A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Is Surprising Fans in One Unexpected Way

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Is Surprising Fans in One Unexpected Way

As a seasoned viewer of crime dramas and a self-proclaimed moral compass connoisseur, I must say that “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” has left me utterly intrigued and somewhat disturbed. This series masterfully illustrates how the lines between good and evil can blur under pressure, making us question our own moral compasses.


Warning: Spoilers for A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

Summary

  • A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
    explores how seemingly good people can make drastic choices under pressure.
  • Pip’s investigation uncovers the complexity of the Andie Bell case, challenging her beliefs and morals.
  • The series reveals that even “good” characters are capable of morally questionable actions under duress.

Netflix’s newest crime thriller, “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” is adapted from Holly Jackson’s young adult novel and tackles weighty subjects. The show centers around Pip Fitz-Amobi, portrayed by Emma Myers, who uses her Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) to reopen the cold case of Andie Bell, a disappearance that shook their peaceful English town five years ago. Andie’s boyfriend, Sal Singh (Rahul Pattni), allegedly confessed to her murder via text before intentionally overdosing in the woods. After his body was discovered, the case appeared closed, and the police didn’t investigate further despite Andie’s body never being found. Unconvinced by the official narrative, Pip has harbored doubts that drive her to delve deeper into the mystery using her EPQ as a platform.

In the course of Pip’s investigation, she gradually comes to understand that her small town hides a multitude of secrets she hadn’t anticipated before. The deeper she delves, the more she recognizes that the Andie Bell case isn’t as straightforward as she initially assumed. What’s more, individuals connected with the case surprise her in unexpected ways, leaving her unprepared. As she unearths other distressing events linked to Andie’s disappearance, she gains insight into how people can act ambiguously when faced with tough choices. This revelation prompts Pip to ponder her own moral compass and compels the young detective to confront the limits of her abilities. Consequently, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is certain to provoke thoughts about one’s personal morality in viewers.

Andie and Sal’s Killers Aren’t Inherently Bad People

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Is Surprising Fans in One Unexpected WayA Good Girl's Guide to Murder Is Surprising Fans in One Unexpected WayA Good Girl's Guide to Murder Is Surprising Fans in One Unexpected Way

Contrary to Pip’s initial assumptions, two individuals played a role in the tragic deaths of Andie and Sal. Neither of these individuals were essentially evil or intent on committing terrible acts. In fact, one of them was someone she completely trusted – Elliot Ward, her teacher and best friend’s father, played by Mathew Baynton. Although he undeniably did something dreadful, his actions, under the pressures of his circumstances, were hasty decisions that he deeply regretted later on.

Amidst his sorrow after losing his wife, Elliot started a relationship with Andie, which was secret and against the law. However, their relationship eventually ended when Andie threatened to reveal their affair unless Elliot paid her money. In response to her threats, they had a physical altercation during which Andie struck her head on Elliot’s kitchen counter. She left his house before he could check on her injury, but Elliot believed that he was responsible for her death as she vanished the same night.

After learning that he might be implicated in what happened to her, Elliot found himself impulsively taking drastic actions and ending Sal’s life, making it seem as though it was a despairing suicide. Prior to these unfortunate events, Elliot was a devoted father and compassionate teacher who deeply cared for his daughters and Pip. However, he may have murdered Sal in his mind, driven by the fear that if Andie’s body were discovered, it would ultimately point back to him. Tragically, following Andie’s injury at Elliot’s home, Becca (Carla Woodcock) was the one who delivered the fatal blow and later disposed of her sister’s remains.

Upon coming home, Andie admitted to Becca that she intended to depart town the following day due to their overly strict father. Overwhelmed by feelings of betrayal and rage towards her older sister, who had dealt drugs to Max Hastings (Henry Ashton) that he later used in his assault on Becca, she retaliated violently, shoving Andie against a wall. When Andie tumbled to the ground and started vomiting, Becca watched in shock and did nothing as her sister succumbed to her injuries. Convinced that it was her fault Andie died, Becca concealed her body in a secluded spot and kept quiet about the incident for five long years.

As a movie buff, I can’t help but see how Elliot and Becca’s actions, though questionable, seem like a natural progression from their choices. The series masterfully portrays ordinary, likable characters taking an ugly turn, making viewers ponder their own moral compasses. These weren’t villains by nature, eager to cause pain to others. Instead, they find themselves in dire situations where they make regrettable decisions, decisions any of us could potentially make under similar circumstances.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Displays How People Are Capable of Anything

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Is Surprising Fans in One Unexpected WayA Good Girl's Guide to Murder Is Surprising Fans in One Unexpected WayA Good Girl's Guide to Murder Is Surprising Fans in One Unexpected Way

In the course of the story, “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” illustrates that individuals can be capable of actions beyond what their character may imply. Even characters portrayed as “good” throughout the series engage in questionable behavior that leads to significant consequences for others. Besides Elliot and Becca, Naomi’s (Yasmin Al-Khudhairi) decisions have a profound impact on those around her.

Despite being Sal’s friend, she deceives the police about his location on the night of Andie’s disappearance, despite the fact that he was with her and their companions most of the night. A few months prior to Andie’s disappearance, she had abandoned the site of a hit-and-run incident on New Year’s Day after a tipsy Max swore her to keep it secret. This past event eventually catches up to them when they are coerced into lying about Sal’s whereabouts, a manipulation that they were not aware was being orchestrated by Elliot to implicate Sal further.

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but reflect on a powerful lesson from the movie we just watched: In certain situations, anyone might yield to the forces of self-protection and perform actions they never thought they were capable of. When all is unveiled, and truth surfaces, even I might hesitate to claim that I wouldn’t have made similar choices as Pip, Naomi, Elliot, or Becca did.

The entire show, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, explores the concept that human morality spans a range of shades in a world where things aren’t always clear-cut. It illustrates that people, when pushed to their limits and their survival is at stake, can do almost anything. By the conclusion of the series, viewers find themselves pondering their own moral standards. Right now, you can stream all episodes of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder on Netflix.

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2024-08-17 06:31