THE UNDOING is a new HBO series directed by Susanne Bier. The stellar cast should be enough to attract anyone. However, expect to be hooked by the truly excellent story in this psychological thriller featuring a tight mystery. Read our full The Undoing mini-series review here!

THE UNDOING is a new HBO series created by David E. Kelley and directed by Susanne Bier. This along with the stellar cast led by Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant should be more than enough to make you watch this.

However, I’m very happy to say that while this may be billed as a drama (isn’t everything?), it’s much more of a psychological thriller. A dark tale that features murder and lots of mystery. The kind where people reveal their true colors in ways that leave their loved ones in shock and awe. 

Continue reading our full The Undoing mini-series review below and check it out on HBO from October 25, 2020.

Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant as a couple

The two all-important lead roles are played by Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant, who both give excellent performances. They are vulnerable and are clearly at the top of their game. They portray the married couple, Grace and Jonathan Fraser, which is all-together very believable. The two have chemistry and familiarity that just works!

Nicole Kidman as Grace Fraser is the one character we follow from the very beginning. She is fascinating in all the best ways in The Undoing. Just as it was the case with the Big Little Lies series, this limited series format enables the viewer to see many sides of one person. Nicole Kidman makes it absolutely clear (yet again!) that she is one of the best actors out there!

Meanwhile, Hugh Grant as Jonathan Fraser gets the chance to show the two sides that he has become famous for; Charming gentleman and devious womanizer! It is such a pleasure to see him in this series where he appears vulnerable in a way we’ve never seen before. Also, he looks and acts his age, which suits him immensely well.

The Undoing – HBO Review

A regular tour de force of talent

The young Noah Lupe also continues to show his talent as the son, Henry Fraser. He gets caught up in the drama of this storyline in many different ways. After all, children always end up paying for the issues parents go through in public. In some way. You’ll probably recognize Noah Jupe from A Quiet Place (2018), but he was also in The Night Manager (also directed by Susanne Bier).

In the role of Grace Fraser’s (Nicole Kidman) father, we see Donald Sutherland. I hadn’t really considered it before, but the two work remarkably well as father and daughter. Both in terms of appearance and in their chemistry. Also, the lovely Lily Rabe (American Horror Story, Fractured) has a key supporting role as the best friend of Grace (Kidman).

Playing a different kind of key role is Matilda De Angelis as Elena Alves. I won’t say too much about this character to avoid spoilers. However, Matilda De Angelis definitely makes an impression and you can look forward to seeing her again soon. She has both movies and other series in the making already. Most of her previous projects have been from her native Italy.

Watch The Undoing on HBO

Danish director, Susanne Bier (Bird Box) directed all episodes of The Undoing mini-series. And she does so absolutely brilliantly. Always respecting both the characters and the storyline development. Guiding the viewer – and characters – to the next mindblowing reveal. And there are many things that are revealed throughout this series.

Of course, this should come as no surprise. After all, Susanne Bier won a Primetime Emmy for “Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series” with The Night Manager (2016). Also, she won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film (In A Better World in 2011).

This new series is based on the novel på Jean Hanff Korelitz. I can’t say how closely it follows this since I haven’t read the book. What I can tell you, is that David E. Kelley is the creator of The Undoing series adaptation. Once again, someone with an extremely impressive track record. Most recently, he also created the series adaptations of Big Little Lies and Mr. Mercedes.

This limited series has six episodes that will air weekly. In other words, you’ll have to wait for the final episode to air on November 26 before knowing everything. So will I, actually, since we received the first five episodes for this review. Every episode ends on quite a cliffhanger but still, the episode 5 cliffhanger is something else!

The Undoing premieres on HBO with episode 1 on October 25, 2020.

Details

Creator: David E. Kelley
Director: Susanne Bier
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Donald Sutherland, Noah Jupe, Edgar Ramirez, Lily Rabe, Sofie Gråbøl, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Matilda De Angelis, Noma Dumezweni.

Plot

Grace and Jonathan have their world turned upside-down when a young New York City mother is gruesomely murdered. Her body is discovered the day after a private school benefit that seems to tie the couple to the victim.

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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