The Sounds (2020) User Reviews

I have seen all 8 episodes

[Ziggy1965 · 7/10 · 12 October 2020]

Started off a little slow but that is to be expected. Got really good in the middle. Found the story about Zoe and drugs to be a little boring. Was really excited to see how episode 8 would be, but found it to be a little soft. It did have some moving scenes with Pania and Ru which were very well done. Lot's of unanswered questions and if there is no season 2 then all this would have been just a cheap teaser.

started well then jumped the shark.

[ikanboy · 5/10 · 14 October 2020]

I was enjoying it up to episode 6. Man goes missing, but is hiding out ( We never get an intelligent explanation for this), and I waited patiently to get the explanation. Then comes episode 6. Down the rabbit hole. Tom, the missing husband, turns out to be in cahoots with his wife, who wasn't really on board for it. Tom morphs into a whiny sociopath, and wife finally sees the light. In the end it looks like they are setting us up for season 2. RUN!

Started off good but ended up just average

[jmc4769 · 5/10 · 23 September 2020]

After watching all five episodes, I was disappointed. I've seen so many dark and gritty murder mystery series recently, and this series at first seemed to be a refreshing change of pace. But it got to be such a slog by episode four that I had to force myself to finish it.

PROS *Picturesque New Zealand location *Beautiful cinematography

CONS *The acting is on a soap opera level except for a couple of the Maori actors and the young woman who played Zoe. *None of the main characters were likable to me and my wife except Ryan and the police chief. The main character, Maggie, got on our nerves after a while. *The dialog was poorly written, again on a soap opera level. Many times characters don't state the obvious just so the screenwriter can amp up the drama. *The ending is terrible. It just ends with a cliffhanger without resolving any of the plot lines.

Ran out of gas in the middle of the ocean

[Ed-Shullivan · 6/10 · 25 November 2020]

Have you ever had that experience where you started watching a TV mini-series which starts off so interesting and mysterious, but after each progressive episode you find yourself daydreaming about what you had for dinner last night, or what guests you are having over on the upcoming weekend? I digress, but so did The Sounds, which fizzled out with Tom and Maggie not being who we thought they were. Same as this mini-series, it's not what Mrs. Shullivan and I thought it would be either.

Is it memorable? Not on their lives.

Is it forgettable? Absolutely.

There is a body of water involved and a small yacht that Tom and Maggie own. An alternate ending which would have been more appropriate would be if Tom and Maggie sailed off on their boat and inadvertently ended up in the Bermuda triangle never to be heard of again.

I give this mini-series a 6 out of 10 IMDB rating.

Above average mini series lifted by performances

[Coburgkiwi · 7/10 · 9 May 2021]

Really enjoyed this. Above par mini series. The bloke who played the cop was excellent, as were the actors for Pania and Ryan, the nosey ex journo, and the cop's two daughters. Felt very authentic. This part of NZ is stunning, just wished the director had given it more justice. It truly is a jaw dropping area but the colours seemed muted which made it feel a bit drab and cold. But the series is worth a weekend binge imho.

New Zealand setting and a good story

[mb-33087 · 7/10 · 14 August 2021]

Good story although slow to start but interesting twists. I felt that there were some loose ends which could have been tidied up at the end. It had the feel of a Season 2 coming up.

a half step behind

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 12 August 2021]

Maggie Cabbott (Rachelle Lefevre) is a new arrival and joins her husband Tom Cabbott in the small community of Pelorus, New Zealand. His wealthy family does not care for her. He's trying to start a salmon fishery with his partners and money from his trust fund. There is opposition from the radical fringe and possibly conflict within. Tom paddles off one day and goes missing. Maggie starts discovering secrets right away.

They need to find the dead girl at the end of the first episode. In general, this show is a little too slow for modern sensibilities. It's a half step behind. My story telling clock is constantly running ahead of the show. I don't mind it but the show struggles to gain traction. It ends with some dangling threads but I doubt it's coming back with a second season. Covid and the reception is unlikely to engender any excitement for more. If it wants to be a limited series, I would like it to have a more deadly ending if you know what I mean.

Excellent NZ drama

[leutele · 9/10 · 28 October 2020]

Really enjoyed this great NZ drama, such beautiful scenery, excellent storyline, lots of twists & turns. Would have loved to hear there would be a second series as there is such variety in the cast. Didn't have a problem with any of the actors as those were the particular parts they had to play, I thought the characters developed well as the storyline played out.

