I don't get some of negative reviews here.
I felt it was an extremely watchable tight thriller over 4 episodes that set up an intriguing thriller.
Some of the criticisms about early reveals didn't spoil it for me at all because the so called spoilers did not lead to an obvious give away of the outcome. It was never clear who was guilty or why until very near the end.
I thought the acting was fine. I like Molly Windsor's approach, although I can see why some may not, but for me, as the lead character, her slightly deranged manner was very convincing.
There were a few dubious plot flaws but nothing too drastic and certainly not enough to damage the overall enjoyment in my opinion.
65 Reviews
Could have been so much better.
Beanbagels14 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Following on from my earlier review of episode one, the rest of the series left me a little disappointed. I don't know whether it is the writer or the director to blame, but any potential suspense was completely ruined.
SPOILERS AHEAD...........
When Rose threatens to tell Leah that Adam slept with her, he grabs her neck and starts to strangle her! Wow! Is Adam going to kill Rose and then have to try and cover it up? Oh, wait, no he isn't, because we've already been treated to a scene set in the future where Rose is still alive. Suddenly Rose grabs a letter opener and stabs Adam to death! My God, what a shock, they've killed off a main character. I never saw that coming. Oh, wait, yes I did because they showed Adam on the mortuary slab in the very first episode! Stop ruining surprises people! It makes for very predictable and boring viewing.
Talking of predictable, yet another killer confessing all to someone wearing a wire. I could see that coming from a mile off!
Could have been so much better and suspenseful with a little more thought.
Nowhere near as bad as some reviews make out.
nikwalker111115 June 2019
This was mid week after work entertainment - kept us wanting to see the end - not too taxing, well acted and directed with enough substance, intrigue and suspense to keep you wanting more ... I agree it's not the bodyguard or killing eve etc ... but then not many are !
Binged it in a day
gallagherkellie2 May 2021
There are some silly "as if you'd do that" moments, but all in all it was a good thriller that kept me wanting to see what happened next. I watched it all in one go!
There were some things that I guess would happen and most people probably would, but also some shocks.
There were some things that I guess would happen and most people probably would, but also some shocks.
Good but annoying.
Beanbagels11 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed this opening episode, and can't fault Katherine Kelly in anything she appears in. However, I found the direction to be annoying. It started with the main 2 characters, Leah and Rose, facing each other through a glass partition, obviously in a prison, but that was OK, because it wasn't apparent who was the prisoner and who was the visitor, so I'll let them off with that one. However, during the episode, they showed flash forwards to things that were going to happen. Apart from spoiling the surprise for everyone, this is just simply lazy film making. It's as if they can't trust the story to keep peoples attention, and have to keep throwing spoilers in to keep everyone interested. Why can't modern film makers just start a story at the beginning and sequentially play it out to the end?
They did a similar thing with "Nightflyers" by killing off one of the main characters in the first 5 minutes, and then spending the rest of the episode getting to that point. Needless to say I didn't watch any more of it.
Factual and reality TV program makers aren't much better either. It really annoys me when, after a commercial break, they have to recap what has happened previously! I don't have the memory of a goldfish, and am quite capable of remembering what happened 5 minutes ago!
Anyway, "Cheat" is only 4 episodes, so I will stick with it, but I reserve the right to come back and have another moan after it finishes, depending on how it all pans out.
Binge watched all 4 episodes back to back
paulrwilkin15 March 2019
OK, I don't write too many reviews on IMDB but sometimes feel like I should give back, as I am a movie lover and always review titles here first!
I watched this with my wife and we both couldn't stop watching. The characters are built up well and trust me, you will buy into them and the plot.
Because of the plot you end up screaming out for the plot to go in the direction you want.
Very well done. We're not movie critics but love a great movie or a box set.
Not only did we both watch this for 4 hours straight, we also continually talked to each other about what was happening, what we thought would happen and the last episode had us speculating a lot.
Really well done drama. Can't imagine anyone would be disappointed if they watched it.
Hope that helps 😀
I watched this with my wife and we both couldn't stop watching. The characters are built up well and trust me, you will buy into them and the plot.
Because of the plot you end up screaming out for the plot to go in the direction you want.
Very well done. We're not movie critics but love a great movie or a box set.
Not only did we both watch this for 4 hours straight, we also continually talked to each other about what was happening, what we thought would happen and the last episode had us speculating a lot.
Really well done drama. Can't imagine anyone would be disappointed if they watched it.
