The Undoing [2020]

The Undoing is a beautifully shot mystery that is saved thanks to Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant’s performances.

To be honest, the show is a mixed bag. A therapist’s life (Nicole Kidman) unravels after she learns that her husband (Hugh Grant) might be responsible for a widespread disaster. However, like the seemingly perfect lives of its characters, it doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. If only its story was as strong as its star power.

I took my time to watch HBO’s The Undoing mainly because the trailer didn’t really manage to get me hooked. It gave me a weird vibe of “Big Little Lies”, but on a smaller scale. Both starring Kidman, I binged this whole show in less than a day. And I’m happy and thankful to say that the final episode of this show managed to save it from my total dismay.

Mainly thanks to the chemistry between Kidman and Grant, the final episode kept me on the edge of my seat. Plus, it also helps that Hugh Grant waited till the final episode to unleash and highlight his acting chops. These two are so good, in fact, that it’s not easy to tell whether the show is really great or just a run-of-the-mill thriller with a brilliant casting director.

At a high level, The Undoing has an intriguing mystery at its core, and a wonderful ensemble. However, questionable structural choices give the series an odd “stop and go” feeling, padding it out to its lengthy runtime of 332 minutes.

Should you watch it?

While The Undoing strings together just enough surprises to keep viewers interested, its writing and direction are both muddled, making for an occasionally unpleasant viewing experience. Except for the final episode with mega-help from its two main stars.

Where can I watch it?

You can stream The Undoing exclusively on HBO Max in USA and Crave in Canada.