A good layered story marred by bad lead casting

[WingsOf · 7/10 · 14 August 2021]

A very wooden and uninvolved, just going through themotions lead character makes this otherwise delicately layered story with beautiful scenery less than perfect. A calm and measured story line reminiscent of Scandinavian mysteries without any binary good and bad character casting as well as an empathetic and realistic treatment of multi-cultural characters make this worth watching.

A better or different lead role casting would have made this an excellent series.

Worse than lifetime

[kkarlhuber · 2/10 · 4 October 2020]

Not sure if I've ever heard worse dialogue and the acting is generally terrible. Worse than anything I've seen on lifetime aside from the visuals.

Not nearly as bad as some reviews are saying

[cheryl-y-oconnor · 8/10 · 23 October 2020]

I enjoyed this series of 8 episodes a great deal. Maybe it's because I am a New Zealander and appreciate the storyline better than others. I thought the acting, particularly the lead characters, was very realistic and it held my attention until the end of Season 1. I hope the ending, which left unanswered questions means another season at least to wrap up the storyline. I don't like shows that leave you hanging, with lots of loose ends. Well worth watching in my opinion and the series was beautifully shot in one of the most majestic locations in the country of New Zealand's South Island.

not shot in South Island

[aostling-07199 · 7/10 · 15 November 2020]

I'm an American living in Phoenix, but I traveled extensively in New Zealand when I lived in Wellington from 1971 to 1978. I was immediately struck by the scenery ~ it bears no resemblance to any place in Marlborough Sounds (which is mostly unforested, and has no stone cliffs). I reminded me of Whangaroa Harbour. I googled, and got confirmation that The Sounds was indeed filmed in Whangaroa town. I would have posted this, but the Filming Locations section is currently not showing on this website.

NZ is stunning but story is a bore.

[callladd · 4/10 · 23 January 2021]

Maggie is a fairly interesting character, Jack and some of the locals are even more interesting. However, they're the supporting actors and it's the key players who drag this down. Tom is so unlikable from the get-go that I didn't care what happens to him or why he pulled his disappearing act. Worse than Tom are Jack's skanky daughter, hated her and the drug storyline, the cartoonish accountant (the actress seems to think she's the villain in a kid's show) and Tom's cardboard cutout evil dad. We watched to the end only because we liked the scenery and hoped the story would improve, it doesn't.

Very average

[scrubber · 6/10 · 3 September 2022]

Set in a small town, pop. 492 (I call that a village), in New Zealand. A Canadian, Maggie and Tom Cabbott, couple relocate to set up a fishing business as a cover for a massive fraud on Frank Cabbotts (Tom's father) sucessfull/dodgy company. 160m$ of fraud. Things start to go wrong when the husband goes missing, presumed dead, in the sea. There follows a reasonably decent story, but despite the stunning NZ backdrop it is all a bit dreary. It runs to eight episodes and some are definitely far better than others. The most interesting character is the investigator, played by Emily Piggford, sent by Frank Cabbott to find the missing money, I would have liked to see more of this aspect of the story. Not a bad series, just average.

A strong mysterious start turns cartoonish

[E Canuck · 6/10 · 24 July 2022]

I enjoyed this a lot till the episode when the most likeable and intriguing character in the series, already the victim of an injustice, was killed. It was all downhill from there with unbelievable plot twists and comic book level drama. A pity, the situation and the setting were really interesting till the Sounds came to be swimming with stereotypes.

Lots of interesting twists and turns

[hob-23028 · 8/10 · 9 September 2020]

Episode 1 started off a little slow and disjointed, but things start to get very interesting from episode 2 onward. Right from the outset you get the feeling Maggie's possibly not being honest with those around her regarding the "disappearance" of her husband Tom (?). Something is up, and I'm intrigued to see where the deception will lead to. Things take a darker turn in Episode 3 which has left me hanging on for more weekly episodes. The locations are stunning, beautifully shot, and the haunting score had me in tears during a particular scene in episode 3. Fantastic cast made up of both New Zealand and Canadian talent. Newcomer Anna-Maree Thomas who plays Zoe is brilliant. Recommended.