Hope that helps 😀
Could have been good, but.....
abbieb-8074014 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
There were so many ridiculous plot holes. Like why would a lecturer at Cambridge University try and confront a student over a cheating incident, without following a strict process? As if Adam would be stupid enough to not trust his wife, but believe everything a 20 year old girl would say. And after receiving the photo on the phone she was incredibly calm. It just didn't ring true, none of it. I wish they'd written it properly and made it more convincing. It's a real shame. Superb cast.
Had Me Hooked From The Start
daviddunn-9065314 March 2019
A solid mystery drama series.
Sleepin_Dragon26 November 2020
A solid four part mystery series from ITV, after a pretty average first episode, it turns into something pretty good.
You think initially that the events are pretty petty, schoolyard antics, but as the series develops, those antics become something a whole lot more serious.
It seems very fashionable to start dramas in the present day, and go back in time to tell the story, that format is getting a little old hat now.
The star of the show for me was Molly Windsor, she was superb, Rose was fascinating from start to finish, her motives, behaviours, and those eyes! Katherine Kelly, as always was very good, trouble is I didn't care for Leah one bit, so found it hard to sympathise with her.
It's silly in parts I would have to say, but overall I'd recommend it, it's worth a watch, 7/10.
You think initially that the events are pretty petty, schoolyard antics, but as the series develops, those antics become something a whole lot more serious.
It seems very fashionable to start dramas in the present day, and go back in time to tell the story, that format is getting a little old hat now.
The star of the show for me was Molly Windsor, she was superb, Rose was fascinating from start to finish, her motives, behaviours, and those eyes! Katherine Kelly, as always was very good, trouble is I didn't care for Leah one bit, so found it hard to sympathise with her.
It's silly in parts I would have to say, but overall I'd recommend it, it's worth a watch, 7/10.
Quite gripping
bubbles-781-60228511 March 2019
Too unbelievable
Bex137825 March 2019
One "slight" drawback
Aroura6423 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
First the plus points.
Katherine Kelly is good in everything she appears in. Most of the characters were well written. I enjoyed the plot twists.
The problem I have with the story, is the Ben character. No disrespect to Molly Windsor, but I can't for the life of me, understand why he is devoted to Rose. Why is he compelled to carry out her every whim? Perhaps a little back story might have helped?
Watchable
bazookamouth-221-89809720 January 2021
I liked this series. Sure its plot was sometimes unbelievable with the actions of the cast but I thought Molly Windsor as Rose was terrific and the series was elevated by her particulary when she was on screen. Its an absorbing and worth watching.
ITV's version of Doctor Foster?
lisaharte-7538014 March 2019
Fairly entertaining, but the style - not necessarily the content - of the storyline/cinematography reminds me of Doctor Foster. I think I'd be enjoying it more if it hadn't been trailed to death. It's petfectly adequate - but not as outstanding as we were led to believe!
BANG ON!!
jonesy-682552 April 2019
British drama at its best here! 4 episodes, 4 hours, BOSH! No dragging it out over 10 seasons at 35 episodes a season nonsense From the get go had me guessing, stuck to my seat and shouting at the tv! Faultless acting and solid story. What more could you want!
Ok but no better
Vindelander16 March 2019
Poor and contrived ending and the story is full of inconsistencies and unexplained sub plots.
Entertaining enough with average performances all round and not as bad as some of the reviews would lead you to believe. Suitable for a rainy afternoon when you want to distract yourself.
Entertaining enough with average performances all round and not as bad as some of the reviews would lead you to believe. Suitable for a rainy afternoon when you want to distract yourself.
Great story line
charliewhiskey-6102222 March 2019
Disturbing
gemzere19 March 2019
Unbelievable
redwoodsteve29 March 2019
E-VILE AS HELL
ksfdwulf14 April 2021
Really good
sib121-116 March 2021
This story just doesn't make sense
AU_TVWatcher19 November 2019
The characters are supposed to be intelligent people, yet none seem to show any level of intelligent behaviour at all. The story is illogical, irrational and at points ludicrous. A shame really as it sounded like it could have been really goos.
Plot wasn't bad
ingamazonaite17 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I thought plot wasn't bad, but why they suddenly made Adam as trash person I don't understand. Also I found very unlikely believable, that man, who was trying for baby for two years, jumps to bed with very young girl and more wife's student.
They made look Adam as shallow person so they somehow " justified " murder? I don't like this way of thinking.
Fine
Rebekahjanel17 February 2021
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