The Stranger – Netflix Series Review (4/5)

THE STRANGER is a new Netflix series based on the novel by Harlan Coben. It might seem strangely supernatural at first, but it really isn’t. Everyday lies and secrets are plenty to create the plot of this thriller. Read our The Stranger series review here!

The Stranger is a new Netflix series in the thriller, drama and mystery genres. While the first episode might make you think something supernatural is at play, that’s not the case. Nor will the story attempt to make you think so. The eight episodes in this series are extremely interesting and you should be hooked from the very first episode.

Also, let me tell you this without giving any spoilers for The Stranger. This series is full of twists and turns along the way. And you will be shocked and surprised a few times. Mostly by how the smallest secrets can result in really awful events.

Continue reading our series review of The Stranger below.

Richard Armitage plays Adam Price

Okay, the main protagonist isn’t always very recognizable. Most international audiences probably got to know Richard Armitage as a bearded dwarf in The Hobbit trilogy. However, in The Stranger, Richard Armitage very much looks like himself as Adam Price.

If the name Adam Price seems familiar, it might be because the Netflix series Ragnarok (released the day after The Stranger series) is created by Adam Price. Yes, it does seem like a freak accident that the protagonist in one Netflix series has the same name as the creator of another series. And that the two are released one day apart!

You might like: Our season 1 review of the Netflix series Ragnarok here >

While Richard Armitage is really good in The Stranger, I care a lot more about many other characters. Mostly because they all have secrets and we need to figure out how they impact their lives.

Trying to solve a lot of the mystery, we have two police detectives. They’re played by Siobhan Finneran (A Confession) and Kadiff Kirwan (Black Mirror episode Nosedive) who have brilliant chemistry in a comedic way.

Also, we have Stephen Rea as a retired police officer turned private detective. He is a huge part of this story as he tries to help Adam Price (Richard Armitage).

You should recognize most faces in this cast

Along with the main characters, we have the always wonderful Anthony Head as Ed Price (the father of Adam Price). Anthony Head was recently in Feedback (read our review here). His character in this new Netflix series is more along those lines than our dear Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Also, Jennifer Saunders (from comedy duo French and Saunders and the Absolutely Fabulous series) is playing a very serious role in The Stranger. Something she does damn well, so she could easily branch out more into drama. If she wanted to, of course.

As the son of Adam Price, Thomas, we have Jacob Dudman. If you’ve watched the series The A List which is a BBC production out on Netflix now, then you’ll recognize him from that.

You might like: Our The A-List season 1 review here >

Hannah John-Kamen plays the title role of “The Stranger” who sets everything into motion. She also has a sidekick who is played by the wonderful Lily Loveless from Skins. Unfortunately, Lily Loveless isn’t nearly enough in this series but both her and (especially) Hannah John-Kamen are amazing in it.

You probably know Hannah John-Kamen from either the Killjoys series on SyFy or as Ava (aka “Ghost”) in Ant-Man and the Wasp. Also, she’s been in Game of Thrones and two episodes of Black Mirror. First in season 1 and then again in season 3 of Black Mirror. Basically, she does a lot of genre productions.

Up next for Hannah John-Kamen is Brave New World which is also a sci-fi series based on Aldous Huxley’s book.

The ending of The Stranger on Netflix

This is not one of those “The ending of The Stranger explained”-pieces because this Netflix series doesn’t require one. All will be answered by the ending of The Stranger. And yes, some answers are also given along the way, of course.

You might like: We do actually write spoiler-filled “ending explained” posts, which you can find here >

Now, you will probably have guessed some of the plot twists and mysteries. I know I did, but to be fair, I also make all kinds of guesses while watching a mystery such as this. After all, even a broken clock is right twice a day, so I don’t want to toot my own horn too much.

No, that’s wrong. *toot toot* I did manage to guess key plot points for The Stranger ending which I am quite proud of. However, so will you if you pay attention. This is not a supernatural story or anything else along the lines of sci-fi. It’s a thriller with drama and mystery.

The ending of The Stranger is very satisfying because it gives you all the answers. However, be warned that it might not be the answers you expect or even want to hear.

Watch The Stranger series on Netflix now!

The Stranger really is a tight and awesome series told over eight episodes. The series is based on the book by Harlan Coben who is also the creator of this series. I have not read the book so I can’t say if it follows the book. I don’t even know if it’s a good adaption, but I can say that The Stranger is a damn good Netflix series.

Harlan Coben also wrote the novel on which the brilliant French 2006 movie Tell No One (org. title Ne le dis à personne) is based. If you haven’t watched that one, I really recommend it.

The directors of the episodes in The Stranger series on Netflix include Daniel O’Hara and Hannah Quinn. Daniel O’Hara has previously directed episodes of the 2018 Netflix series Safe which was also created by Harlan Coben.

Hannah Quinn has directed for a few TV series but also worked as a Unit or Assistant Director in various capacities on huge blockbusters. These include movies such as Saving Private Ryan (1998), Gladiator (2000), Children of Men (2006), and The Martian (2015).

If you like a good thriller with a realistic and intense mystery, then The Stranger is definitely for you!

All 8 episodes in Season 1 of The Stranger are out on Netflix globally from January 30, 2020.

Details

Created by: Harlan Coben
Directed by: Daniel O’Hara & Hannah Quinn
Stars: Richard Armitage, Siobhan Finneran, Hannah John-Kamen, Jennifer Saunders, Anthony Head, Stephen Rea, Paul Kaye, Shaun Dooley, Lily Loveless, Dervla Kirwan, Jacob Dudman, Brandon Fellows, Kadiff Kirwan, Ella-Rae Smith, Jade Harrison

Plot

When a stranger makes a shocking claim about his wife, family man Adam Price becomes entangled in a mystery as he desperately searches for answers.