I enjoyed the slow burn. Sam Neill is excellent. He does a great job of portraying someone who's holding back. While the series progresses he keeps you guessing as to the type of person he might be. It's easy to say in retrospect that you knew the answer all along but, honestly, he made me wonder and I really enjoyed the journey. Annette Bening also does an excellent job of portraying a woman coming to terms with the meaning of her life upon retirement. Her kids are grown and she finds herself being alone with her husband. What happens when your identity for so long has been defined by your family and your profession? Was it all worth it? I enjoyed finding out.
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nancybonaccorso15 March 2024
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DukeEman14 March 2024Liane Moriarty's story is transferred to Miami and torn between a satire about the disintegration of a dysfunctional family (who love their tennis) and a TV melodrama mystery. There is lazy dialogue that sounds as if taken directly from the book, and characters not fully realised or fleshed out. Even the actors seem a bit lost, with Sam Neill hamming it up, just going through the motions.
Still the mystery element keeps the interest, with two detectives hot on the trail. Other factors that stood out (and hopefully get wackier) is the children who come together in search of their mother. This forces the siblings to sort out their relationship hang-ups and family squabbles.
Overall disappointing, but the dark humour and mystery just keeps it afloat. -
deedee_2000-985-34163514 March 2024I'm 3 episodes in an i have to admit i'm hooked. On the surface, this appeared to be the all-American family, but as with all things, the reality is rarely what it seems. The mother disappears and in the beginning, the father tells a different story to everyone. Lie after lie keeps piling up until someone goes to the police.
Apples Never Fall is very intriguing. Layer after layer is peeled back and we keep finding more secrets. If the remaining 4 episodes can continue at this pace, i'm very excited to see the rest.
Based on the episodes i've seen, 7 stars out of 10.
Very recommended.
An excellent watch. -
There is absolutely nothing groundbreaking about the show, but it is enjoyable, well acted, interesting, and the perfect length at seven episodes. I did not read the source material yet, but I never compare books and movies for the sake of determining which one was "better", so that really doesn't matter to me anyway. I've always loved Annette Benning and Sam Neill, and both have certainly become better with age! The rest of the cast supports them well.
As for the low scores... completely ridiculous. I probably would've rated this a 7, but I gave it an extra point just to counter some of the unfair reviewers. One person in particular rates it a 2, and goes off about Hollywood culture war, blah blah, rich white people are being demonized blah blah. Well, I'm white, and I don't see that at all. Some people just need to get a life. -
ross-fortini19 March 2024If you are willing to adjust your expectations of this limited series, you may not be let down by this generally well-acted drama.
In reality, there really is no "mystery" other than not knowing *anything* substantial about the central event for 7 of the 8 episodes. Plenty of suspicions and dubious conclusions by law enforcement are lobbed (sorry) between characters relentlessly episode after episode, with key "evidence" uncovered along the way being almost hilariously circumstantial (and obviously meant to mislead).
The *vast* majority of the episodes center around the family dynamics of the. Delaneys, with plenty of flashbacks that fill in present day interactions to explain why some family members react and behave the way they do.
In the end, the final episode was a complete letdown, with the last 5 seconds of the penultimate episode being the biggest twist/shocker of the series. I did not read the book, but it felt like the last episode was stretching the last couple pages of the book into a full hour of content.
If you temper your expectations oso that you don't expect a big payoff to the series, and instead watch it as a family melodrama wrapped around a "meh" mystery, your opinion might be higher. -
julieshotmail23 March 2024I am getting tired of shows with such promise at the beginning only to be squandered away with a rushed, thoughtless, disappointing ending. Such is the case of "Apples Never Fall." Annette Bening (recently in "Nyad"), Jake Lacy of "White Lotus," and Alison Brie ("Promising Young Woman") lure me in, and for the most part, the mysterious unfolding of events keep me tuned. The feel of this series is very similar to "Big Little Lies," being that both are based on the work of the same author. However, "Apples Never Fall" is clearly the inferior of the two, with its contrived plot turns and a waste of an ending.
