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Big Little Lies

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 78 Critic Reviews

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78

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 86 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	Your Score
8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 86 Ratings

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Big Little Lies

Now Playing: Big Little Lies

Big Little Lies

Series Details & Credits

HBO | Release Date: February 19, 2017

Summary: The David E. Kelley adaptation of Liane Moriarity's novel of the same name about how seemingly perfect lives of three mothers of kindergartners--Celeste (Nicole Kidman), Madeline (Reese Witherspoon) and Jane (Shailene Woodley)--end in murder.

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama

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Recent Episodes

tbd
S2:E7. I Want to Know
Air Date: July 21, 2019
tbd
S2:E6. The Bad Mother
Air Date: July 14, 2019
tbd
S2:E5. Kill Me
Air Date: July 7, 2019

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

78

Positive:

68

Mixed:

10

Negative:

0

Critic Reviews

100

The Oregonian

Kristi Turnquist

Jun 10, 2019

Season 2 Review: Though there are a few moments where Kelley gives in to his tendencies for burlesque – as in the characterization of the principal of the elementary school attended by the main characters’ children – in the first three episodes, “Big Little Lies” retains the invigorating mix of dark comedy and drama that made the first season so special. ... Rather than running out of gas in its second season, “Big Little Lies” is more deliciously watchable than ever. Read full review

91

Newsday

Verne Gay

Feb 15, 2017

Season 1 Review: Yes, it can be mean, and yes, superficial, and yes, a little draggy (almost a whole episode about a kids’ party, really?). But the cast is fabulous, and the script by Kelley sparkles. A winner. Read full review

88

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Feb 16, 2017

Season 1 Review: Big Little Lies offers a modern take that is consistently engaging and artistically rewarding. Narratively, it could have been one or two episodes shorter than its seven-episode length (the plot doubles back and spins its wheels a few times). But this world has been so fully-realized and perfectly calibrated by the cast and crew that you’ll probably wish it was one or two episodes longer. Read full review

80

Las Vegas Weekly

Josh Bell

Feb 16, 2017

Season 1 Review: The show could turn out to be soapy or campy, but instead it demonstrates the power and impact of family, community and friendship, how those bonds are just as meaningful and just as dramatic as any grand political or criminal enterprise. It doesn’t need dragons or mobsters or robots to stand as HBO’s best drama in years. Read full review

80

Washington Post

Hank Stuever

Jun 5, 2019

Season 2 Review: Although “Big Little Lies” doesn’t seem entirely sure of where it’s headed, it can still work itself up into a delectably roiling state of privilege and anger. Read full review

75

Boston Herald

Mark A. Perigard

Feb 17, 2017

Season 1 Review: HBO made the first six episodes available for review, and they’re all entertaining. Read full review

40

The Hollywood Reporter

Tim Goodman

Feb 7, 2017

Season 1 Review: The series might have worked better if it let the strong cast make the most of the troubled writing--good actors can elevate tired scripts and, in reverse, tamp down overly dramatic ones. But that Greek chorus of witnesses that props up the construction of the series undermines their work. Read full review

SEE ALL 78 REVIEWS

Write a Review

8.5

User Reviews

10

FilmTVReview

Jul 27, 2019

Just look at that cast! LOOK AT IT! Oscar winners in a TV series? What a time to be alive!
Monterrey-based housewives struggling with the little lies in life that lead to damn big ones sounds like some copy of Desperate Housewives. But it’s not. It’s better. Reese Witherspoon is hilarious.Just look at that cast! LOOK AT IT! Oscar winners in a TV series? What a time to be alive!
Monterrey-based housewives struggling with the little lies in life that lead to damn big ones sounds like some copy of Desperate Housewives. But it’s not. It’s better. Reese Witherspoon is hilarious. Shailene Woodley is underrated. Meryl Streep is Meryl Streep. And it’s not often someone can outdo her. But then there’s Nicole Kidman. She is unbelievably good. *Big* entertainment! *Little* wrong with it! And *Lies* something... can’t think what to write with that...… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

