The Heart-Stopping Thriller On Apple TV+ That Proves Family Is Everything
Family dramas often chronicle the complexities of relationships, but few explore the murky waters of murder, guilt, grief, and redemption like Bad Sisters. Developed by Sharon Horgan, Dave Finkel, and Brett Baer, this Irish black comedy series takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride through the lives of the Garvey sisters, blending dark humor with undertones of domestic abuse.
Murder And Domestic Violence In Bad Sisters
Set in present-day Dublin, Bad Sisters tells the story of Eva, Ursula, Bibi, and Becka, who are navigating their own lives while dealing with the aftermath of their sister Grace’s toxic marriage to the recently deceased John Paul. Played with gut-wrenching realism by Anne-Marie Duff, Grace’s struggle against her controlling and abusive husband sets the stage for a tale that is as uncomfortable as it is compelling.
Bad Sisters expertly chronicles the complexities of domestic violence, portraying the insidious ways in which it erodes not only the victim’s spirit but also the bonds of family. As Grace’s sisters confront the reality of her situation, their initial powerlessness gives way to a whiskey-fueled conversation on the beach, where they decide to rid themselves of their tormentor.
Two Seperate Timelines
What follows is a series of darkly humorous attempts at killing JP, each more absurd than the last yet grounded in the very real desperation of their circumstances. Bad Sisters swaps between two timelines – one before JP’s demise, where all the sisters (except Grace) toy with the idea of killing him, and another after his death, where an insurance investigation threatens to expose their secrets.
The Sisters Have Good Reason To Want Their Brother-In-Law Dead
John Paul’s cruelty knows no bounds. He humiliates Eva by mentioning her infertility at a family gathering and rudely pushes away Ursula’s son when the child tries to hug him. These incidents are just the tip of the iceberg before Bad Sisters sheds light on his more sinister schemes. From blackmailing Ursula to financially ruining Becka and causing Bibi to lose an eye, there is nothing JP won’t do.
But the real brilliance of Bad Sisters lies in its ability to tackle sensitive subject matter with nuance and wit while portraying sisterhood as a source of strength and solidarity. Despite their flaws and differences, the Garvey sisters rally around each other in their quest for liberation, their bond serving as a beacon of hope during their darkest times.
The Cast
The Garvey sisters are brought to life by a stellar cast. Along with Anne-Marie Duff as Grace, Bad Sisters stars Sharon Horgan as Eva, Sarah Greene as Bibi, Eva Birthistle as Ursula, and Eve Hewson as Becka. The supporting cast includes Claes Bang as John Paul, Daryl McCormack as Matthew Claffin, Brian Gleeson as Thomas Claffin, and Assaad Bouab as Gabriel.
100% Rating On Rotten Tomatoes
Bad Sisters is adapted from the Belgian series The Clan by Malin-Sarah Gozin. The AppleTV+ version was released in August 2022 to acclaim from viewers and critics. The series received a Peabody Award and earned multiple nominations and wins at several award ceremonies, including the Irish Film & Television Awards and the British Academy Television Awards.
Bad Sisters, which currently holds a 100 percent critics score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the value of family in the face of adversity. With its stellar performances and clever writing, the series is definitely a must-watch.