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dbiglin16 March 2024I'm a big fan of Liane Moriarty's books. I found the book had a real look at family dynamics, especially between siblings. Also, the trauma that we carry from our own childhood well into adulthood. I think most of that transferred to the mini-series and I think that it stayed true to the book. They did do a bit of a change, adding in one of the children being a homosexual. However, it didn't add nor take away from the story. I found it really interesting especially how things can change and people can condemn people without proof or conviction. I think it expressed also how parents feel as I get older with the lack of communication or respect they get from their adult children. I have to admit that I couldn't stop watching it and I've binge watching it all night. I would've liked more of a resolution that the book had, but I'm satisfied. I am certainly more satisfied with this adaptation than I was with "Big Little Lies" because that street so far from the book.
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kdr503 April 2024Two award-winning veteran actors, Annette Bening and Sam Neill drag this predictable plot along, supported by their soap opera children. Robert Taylor, Sheriff Walt Longmire that was, has a small supporting role late in the show.
It's watchable enough, when Annette disappears and the family self-destructs. There are a couple of interesting twists in the backstory as the scenes switch from "then" to "now", but that part of the plot is unbelievable in the end. Everyone swearing to do better and the renewed happy family final scene is laughable. Mom was always taken for granted and left cleaning up after her ungrateful spoiled brats of a family. Mom and Dad's toxic relationship DNA has reproduced to some degree in the children. It's a cautionary tale and one probably familiar to lots of wives and mothers. Not awful, just could have been a lot better. -
Gdavidgarson9 April 2024This is the story of a family with secrets and resentments, all of which come to the fore when the mother disappears and may have been murdered, Contrary to some other reviewers, I thought the acting was great, the characters and relationships well-developed, and there is a good mystery to boot. One reviewer criticized it as being a Lifetime type show, but I think those who like relationship movies would appreciate it. For me, the "Lifetime" epithet means maudlin and "Apples Never Fall' was certainly not that. It certainly held our interest and we were never tempted to skip ahead to episode seven to see how it all ended,. It is based on the best-selling book by Australian author Liane Moriarty.
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Having read the book, and also having seen th excellent Big Little Lies adaptation by the same author, Liane Moriarty, this production is somewhat lacking.
The pacing is off, a hollow soap opera quality if you will; and the fake American accents by Australian actors Conor Merrigan Turner and Essie Randles are distracting. The author Liane Moriarty is Australian so somehow hiring Australian actors I guess is a tribute to that, accent be damned.
The 'mystery; itself is intriguing, as it was in the book, with a decent enough twist which I always enjoy. The family dynamics and individual characteristics of each family member is well done. I think Big Little Lies is the better adaptation, and I can't help but to compare it to that but definitely entertaining enough to keep me watching. -
superkt18 March 2024The cast has a lot of very famous, very respected actors who are good at their craft. However, they all come across as if they'd never met one another prior to the scene they're shooting. The dialog is so painful and so awkward. No chemistry to be found anywhere in the series.
Every episode is supposed to be a peak into each person's life but there's not enough substance to learn or make us care about them. The ancillary characters added next to nothing to the story either.
It's so slow too. I wanted to learn what happened but also just wanted to fast forward to the end to get there. Pay off wasn't really worth it. -
This was a very cozy watch. The acting is top notch by everyone, and a couple of the siblings are pretty much newcomers and they were super great. I really liked how they set up each episode to be about a different suspect. And I loved the set design of the house, it was like its own character, I wanted to live there. The ending was a little shaky for me, but the road to get there made it all worth the watch anyway. Annette Bening was exceptional, but ultimately I watched this for Mr. Handsome Jake Lacy and will continue to watch everything he's in, not sorry. (shoutout Significant Other 2022)
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fraser-simons2 April 2024While the performances are fairly uneven, I really enjoyed this adaptation of a book I really enjoyed. It's concerned with showing showing the casual damage family dynamics cause even with the privileged. Without communication skills people are just socialized into unfulfilling, cyclical abuse trauma. All with the backdrop of a mystery, which is more a whodunit than a whodunit.
The book is much better at keeping things interesting between the A plot and B plot by virtue of being in the heads of the characters, feeling more relatable, and dovetailing each kids' story with the overarching plot. The show isn't bad.
In fact, it's kind of funny reviews that dislike it say they gussed the ending right away, so it wasn't good, when the actual point is being able to emphasize with fallible people all thinking they're doing what's right for them and the family. Patting yourself on the back for being unable to empathize and being fixated on the mystery is a weird flex, but what can you expect from the general public, I guess. -
axxmqmcy17 March 2024This show had so much promise, a great cast executing what appeared to be a true "who done-it"but somewhere along the final episode the entire thing fell apart. Right away, my immediate grievance was the complete lack of realism. Nowhere in reality can a couple in America raise FOUR kids and put them thru schoolAND start their own successful business AND have this big lavish home, but it's not reality, it's TV.
