Pieces of Her (2022)
Didn't "binge" the 8 part series, but watched it in 3 nights.
This thriller drama series stars Toni Collette, Bella Heathcore, and the venerable Terry O'Quinn, among others. It's described as an American series set in America, but the only thing American about it is Netflix. Surprisingly it was shot entirely in Australia with Australian and English actors. The look was American and there was no trace of Brit or Ozzie accents.
A young woman and her mother are eating at a diner when suddenly a mass shooter emerges who shoots several people and threatens the daughter who he mistakes for a police officer. When the mother jumps in to protect her daughter, she is stabbed through her hand, but manages to in turn stab the shooter in the throat, killing him. The daughter is flabbergasted at her mother's actions and abilities.
What follows is a plot that gradually reveals the mother is not who the daughter thought she was, and she has had a mysterious and possibly criminal past since before the daughter was born.
The series grabs the viewer right away, and keeps one glued to the story for the first 3-4 episodes. It then drags a little in the middle, but ends up pretty satisfactorily. There's a little too much mother/daughter relationship angst which will appeal more to female viewers. Yet the story keeps one engaged throughout.
Both Collette and Heathcore turn in fine performances. The reliable O'Quinn turns up in a nice role. The rest of the cast do creditable work, but nothing special. The sole American actor, Omari Hardwick, does his best but his role as ex-husband to Collette isn't very believable.
It's a decent series which will hold your interest. Available free on Netflix.
Doc's rating: 6/10