Dead Ringers

The series gained good traction after the first half. Production quality was top notch, though was shot a bit dark for my tastes. I think it was a challenge to take the original material and work it into a less Cronenberg and more 21st century theme. I believe it was a success and was just as interesting as the earlier film. I've long been an admirer of Rachel Weisz and was really impressed with her in the dinner scene in episode four at about the 39 minute mark. That's the one that rings award nominations for me. She has had many risky diverse roles in her career and this performance ranks among her best. Dark themes for sure, but executed really well.

When I first heard about this series, I knew it wasn't a good idea. However, I decided to give it a chance because Rachel Weisz was in it. After watching it, I can say that it was a complete waste of time. If you were a fan of the movie version, your disappointment will be even greater. Rachel Weisz, who is also one of the producers, said that it's not exactly a remake, it's more like a re-imagining, but I still couldn't watch it without comparing.

Lots of things are wrong with this series. All the characters are exaggerated, unrealistic, and unbearable. The tone is unclear, making it difficult to determine if it is a comedy, drama, or horror, as none of them are executed well. By changing the gender and sexuality, they destroyed the conflict that the movie had, and they could have created a new conflict, but they failed to do so successfully.

I also didn't like the significant hair difference between the twins in the series. I know it's useful, especially in the final scene, but in the movie, the difference was not clear, and sometimes the audience was confused about which twin was which, which was, I think, an essential element in the movie. Even Jeremy Irons sometimes gets confused.

In short, this series is one of the worst remakes that we've seen in recent years.

Crazy and disturbing it is...and yes there are moments of 'why?' (housekeeper and the dinner party weirdness) but it is also a clever script and impressive visuals with excellent issue based concepts from all angles.

I haven't watched the Cronenberg film, but the series at times gave me the same uncomfortable 'what is going on?' Cronenberg vibes.

I loved Rachel Weisz anyway, but I really thought she was brilliant and deliciously perfect.... twice.

I gave it an 8 because the only issue I had would be some of the plot was just too deliberately pretentious, but hey I definitely recommend it, especially if you are very very bored of the usual pasty bland stuff that has been coming out recently.

This show had me hooked from the first episode. If you can stomach the multiple themes of miscarriage, birth, suicide, drugs, alcoholism and murder; then it's a brilliant story. But it's certainly not easy to watch. What I liked the most was the way it accurately portrays modern capitalism and the lack of humanity that billionaires have towards women's health and healthcare.

It also touches on the very sad but real subject of motherhood, wether is chosen or not. It also shows a very real picture of pre/postpartum depression, miscarriage, death at childbirth and family trauma from all these subjects.

The cast is perfect and each character is played flawlessly. As others said before me, Rachel Weisz certainly deserves an award for her amazing performance.

Upon conclusion of watching all six episodes I read a number of the reviews and felt like I wished that I had seen the original. Perhaps there is some redeeming value in it. I found nothing in this awful story that was edifying.

To be fair the first two episodes were somewhat interesting. Kind of provocative, made me a little patient to see what might unfold. But, by half way through the fourth I had to force myself to continue.

You certainly have every right to question my state of mind that I continued to punish myself and watch the whole twisted meaningless confusing and wasted effort!

Many other reviews pointed to some of the specific failings of this gross production. They were correct. I'll finish by saying you're better off just watching the news.