So here's the plot in a nutshell, a newly retired couple is dealing with learning what life looks like now that they're no longer running their tennis-coaching business. When the mom goes missing, the father immediately becomes suspect #1, even his kids come to suspect his guilt. Let's just say he does himself NO favors in assuaging his family of his guilt.
Now, spoiler alert!!!
In the last 39 minutes of the series, we learn that the entire time the "missing" mom just felt sorry for herself and decided to take a short break in a cabin in GA the entire time with some random chick that she'd met.
Finally she comes back home, everyone cries and hugs and gets released from prison...tears are shed, all is forgiven, now let's have a family project and clean the storm debris from the personal tennis court, cut to black... This show greatly disappointed me. I wished I'd read more before sacrificing my Saturday to watch this letdown. -
Mypherium15 March 2024By episode one it's basically figured out. This could have been done into a 2 hr movie I would have passed on. The story is dull and too predictable. It's peacock so yeah... I had some hope given the cast and I'm sure if you like shows like American idol or America's got talent this will probably blow your mind. But for people who enjoy watching quality work this is not that. We started watching this because for all mankind was just getting so slow, drawn out and boring. Too many of these shows need to be condensed into movies. There is way too much filler content. They suck you into the show with intrigue and just leave you with a dull ending while spending hours on pointless character development.
Look, I'm all for good character development when you have a really good story to tell but these micro stories are just built around filler content and I'm sorry but nothing in this show is original. -
sherylverhulst-5334615 March 2024Yet another Liane Moriarty achievement. The lingering pace and the front row seat of the messiness of a seemingly perfect family gives this slow burn drama a sense of intimacy that you don't necessarily get from other suspense mysteries. It is well paced, with a front row seat to the intricacies and complexities of family life, all while circling around the mystery of, "what happened to Joy?" In a lot of ways, the story of Joy's disappearance is secondary to the commentary on what it means to be family and to the extents we will go for our family and for ourselves at their expense. I'm not sure why the negativity around this show - the acting is fantastic and the source material is masterful.
My only criticism is some of the unrealistic nature of the police involvement and how essentially the kids are doing their jobs (in order to avoid spoilers, I'm not going elaborate on that.) -
I finished watching all episodes and I have to tell you that it is not really a mystery, or a detective story, or a whodunit, it is a family drama. You know how the whole series ends by the end of episode 1, unless you're a complete doofus.
When the mother goes missing, family issues arise and family members begin blaming each other and mostly their father.
There is also a look-back plot-line of a young woman who befriends the parents one day and stays with them for a period of time and that changes the family dynamics, effecting both parents and their adult children.
And there is, also, a nearly idiotic plot-line in today times of two not very bright detectives looking for a missing mother.
IMHO, all actors did a good job with their characters, especially Sam Neill, who plays the most complex and most human character.
I gave this series a 7 out of 10 because it's not awful like most Netflix shows, but not as great as it could've been. Hopefully, we wont get a second season as this story got wrapped up and concluded.
Overall, can't recommend, but can''t advice against watching it either. -
sheiladodd15 March 2024I think I'm pretty hooked already. Some really great actors-Sam Neal and Annette Benning are in top form. I really like all the kids too not crazy about the sisters partner. She is a terrible actress. It has a really captivating storyline and sucks you in quickly. Savannnah just walks in and and is suddenly a part of the family. Just a little too quick so you know something is going on with her! I like the anticipation of where the story will go next. I'm so thankful that the language isn't over the top vulgar. If you have a really good story to tell you shouldn't need that. I like Troy and hope to see his character developing. I really like what I see and I looking forward to more. It has the same feel as Big Little Lies which was awesome. I'd be love to see another season of it and it's amazing cast.
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gailmck-6222419 March 2024This series started well and pulled me in for the first half. Sadly it is another example of a series that ends poorly leaving the viewer wondering what the heck did I just watch. The family dynamics are truly sad with each person being totally self absorbed and the Father, Sam Neill, being truly dislikeable. In the middle of that lot you have the interloper who no one questions. This, in my view, makes the series totally unbelievable. After a complicated six episodes of family dynamics, which, in parts, was full of suspense, the whole lot fell flat with several things left unanswered. This left me wondering what I had just watched.
