‘All Her Fault’ Review: Sarah Snook’s Gut-Wrenching Thriller
After her breakout success in Succession, Sarah Snook returns to television starring in the mystery thriller All Her Fault, playing a mother facing every parent's worst nightmare.
Plot Overview
The series opens with Marissa (Sarah Snook), a working mother, arriving at an unfamiliar address to pick up her nearly five-year-old son from a playdate. However, the child, Milo, is missing, and the homeowner has no idea who Marissa is. This sparks frantic phone calls, growing guilt, and escalating tension as a deeply emotional missing persons case unfolds.
Structure and Themes
The story unfolds over eight gripping episodes, moving back and forth in time to piece together the events. Marissa's self-blame over trusting a barely known parent-friend to watch her son adds a compelling emotional layer.
Creation and Setting
Created by Megan Gallagher (Lazarus) and adapted from Andrea Mara’s best-selling novel, the show shifts the story’s setting from Dublin to Chicago, showcasing wealthy couples living in stunning homes reminiscent of Architectural Digest features.
Character Focus and Dynamics
Each episode centers on a different character, revealing various backstories and shifting viewer sympathy. A close-knit group around Marissa emerges, any of whom could be involved in the disappearance, enhancing the mystery’s depth.
“As the title suggests, Marissa blames herself – she was more than happy to let her kid go off with a parent-friend she didn’t know all too well just to buy herself a few more hours to focus on work, after all.”
The show skillfully explores complex relationships and the stress beneath polished exteriors, delivering an intense and entertaining thriller.
Author's summary: This suspenseful series masterfully blends emotional intensity and mystery, anchored by Sarah Snook's powerful performance as a mother navigating a chilling disappearance.