The Undoing

HBO | Release Date: October 25, 2020

6.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 58 Ratings

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Method__ManNov 13, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Acting is top notch. But once again, another colour desaturated boring “mystery” thriller with supremely stupid characters. Basically every episode is a slog waiting to see what stupid thing the cast does next.

I am starting to get tires of these grey colour, grey plot, grey drama shows.

And the whole not getting a lawyer thing, in the USA? No one does that.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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GlassoNov 30, 2020

If you watch this until the end you will know how truly terrible it actually is. Really poor quality television. Grant is pretty awful by the end, nothing more than a few eyebrow wobbles. Kidman is also dialling it in.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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truerockNov 9, 2020

How could professional critics not like this series?
The acting and directing are excellent. There is nothing not to like about it.
I read a couple dozen professional reviews trying to figure out what I was missing and I finally did see theHow could professional critics not like this series?
The acting and directing are excellent. There is nothing not to like about it.
I read a couple dozen professional reviews trying to figure out what I was missing and I finally did see the pattern.
There is a large contingent of professional critics who have a personal agenda they bring to their work. In this case The Undoing is an example of wealthy-pretty-people-with-problems and they are going to not like the series on that basis alone.

I can't object to any individual not liking a series because it does not fit their requirements for entertainment. I completely accept that.

I have been thinking about this issue for the last 3 or 4 years and I think we have arrived at a point where people will say they do not like attractive/rich people and therefore they will not like entertainment associated with rich/attractive people.

I'm not sure where I go with this understanding. It seems to me it is now at a point where I completely ignore the Metacritic professional critic scores and now I find the Metacritic "User Score" to be more useful. Obviously the "User Scores" are even more obvious in an extreme range of irrelevant biases - but, somehow they seem to statistically balance how to better reflect the artistic value of a specific movie or series.

I value the opinions of professionals. They hopefully provide a higher level of insight and objectivity. I guess I would suggest that Metacritic needs to create a new score based on just a select few critics who have a higher level of objectivity in their approach to their work. I realize that might not be possible.

I can appreciate that for many individuals, it is primarily if not wholly an emotional reflection of the entertainment's subject matter point of view - and, the emotion can be in complete disregard to artistic merit. I can accept that. Still, I am on the opposite end of this issue and am almost entirely interested in the artistic merits... even in such things as documentaries.

Thus, this is obviously reflected in things such as preference to certain genres. Some people can not enjoy romantic-comedies. Some people can not enjoy science-fiction. There are particular plot tropes that some individuals are not able to deal with intellectually and emotionally. So, their evaluations are within a narrow context of predefined opinions which I don't think are particularly valuable to a general audience. And, it would be acceptable if the evaluations were within some reasonable boundaries of reality - but, unfortunately it seems the individuals that are most strongly detached from objectivity are likely to provide ridiculous ratings such as 0 or 10 (1 and 9, etc) that are obviously non-reflective of useful information.… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

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OlivierPielNov 2, 2020

Pros: clearly money went into this: all technical aspects are super pro, esp. the photography, sets are lavish, and the actors are expensive
Cons: After 1 episode even if we don't know where this is going (whodunnit, dun dun dun), we knowPros: clearly money went into this: all technical aspects are super pro, esp. the photography, sets are lavish, and the actors are expensive
Cons: After 1 episode even if we don't know where this is going (whodunnit, dun dun dun), we know this is not going to be very satisfying what with the hamfisted whole haves/have nots trope, on-the-nose upper middle-class clichés and Hugh Grant playing basically himself (and not believeble as a neurosurgeon at all). I'm just glad I'm pirating this and not paying a subscription! Argh!… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

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andy24king24Dec 1, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Be aware there are spoilers. The thing I love about this series is the actors and the cast, the writing, New York. Every episode is full of intrigue and suspense. And as we build up to last nights finale for me I felt somewhat of an anti climax. All the way thru it the suspect is Hugh Grant. Every episode try’s to give you another suspect or something to look at to divert away from Grant. And just to say Hugh Grant is awesome. And by episode 6 it all comes clear in all its bloody glory who the suspect is and it’s Hugh Grant. All the way thru it’s Grant. But for me the star of this series is Nicole Kidman, she is awesome. A brilliant series that builds and builds great suspense and just a bit kind of I told you it was him feeling. Grant and Kidman’s awesome, directing was spot on but it wasn’t perfect but so close.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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JLuis_001Dec 5, 2020

Having finished with the last episode today, I must say that this adaptation could've been easily a movie instead of a miniseries.