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davidahenning28 March 2024I don't ask a lot from a film - or series in this case. All I ask for is a realistic, believable plot, characters with real strengths and weaknesses, conflict and conclusion. Sadly, that's a big ask for most movies these days.
I had no expectations of Apples Never Fall other than some engaging cinematography. But I was pleasantly surprised when it was all over. Although, I admit that I nearly didn't watch the last episode after the set up. But I'm very glad I did. Here is what I got for my patience: A believable story (for the most part), at least six characters with a clear character arc, conflict that shifted slightly with ever telling of the story and a very satisfying resolution (even if it depended on a trope which I could have done without). I don't ask much. All expectations were met. -
angelap-1034315 March 2024It's great acting and format but I'm tired of the mom is so unappreciated andost her life because of kids. I have two kids and I have a career and hobbies! Can we stop acting liking being mom steals everything from you? It's insulting. Frankly the main character, beautifully portrayed, is awful and can't see how she is in the wrong. Now that being written I'm halfway through the final episode so maybe this will change as more comes to light but the over all attitude from the mom makes me think it's surprising how wonderful her kids think she is. I'll say this...it did make me consider being a con artist if I can have that house in the mountains.
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rtailor-0490119 March 2024So I had nothing to watch and I saw that Annette Bening and Sam Neil were in a new show. I was so excited. And then....ugh. It is so bad. I think I saw someone compare this to Succession saying it was not as good. That would be the biggest understatement! The character plot line of the family is all over the place. It was if they had to check all the boxes of any movie in existence. Drama, money, lesbian, black sheep, infidelity, mental illness, violence, sex, the list goes on. That is why I got to the point that I didn't care what happened. Just put me out of my misery. I fast forwarded thru the ridiculous added dramatic scenes just to see how it ends. Uggh. Watch something else.
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rick-418-57028625 March 2024The fact that I binged 5 1/2 episodes in one day and finished it the next morning means this was pretty darn good. The acting was good enough that I cared about the characters. I teared up at points during the last episode (I know I'm a sucker for emotional scenes).
My only issue was that I cared about Savannah and she is dropped like an old lead iron. I know it would be maudlin but I wanted Joy to take her in at the end. Or some happier ending for her. I liked her more than the siblings.
I also would have enjoyed more scenes of various characters finding out.that Joy was alive -- the detectives, the husband and each of the kids.
The fact that I cared about these things speaks well for the writing, direction and acting. -
SnoopyStyle9 April 2024Troy (Jake Lacy), Logan (Conor Merrigan Turner), Brooke (Essie Randles) and Amy (Alison Brie) are the adult children of Joy (Annette Bening) and Stan Delaney (Sam Neill). The parents ran a competitive tennis camp which left each of their children with their own issues. The kids notice that their mother seems to be missing and their father seems to be lying. After four days, the police is brought in. In the past, the family gets invaded by troubled Savannah (Georgia Flood).
Alison Brie is good at being a flighty mess. Sam Neill is good at being withholding. He never actually answers a question. Jake Lacy is annoyingly arrogant. This is family dysfunction at a DNA level. They're all good at their roles and none of them are that appealing. It's the same novelist as Big Little Lies and I seem to be less of a fan than most. I have similar issues with this series, but I am more willing to sit through this. It's shorter and easier on my frustrations. It's the phrase... "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Some people have fun ruminating on each unhappy family. I find no particular joy in it. They could have made it better with smarter cops. Instead, they're kinda dumb and played by second tier actors. Even the smart one isn't smart. The last episode has a fine reveal but it doesn't go far enough. It should go full-on bonkers. It's a seven episode limited series and the middle gets a little draggy. This is fine. -
alex-27818 March 2024This is so bad and I am not exaggerating. It is hard to put a finger on how to describe it, but I kept looking at the actors waiting them to look to camera and say something like "What do you think of this farce?" - to somehow break the spell. The comical expressions of Sam Neil , in order to feign guilt (I assume that is what he was trying to do) are odd to say the least, especially when being subtly accused of his wife's disappearance.
And another thing - Sam Neil says in almost the opening scene that he is from Queensland, and then puts on an American accent that sounds so fake it makes you cringe with every utterance. Why he could not have just used his NZ/Oz accent to at least help with the show's authenticity is beyond me.