father-son reunion with Pablo Schreiber as Anna’s shady cameraman, Richard, and Chris Bauer as the murder victim’s widower — both bringing their respective acting chops to a somewhat stale script.
Despite its stacked roster of talent, His & Hers suffers most from bouts of stilted writing, choppy editing, and clunky dialogue. It never derails the narrative completely, but it’s often distracting. Adapting a story as obfuscating as Alice Feeney’s His & Hers can’t be easy. It’s notorious among readers as a book whose ending is impossible to predict. While series creator William Oldroyd does his best to string us along, the show lacks the same gravitational pull of the easily digestible pageturner that is Feeney’s 2020 novel.
Luckily, Thompson consistently steers His & Hers into steady ground. Her dynamic portrayal of Anna adds yet another tally to her ever-growing list of impressive performances. Whether it’s her nuanced gaze, contemplative line delivery, or diabolical smirk, Thompson keeps us guessing at Anna’s true intentions, whereas Bernthal’s Jack feels flat, one-sided, and overall a loud, bulky mess. By episode five, His & Hers finally finds its footing, navigating its way to a satisfying ending and a riveting epilogue.
There is one line that stuck with me toward the end of the series. Jack and Priya lean against their police cars, reflecting on the murders. Priya, who Jack often calls “Boston,” is perplexed by the heinous crimes committed in their quaint Georgia town. Jack then says to her, “Just forget it, Boston. It’s Dahlonega.” And forget it, I will.
For fans of the novel and similar stories, His & Hers will be a rewarding enough watch. While missing the book’s signature oscillating points of view — from Anna to Jack to the unidentified killer — the show is saved by the strength of Tessa Thompson’s performance and supporting roles like Mani’s Priya and Schreiber’s Richard. For many, His & Hers will be a pleasant, easy binge but ultimately forgettable.
All six episodes of His & Hers are now streaming on Netflix.
Review Courtesy of Kasey Dunifer
Feature Image Credit to Netflix