I say this because the mystery is not that intriguing and to a certain extent it's too obvious and I can'tHaving finished with the last episode today, I must say that this adaptation could've been easily a movie instead of a miniseries.

I say this because the mystery is not that intriguing and to a certain extent it's too obvious and I can't help but feel that the writers tried to extend it as much as possible, although I don't understand why.

Of the cast, the big names like: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Edgar Ramírez and Donald Sutherland, they hardly even try.
Who in my opinion leaves a real impression is Noma Dumezweni as the lawyer Haley Fitzgerald, and that says a lot.

Susanne Bier delivers an elegant but very cold work. Like I said, the mystery is simple and therefore the suspense is only effective in the first two episodes, after that it dissolves into a kind of Law & Order of rich people **** themselves over.
Especially when you consider how simple if feels the way it reveals the murderer and murder.

I always say: never judge something by your expectations but by what it is, but frankly I expected much, much more.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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manningn15Jan 17, 2021

The Undoing was a very interesting and intriguing mystery and one of my favorite miniseries I've seen. The acting from Nicole Kidman and Huge Grant was phenomenal, they gave very strong emotionally powerful performances. Noma Dumezweni,The Undoing was a very interesting and intriguing mystery and one of my favorite miniseries I've seen. The acting from Nicole Kidman and Huge Grant was phenomenal, they gave very strong emotionally powerful performances. Noma Dumezweni, Donald Sutherland, Matilda De Angelis, and Noah Jupe gave outstanding supporting performances. The costumes were spectacular especially ones wore by Nicole Kidman. The makeup and hairstyling was excellent especially on Nicole Kidman. The music was superb. Nicole sounded beautiful performing the opening theme song. The writing was ok but not the best, the story and character development were not the strongest and just not that well developed and they didn't have much depth.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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kingakNov 24, 2020

The performances are great. The directing- great. The plot- interesting. Scenography, costumes, soundtrack fine. Everything seems to be working and yet it's not. Script is unbearably pretentious. Writers were trying to make the show soThe performances are great. The directing- great. The plot- interesting. Scenography, costumes, soundtrack fine. Everything seems to be working and yet it's not. Script is unbearably pretentious. Writers were trying to make the show so 'intellectual' and 'smart' and 'wow so many deep speeches' that it's hard to watch. It's sad because it had so much potential. Well, next time HBO.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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Dan_BDec 4, 2020

Grace Fraser (Nicole Kidman) es una exitosa psicóloga clínica , felizmente casada con Jonathan Fraser (Hugh Grant), un también exitoso oncólogo infantil. El matrimonio cuenta con un hijo preadolescente, Henry (Noha Jupe) y conforman unaGrace Fraser (Nicole Kidman) es una exitosa psicóloga clínica , felizmente casada con Jonathan Fraser (Hugh Grant), un también exitoso oncólogo infantil. El matrimonio cuenta con un hijo preadolescente, Henry (Noha Jupe) y conforman una familia neoyorquina de clase más que media alta (bah, rica). La calma de la familia se ve profundamente alterada (la caída -undoing- del título) cuando una conocida de ellos es asesinada y Jonathan desaparece misteriosamente.

The Undoing tiene varios puntos en común con la anterior miniserie de David E. Kelley, Big Little Lies: familia de clase media alta, colegios caros, una protagonista que no registra la realidad con amigas tipo serpentario, un marido problemático, un asesinato.

Pero claro, hay diferencias: no es una historia coral como aquella, ya que la trama se concentra en la familia protagónica (que se completa con el padre de Grace, encarnado por Donald Sutherland) y se inclina más decididamente por el thriller y el drama tribunalicio, con efectivos cliffhangers al final de cada capítulo y un registro realista. La directora Susanne Bier nos ofrece un relato lineal, en término generales.

En este caso, la Grace de Kidman es un personaje más glamoroso (tal vez demasiado) e independiente que el de BLL. Como es usual, su actuación es muy buena. Grant compone de manera brillante su por lo menos ambiguo e inquietante personaje, que irónica y autorreferencialmente comienza en la tónica de sus amables personajes habituales. Sutherland despliega su sobria eficiencia de siempre. Pero las tres revelaciones de la serie son Noma Dubezweni, como Haley FItzgerald, una fría (y carismática) abogada que dispara las mejores líneas de diálogo de la serie, Lupe como el atribulado y difícil papel del hijo y la bella e inquietante Matilda de Angelis, una joven madre que tendrá un rol central en la trama.

