ryanwhibberd

A deeply moving story of humanity and healing. The acting is brilliant by all, with excellent character development where you become deeply invested and supportive of every character and story despite their flaws. Nicole Kidman is particularly strong but the entire cast are incredible. The story develops at a necessarily slow but deliberate pace which enables the actualisation of the empathetic human aspect of the series. There is enough drama to maintain interest for the average viewer but the core of the series is about the nature of healing and growth, every single one of us are fighting our own little battles in some form, especially the more important ones within.

I think the negative reviews come from the mis-anticipated/sold genre, expecting a dark mystery thriller instead of a meaningful very real tale of human suffering and growth. I suspect that aspect of the story that diverges from the book was to create a hook for interest and lure in an audience who may not otherwise have been drawn. However, in my opinion this is executed flawlessly and actually adds to the wider message and meaning of the series by adding a further depth of forgiveness, redemption and healing for even the most flawed.

I would recommend this series for all but to watch it understanding the genre and manage your expectations, if you do, you will not be disappointed. It also offers up the current affairs topic of healing through psychedelic therapy, an insightful grey space issue or intriguing at the least.

Simply exceptional.

The production quality of the film is excellent, which gives the expectation for a good film, especially if intrigued by the trailer.

However, the film is just plain weird and not in a good way. The story seems to never really start, doesn't really know where it's trying to go and never really arrives anywhere.

I think, emphasis on think, it's trying to be clever as a metaphorical coming of age warning about sexual exploitation in the fashion industry? But the film doesn't achieve this aim and besides the very start and very end, the fantasy aspect is effectively irrelevant.

If aimed for children/young teens, it seems inappropriately overly sexual with a cast of all young minors and if aimed at adults it's just fundamentally built for the wrong audience with the irrelevant fantasy tale - which by the way makes no sense and I have no clue what happened, something about a key getting passed between witch sisters?!?

My wife wrapped after about 30 mins in, I committed to give it a chance but it never took off and then just ended, whilst simultaneously being weirdly inappropriate for the nature of film.

Don't recommend, even for intrigue.