‘Big Little Lies’ Meets ‘Sharp Objects’ in Apple TV’s Overlooked 7-Part Psychological Thriller

The last season of HBO’s Big Little Lies might have aired all the way back in 2019, but that doesn’t mean we’re not still thinking about that fantastic show. With an impressive cast and captivating storytelling, it’s no surprise that viewers have been anxiously awaiting a much-anticipated third season. The dark and twisty narratives of that show are echoed in the incredible HBO limited series, Sharp Objects, which aired in 2018. If you’re looking for something in a similar vein to binge, an underrated Apple TV series released two years ago actually combines the best aspects of both dramas.

What Is ‘Disclaimer’ About?

You might have missed Disclaimer when it first aired in 2024, but that doesn’t mean you can’t binge-watch it now. This seven-episode limited series follows several different characters, creating multiple perspectives that twist the story even further. We first meet Catherine Ravenscroft (Cate Blanchett), a successful journalist who seems to have a perfect life. She has a flourishing career, a doting husband, Robert (Sacha Baron Cohen), and a soft-spoken son, Nicholas (Kodi Smit-McPhee), but on closer inspection, Catherine’s life holds a great deal of secrets and dysfunction.

When she receives a book on her doorstep that seemingly details the events of a past affair she had with a much younger man named Jonathan Brigstocke (Louis Partridge), Catherine’s secrets are at risk of being exposed. The book has been written by Jonathan’s father, Stephen (Kevin Kline), who has a serious bone to pick with Catherine, whom he blames for the unraveling of his family. What unfolds is a tumultuous, perilous journey as viewers gain more understanding of the events that transpired in these characters’ lives.

Disclaimer wastes no time spinning a suspenseful and emotionally wrought narrative. The series would have an interesting enough premise all on its own, but the story, from the brilliant mind of Alfonso Cuarón, is told uniquely. Multiple POVs from different characters emphasize that not everyone involved may be a reliable narrator. The narrative also comes alive in flashbacks to Catherine’s past so viewers can fully experience the events as they transpire. You won’t know who to trust in the series until the very last scene, and this makes Disclaimer’s mystery reminiscent of both Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects. The series also benefits from stunning cinematography and an eerily beautiful score from Finneas O’Connell.

Disclaimer is a compelling watch largely because of its incredibly talented cast. Blanchett is perfection, as always, as a woman trying to regain a grasp on her life. Kline is also a worthy opponent in their scenes together, and his increasingly desperate performance as Stephen is truly a sight to behold. Kline and Cohen’s departure from comedy is successful here, as the two men sink their teeth into these substantial dramatic roles. The show’s supporting cast is every bit as valuable as the leads. Lesley Manville offers a haunting depiction of Stephen’s wife, and her portrayal of a woman ruined by grief is heart-wrenchingly authentic. Leila George is also alluringly brilliant as the younger version of Catherine, and the many layers to Partridge’s performance suggest that his career will be a long one. It’s important to highlight that Smit-McPhee shines as a young man whose life has been tragically impacted by his mother’s past. Each actor works to create a tapestry of betrayal and lies that make it impossible to stop watching.

The series received positive reviews when it first premiered, but only managed to snag two Emmy nominations (for Outstanding Cinematography and for Blanchett’s performance). Despite the series not getting the buzz it deserves, it’s a perfect option for a binge-watch, especially if you’re patiently waiting for a third season of Big Little Lies.