10

Jdank

Jun 2, 2019

Just rewatched the series to prepare for the second season and I forgot how good this show and story are. It digs deep into the complexities of life as well as human nature. It’s funny, sad, thrilling and addicting.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

10

Robertkingsbury

Sep 6, 2019

Incredible cast, great acting, well written, directed and edited. A deluxe contemporary soap opera that centers complex female experience.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

10

Nima13TSW

Jul 14, 2019

Everyone who is a drama freak, should watch this brilliant masterpiece. Perfect storytelling, great attention to details and awesome acting all make "BLL" another HBO's wonderful TV shows.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

10

Trineo99

Jul 22, 2019

First of all, if you looked at the cast list and thought that this show is full of amazing talent it has to be well acted right and to that, I say you are correct. All five of the leading ladies are perfectly cast in their parts and I cannot see anybody else playing them. From the firstFirst of all, if you looked at the cast list and thought that this show is full of amazing talent it has to be well acted right and to that, I say you are correct. All five of the leading ladies are perfectly cast in their parts and I cannot see anybody else playing them. From the first season to the second one you can easily see their transformations as people and how the actresses had to also change with their characters. This can be seen with Celeste, played by Nicole Kidman, and Renata, played by Laura Dern, in season two of the show. Both ladies had major character development in that season from when you first see them in season one to the finale episode. Season two had a great addition with Meryl Streep, who plays Mary Louise, and I can honestly say she was brilliant in this role. She could easily make you sympathize with her and hate her all at different times but hey that’s Meryl Streep for you. But it wasn’t just the women who were great but also the men in this show. I can’t really say much about them seeing how the show mainly revolves around the women but I do want to say that Adam Scott, who plays Ed, is defiantly a stand out for. In season two we get to see more of him and it's great. Season two is really where he got to show off his skills not just because of more screen time but also because of the story he’s given. The whole story of this series is great and it always keeps you on the edge of your seat from the first episode to the last. It always finds a way to throw a curveball at you that you never see coming. Really my only problem with this show is a minor one and that’s some of the editing choices. Sometimes it would transition at a random time and it wouldn’t match up. But like I said it’s pretty minor. In the end, Big Little Lies is a great series that you should definitely check out. I give Big Little Lies a 9.5/10.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

9

Voodoo123

Jun 6, 2019

+Excellent cinematography
+Fantastic cast deliver memorable performances
+Great screenplay +Decent soundtrack -Despite being very watchable the plot moves at an odd pace I was recommended BLL by a friend and was pleasantly suprised by the quality of its production. It is a well executed+Excellent cinematography
+Fantastic cast deliver memorable performances
+Great screenplay
+Decent soundtrack
-Despite being very watchable the plot moves at an odd pace

I was recommended BLL by a friend and was pleasantly suprised by the quality of its production. It is a well executed ensemble drama with some great highs and tense thrilling lows. An air of mystery surrounds the earlier episodes but that is due mainly to the 'flash forwards' from the final episode spread throughout the season. If you're a fan of kidman, dern or witherspoon then this is a must watch.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

3

FelicityFenwick

Jul 22, 2019

This whole season was one LONG tease, wholly unnecessary, and that "cliffhanger" final moment sucked. Sorry, HBO - you're normally money with these things, but you had a BIG swing and miss with this one.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SEE ALL 12 REVIEWS

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Seasons & Episodes

78

Series Overview
Season 2

82
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: June 9, 2019
- tbd
  S2:E7. I Want to Know
  Air Date: July 21, 2019
- tbd
  S2:E6. The Bad Mother
  Air Date: July 14, 2019
- tbd
  S2:E5. Kill Me
  Air Date: July 7, 2019
- tbd
  S2:E4. Big Little Lies 11
  Air Date: June 30, 2019
- tbd
  S2:E3. The End of the World
  Air Date: June 23, 2019
- tbd
  S2:E1. Episode 202
  Air Date: June 16, 2019
- tbd
  S2:E1. What Have They Done?
  Air Date: June 9, 2019
Season 1

75
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: February 19, 2017