We Were Liars Review: A Slow Start And Overstuffed Plot Make It Hard To Stay Interested

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There are two groups of people who might watch “We Were Liars“: those who have already read the book by E. Lockhart, and thus know the story (or are okay being spoiled), and those who haven’t. People who have read the book will likely find this series enjoyable as it saves most of its twists for the finale. However, viewers unaware of the source material might get frustrated during the first few episodes. This show faces a dilemma: it becomes more engaging and clearer as it progresses, but by the time everything falls into place, it may be too late to retain some viewers. On the flip side, those who have read the book may find varying degrees of satisfaction, even if they have to endure some early episodes that don’t offer much new content until the more interesting parts come along.

The storyline appears rather straightforward: Cadence Sinclair, the eldest granddaughter of wealthy magnate Harris Sinclair, mysteriously finds herself on a beach in just her undergarments, with no recollection of the past two months or the events of that night. However, the situation becomes far more intricate when we take into account her family dynamics. Before her head injury, Cadence’s life was filled with all the advantages that money and privilege could offer. She, along with her cousins Mirren and Johnny, were overachievers with blonde hair who spent their summers on Beechwood Island, a private island owned by Harris, constructing sandcastles and hosting parties.

Here comes Gat (Shubham Maheshwari), Ed’s (Rahul Kohli) nephew, who tragically lost his uncle and is accompanied to the island due to Ed dating Johnny’s mother, Carrie (Mamie Gummer). Despite this initial reluctance, Gat develops an affinity for the island that matches everyone else’s, in stark contrast to his ordinary life back at his mother’s place, which bears no resemblance to Beechwood. Each year thereafter, he returns to the island with Ed and bonds with Cadence, Mirren, and Johnny, forming a close-knit group that they call the “Liars,” a nickname bestowed upon them due to some minor falsehoods they told, as their family refers to them.

Currently, Cadence can’t recall the events from the end of her 16th summer, and she feels a mix of apprehension and turmoil. Her mother, Penny (played by Caitlin FitzGerald), has informed her that she can’t reveal what transpired, instead urging Cadence to uncover it herself. This confuses Cadence as she fails to grasp the reason behind this secret-keeping. In an attempt to unravel the truth, Cadence resolves to return to the island and demonstrates her determination by dying her hair black.

The main issue lies in the fact that Cadence’s initial story arc seems to lack progression for a significant portion. Entire episodes pass without much advancement, which unfortunately weakens the show from the start. If not for the intrigue of how “We Were Liars” ultimately ends, there would be little motivation to keep watching.

The show does improve as it goes on

In the series “We Were Liars,” the episodes progress from bad to less terrible in a manner that seems almost backwards when viewed chronologically. The first episode, titled “Tell Me Sweet Little Lies,” is particularly poor, due to its haste, confusion, and overcrowding with popular songs. This structure might be typical of young adult series, but it’s problematic here. Unfortunately, episodes 2 through 4 don’t improve much. They delve into the developing relationship between Cadence and Gat, as well as Johnny’s misconduct, among other storylines. While these events are crucial to the plot, they may not be significant enough to justify entire episodes.

In the initial episodes, what truly unsettled me was the portrayal that Cadence couldn’t be informed about her past, as others claimed to be unable to fill her in on it due to her post-traumatic amnesia. However, it seemed they knew what had transpired, yet were unable to confront her truth. This seemed absurd, but since the viewers weren’t privy to the information either, it made us sympathize with Cadence. Interestingly, this is another fabrication in the series, a deception that those who stop watching won’t realize was eventually debunked.

Familiar YA series stars

In collaboration with Carina Adly Mackenzie, Julie Plec, known best for her work on “The Vampire Diaries,” has co-created the series “We Were Liars.” Given Plec’s past success, it’s no wonder that the flame of teen dramas continues to burn bright in this production. One notable cast member from “The Vampire Diaries” is Candice King, who plays Bess Sinclair, Mirren’s mother in this show. It can be a bit jarring to see King transition from playing a high school character to portraying a mother, but that’s the pace at which youth-oriented shows often replace their young cast members. It seems life mirrors this trend as well. Plec hopes that “We Were Liars” will continue her streak of successful productions.

The task may be more challenging than it used to be due to changes in viewing habits. For instance, when “The Vampire Diaries” first aired, streaming wasn’t as prevalent as it is today. Even with all eight episodes being released simultaneously, I’m not convinced that those unfamiliar with its narrative will find it appealing. While “We Were Liars” does improve significantly in the latter half, particularly the final three episodes, the initial impression might be hard to shake off. The hints of future mysteries, such as the reference to a fourth Sinclair sister and the ending coda in the last episode (which suggest more story for a potential second season), seem misleading considering the overall narrative. Despite its efforts, the show’s mistakes are too glaring to be overlooked, and it might unfortunately join the list of this year’s TV disappointments.

“We Were Liars” premieres on Prime Video on June 18.

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2025-06-16 16:00