La historia de The Undoing se sigue con mucho interés y sus diversos componentes (drama familiar, thriller, drama judicial) se hallan muy bien equilibrados, con un núcleo familiar sometido a tensiones y dilemas extremos.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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geewahJan 8, 2021

A beautifully shot suspense that is let down by it's predictablity. Grant & Kidman are good enough without ever stepping out of their comfort zone.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Ruabadfsh2Feb 17, 2021

A great lead up to a disappointing end. Overall the acting and characters are brilliant but I am very disappointed in the unsatisfying conclusion.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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Mauro_LanariJan 17, 2021

(Mauro Lanari)
"Ugh. Well, I'll probably never see her again, because they hire you to give them the hard truths, and then, then they fire you for delivering them": at the 9th minute of the 1st episode of "The Undoing" it is already evident(Mauro Lanari)
"Ugh. Well, I'll probably never see her again, because they hire you to give them the hard truths, and then, then they fire you for delivering them": at the 9th minute of the 1st episode of "The Undoing" it is already evident that among character designers someone has skipped the lessons on the reality principle: since when, if you graduate in clinical psychology at Harvard, are you exempted from knowing negative transference, from undergoing didactic therapy and from being periodically followed/monitored by a supervisor? Would Kidman have 20 years of work experience only as a detective? Did Susanne Bier direct the HBO miniseries to commemorate the centenary of Freudian failure ("Beyond the Pleasure Principle", 1920)? At least I would have left the name "Grace" to the protagonist of the excellent "Dogville" (Trier 2003)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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AK_elChapoJan 2, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Blank actors. Plastic Kidman. NO TWIST or whatsoever. Alright for the 3 first episodes then just nothing but disappointing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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lipinoApr 16, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This show accidentally almost became great, then didn’t.

I went into this show fresh, not knowing anything about it. Turned out to be a captivating murder mystery. When it looked like Grace might be the murderer, it was a great Gone Girl-esque twist. But it wasn’t for sure yet - there were still other clues, others with motive. And still the possibility that it was just a random attack, that sucked these people into a whirlwind of attention and suspicion that would expose their secrets. Brilliant!

Then the courtroom scenes started, and I raised an eyebrow. The worst courtroom depiction I’ve ever seen. The bad writing seemed out of place for such a clever show. The show started to drag.

Then the huge twist - it was the son! The one person I didn’t expect. I thought, what a twist, well done. I couldn’t wait to see how they would deal with that. Surely Grace would try to cover it up. They wouldn’t just leave her as a one-dimensional doll-like character - this would really challenge her and her father and reveal their true colors. And how would Jonathan deal with that? He was obviously a sociopath and completely self-interested, but on the other hand it was his son. Could the sociopath throw his son under the bus to save himself? What a dilemma. And then episode 6 happened. It was a possible ending that I had feared, hoped against. I know the trend in Hollywood. I know Gone Girl was an exception. I know it’s always the white man, in the end. I know the white women are perfect and infallible. As a reviewer on Vulture said in her negative review, “…a revenge fantasy…A trio of white women conspired to give a terrible white man his comeuppance.”

People who liked it say the show turned the audience into “the wife who stands by her man” and showed us all how easy it is to be duped. The problem is we don’t relate to Grace at all. There is nothing relatable about her, unless you have a vacation home in the Hamptons. We don’t like Jonathan either. We know he was faking emotion about his sister, we believe that he’s a sociopath. He had a baby with his mistress. We are not rooting for him. We take glee in seeing him go through this - this is his punishment. But just because he’s a sociopath doesn’t mean he’s a killer. I thought the final twist was that the son got the same gene, except he actually got violent.

Instead we got a bizarre ending. Shades of Bill Murray taking the groundhog hostage and driving off a cliff.

What really happened is the show’s creators accidentally stumbled onto something far better than what the show actually was. It was an accidentally great show, for a minute, in a genre it didn’t intend to be in. It almost became Knives Out.
And now the bad writing makes more sense. The worst courtroom scenes ever. A total mistrial. That didn’t make sense when I thought this was a smart show. It makes sense now. That is real twist.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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priyaRaiFeb 27, 2022

I binged watched the entire show in one night. I couldn't stop watching. Every single part is played so incredibly well and when it ends, you're left with your jaw on the ground. I know it's based on a book, but it's so well written. IfI binged watched the entire show in one night. I couldn't stop watching. Every single part is played so incredibly well and when it ends, you're left with your jaw on the ground. I know it's based on a book, but it's so well written. If you're into psychological thriller, you'll love this.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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