Good start - then came the Messaging - Pity! (Ep. 1-2-3-4-5-6)

[refordgarry · 4/10 · 10 September 2020]

Started poised over "off", but realized it was watchable, the only question being if this promising adventure was just a lure for future dumb-messaging? Actress, Rachelle Lefevre's at least beguiling as Maggie Cabbott, related by marriage to evil, rich Cabott family; however Maggie, being female simply can NOT be evil: can she? And so many other female leads, such as local crime mafia lady, our tearaway girl Zoe, plus Cabott-Firm troubleshooter, Esther, even the Baby! It's as if they've taken a normal plot & replaced every strong character with a female, while gas-lighting all males, including the Cabotts, our hapless Maori, & the ineffectual Police Chief, played beautifully by Peter Elliot. (what a talent!). So much potential for suspense, mystery & adventure in that coastal region of NZ, together with "missing" husband theme. But Tom, being both Male and a Cabott just has to be the Curse. You'd honestly think the Sun shone from Maggies's post-area, even when later exposed as not the complete "Miss Perfect". With two episodes still to air, I no longer give a damn what happens. Nice work!

Great story, great characters, unpredictable, and one thick, thick plot

[andy-goris · 9/10 · 17 September 2020]

My wife and I are hooked on this show, which is story-telling at its finest. The characters are deep, varied, and believable. The unique plot just keeps getting thicker and thicker and thicker and thicker (4 "thickers" for the 4 episodes we've watched so far). The suspense is gripping, and I am constantly squirming in my seat; you won't know what's going to happen next. Most of the acting is excellent - especially the Maori. The directing and cinematography are great and never distracting. Many characters you will care about, and all kinds of interesting things happen to them. Lastly, this series gets double-extra credit for what it doesn't have: no political agendas, no car chases, no explosions, no sirens, no torture, no shakey-camera, no over-cutting-of-scenes, no all-star cast, no formula characters nor formula plot. And yet, your heart will be pounding more than any movie that has all these tropes.

Very average, like a long soap-opera.

[namstonk · 4/10 · 12 October 2020]

Started off ok, well directed and acted by all apart from the lead actress, she is not good at all. Plods on halfway and no exacting ending. Basically a long winded single episode of any American, Australian, British soap that's shown on an afternoon, it'll keep grandma quiet as the writing is at that level. 4 stars for the NZ scenery.

Exciting and thrilling!

[aj-79481 · 8/10 · 8 September 2020]

I love this series and the shots of New Zealand are great. There's a lot going on which keeps me glued to the tv, lots of secrets!! Not many familiar actors, but it's great to see Rachelle Lafevre in another series. The acting is believable and good.

Bad acting

[linaignatova · 5/10 · 26 September 2020]

Although I really like Rachelle Lefevre, her performance here is a nightmare and almost makes the movie unwatchable.

Cliffhanger

[stevekaczmarek-79845 · 8/10 · 11 October 2020]

After episode 8 we are left hanging. This show get very good around episode 6.

So far

[Headturner1 · 5/10 · 10 September 2020]

I was looking forward to this. The acting especially from Lefave and the husband is awful! Others are good like matt nable? I've seen him in a few Australian series. The script is all over and SPOILER: when they first talk to Lafave about it she's all well is he dead bah blah blah all this incriminating stuff with this very guilty look on her face. Horrible acting. She just acts weird most the time. The husband flash back scenes are excruciating to watch ( seem unbelievable) no chemistry. The writing's bad. Maybe It'll tighten up. I only watched 3 episodes so I'll watch a few more and see where it goes but so far not so good. Edit to add: I just watched episode 6 because 5 was ok. Could the acting/ dialogue between Tom and Maggie be any worse??? Babies in this have better acting skills. I watched because I've watched everything out there and it takes a while for new episodes to air. Toms a loser psycho and the acting is so horrific I think I'm done for good. maybe toms acting would be better if they didn't make him use an American accent but some how I doubt that!

Very Twist and Turn Story

[lucasarts-88947 · 8/10 · 5 March 2022]

Really enjoyed the whole series with the different twists and turns in the different characters stories. And loved seeing more of New Zealand. The ending leaves you a bit flat like there were plans for a second series but even as a one off show it's good.

Lead actress can't carry show, but New Zealanders do fine; too predictable

[jkennedy-60480 · 2/10 · 18 September 2020]

I didn't like the lead actress in that series with Patrick Wilson and I still don't like her, so it's hard to care when she's upset. The actor who plays the local cop is very good, as are many of the other New Zealanders. The scenery is beautiful. The actress who plays the "accountant" who is sent by the missing guy''s family to basically protect their money and cast aspersions on anyone she doesn't like is stiff as a board. It would have been much better for the storyline to have at least one member of his family (brother or father or both) come to NZ and face off with the wife and the local business partner of their son directly. So all the conflict is done either long distance or through the one dimensional accountant. It's hard to stay with this show.