What/If: Season 1 – Netflix Series Review

What/If is a new Netflix thriller series. It’s very camp and kitsch which won’t be for everyone. However, the suspense is intense and very efficient. If you liked Revenge, you’ll love What/If. Also, Renée Zellweger is reason enough to watch. Season 1 review of the Netflix series below!

What/If is a new thriller series on Netflix and it is so deliciously over the top that it should easily find its audience. Of course, being on the edge (and crossing it a few times) will also mean some viewers will hate it.

Still, you can’t win them all and with a show like What/If, the point is clearly to go all in. The series was created by one the creators of Revenge and this is very obvious. Not in terms of storyline, but the mystery and over-the-top characters are a sure giveaway.

Apparently, What/If is described as an anthology series, so hopefully we’ll get more stories along the lines of the one in season 1. Read more about season 1 of What/If in this spoiler-free review of the new Netflix series!

Jane Levy stars in What/If

The story in What/If revolves around the character played by Jane Levy. Her character’s name is Lisa Donovan and she has a very interesting backstory. Simple, but good, and clearly one that has made her into the strong and independent woman she is when the Netflix series begins.

Horror fans will probably recognize Jane Levy as the star of Fede Alvarez’ Evil Dead reboot from 2013. Or maybe the horror movie blockbuster Don’t Breathe from 2016. This was also made by horror director Fede Alvarez.

Along with Jane Levy, we have Blake Jenner (Within aka Crawlspace) as her husband. And also someone with a dark secret in his past. Also, there’s Danielle Pineda (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) as her best friend and business partner. She’s always a breath of fresh air and her character in What/If is no exception.

There are a lot of supporting characters in What/If but the last one I want to mention here is Foster. He is portrayed perfectly by Louis Herthum who finally had his career breakthrough with the HBO series Westworld. As the character Foster, he plays the role of Anne Montgomery’s right hand.

And who is Anne Montgomery? I’ll get to that in the next paragraph!

It’s Renée Zellweger’s world

I’ve always like Renée Zellweger. Yes, she had me at hello (I couldn’t help it, sorry not sorry) and I am so happy that she’s also back to looking like herself again. In What/If, Renée Zellweger plays the matriarch of everyone as Anne Montgomery.

You’ll quickly realize that this really is Anne Montgomery’s world. The rest of us (both characters and viewers) just live in it. And while there are characters that go up against her, they are often a few steps behind.

She is a master manipulator and proud of it. Never afraid to engage with those she battle (and cooperate with), Anne Montgomery is a character in the vein of Alexis (Joan Collins) from Dynasty or Victoria (Madeleine Stowe) from Revenge. 

Oh yes, people will love her or loathe her. And often be impressed by her either way!

Watch What/If on Netflix!

The new Netflix thriller mystery series was created by Mike Kelly. This is hardly the first series by Mike Kelly since he also created the drama-mystery-thriller series Revenge which ran for 4 seasons from 2011 to 2015. Before making this, he also created Swingtown in 2008 and wrote on several TV series prior to this.

The first two episodes are directed by Phillip Noyce who directed Angelina Jolie in both Salt (2010) and The Bone Collector (1999). Back in 1989, he also directed the iconic Rutger Hauer movie Blind Fury and the brilliant horror thriller Dead Calm starring Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane. 

I have a feeling What/If will be something you either love or hate. You can’t really keep yourself from feeling something since it’s so out there in many ways. Also, the characters in this show tend to be pushed to do some rather crazy things. Well, in some cases. In other cases, people just want to push their own boundaries a bit.

Also, I personally love the diversity of the cast and characters. That’s always a plus for me. Then again, I wouldn’t expect anything less from a show created by the man, who also gave us Revenge.

Season 1 of What/If consists of 10 episodes which means it will be binge-watched by those that get hooked by the storyline.

What/If premieres on Netflix worldwide with Season 1 on May 24, 2019.

Details

Creator: Mike Kelley
Stars: Renée Zellweger, Jane Levy, Blake Jenner, Dave Annable, Juan Castano, Gabriel Mann, Keith Powers, Samantha Marie Ware, Louis Herthum, Saamer Usmani, John Clarence Stewart

Plot

From Revenge creator Mike Kelley, What/If stars Renée Zellweger as ultimate game player, Anne Montgomery. When Anne presents a young, cash-strapped couple with an incredible opportunity, they have to decide what they’re willing to risk for a chance to have it all.