We Were Liars Review: A Tragic, Twisty Teen Mystery With A Haunting Final Episode

News18

23-06-2025

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We Were Liars Review: Prime Video's new series is a tragic, twist-laden teen thriller that explores trauma, privilege and memory, ending with a finale that leaves a lasting impact.
We Were Liars Review: We Were Liars, the new psychological YA thriller streaming on Prime Video, is a brooding, sun-soaked mystery set against the backdrop of wealth, trauma and generational secrets. Based on E. Lockhart's best-selling 2014 novel, which found renewed popularity through BookTok, the series explores the fragility of memory and the dark truths hidden beneath a gilded family legacy. With Julie Plec and Carina Adly MacKenzie at the helm, this eight-part adaptation strikes a balance between teen angst and slow-burning tragedy, even if it stumbles occasionally along the way.
The story centers on Cadence Sinclair Eastman (Emily Alyn Lind), a teenager from an elite American family known as the Sinclairs. Every summer, they retreat to their private island, Beechwood, near Martha's Vineyard – a place of tradition, wealth, and carefully constructed appearances. But something traumatic happened during Cadence's Summer 16 which she can't remember. A year later, she returns to the island, determined to piece together the events that led to her brain injury and her unraveling reality.
As Cadence reconnects with her cousins Johnny (Joseph Zada), Mirren (Esther McGregor), and family friend Gat (Shubham Maheshwari) – the self-named 'Liars" – the series toggles between two timelines: the golden, romanticised Summer 16 and the somber, uncertain Summer 17. The intercutting is visually distinct but not always seamless; though the intention is to mirror Cadence's fractured mind, the frequent timeline jumps can feel jarring rather than immersive.
Still, what We Were Liars does best is build atmosphere. From moody monologues to dreamy Fourth of July parties, the series captures the eerie allure of adolescent summers tinged with privilege and unease. Director Nzingha Stewart's vision leans into the poetic tone of the novel, supported by voiceovers that range from introspective to slightly overdone.
Emily Alyn Lind brings vulnerability and resilience to Cadence, anchoring the series even when the writing gets murky. However, the romantic chemistry between Cadence and Gat feels undercooked. While their storyline hints at deeper discussions of class and race, with Gat being the outsider challenging Sinclair elitism, those ideas are barely skimmed and the show misses an opportunity for sharper commentary.
On the other hand, the adult cast is a revelation. Mamie Gummer, Caitlin FitzGerald, and Candice King, playing the feuding Sinclair sisters, bring electric tension to every scene. Their fraught dynamics, layered with unspoken resentments and decades of rivalry, offer some of the show's most engaging moments. Rahul Kohli as Ed, Gat's uncle and the voice of moral clarity, adds depth to an otherwise insular world.
Visually, the show excels from sunlit beaches to ivy-covered mansions and haunting dream sequences create a setting that feels both idyllic and suffocating. The voiceovers, though sometimes too lyrical, help paint the emotional dissonance of a girl who once thought her life was perfect.
Yet We Were Liars is not without missteps. Some episodes meander, particularly in the middle, and the slow pacing risks losing viewers who aren't already familiar with the book's twist. The show's flirtation with horror through disorienting edits and eerie visuals, meant to symbolise Cadence's mental state, doesn't always land and feels out of sync with the emotional tone.
But what ultimately saves the series is its final act. As Cadence's memories return, the pieces fall into place with a gut-punch that, while softened slightly by uneven buildup, still delivers emotionally. The last two episodes are haunting and heartbreaking, reminding us why Lockhart's original twist left readers stunned.
We Were Liars is not a flawless adaptation, but it's a deeply affecting one. Its exploration of generational trauma, loss of innocence, and the facade of perfection resonates even when its structure falters. It may leave some viewers yearning for tighter storytelling or a clearer narrative focus, but its emotional payoff, especially for those going in unspoiled, is worth the ride.
Whether you're a fan of the book or stepping into Beechwood for the first time, We Were Liars offers a melancholic mystery that lingers after the credits roll. And if a second season is on the cards, it's the Sinclair sisters not just the Liars, we hope to see more of.
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