This Fool Me Once review contains minor spoilers.
Harlan Coben adaptions are something of a Netflix staple at this point. It seems that every other month a new one pops up. The latest offering is Fool Me Once, an oddly-titled but intriguing thriller about a PTSD-stricken former soldier played by Michelle Keegan.
Keegan stars as Maya Stern, who is grieving her recently murdered husband Joe Burkett (Richard Armitage). Raising their child, Lily, alone, Maya is struggling to balance parenting, work, and disturbing mental health issues. We are also informed that her sister, Claire, suffered a similarly mysterious fate to Joe.
Maya is forced to contend with the ongoing investigation into her husband’s murder (of which she is suspected), and the demands and intrusions of her wealthy mother-in-law Judith (Joanna Lumley). When she sees Joe in their home on a secret recording, she begins to believe he may be alive and sets out to find him.
While Fool Me Once doesn’t pretend to be highbrow, it boasts an engaging and gripping plot. From start to finish, viewers can expect twists and turns that are occasionally predictable but often surprising. Its narrative has substantial depth, complete with a multi-layered conspiracy at its core that spans decades.
An unfortunate by-product of this is a confusing list of mostly forgettable characters and a million different names being thrown around. At every opportunity, it seems someone new is mentioned and viewers will likely wonder why they matter.
With numerous plot threads operating simultaneously, keeping track of what’s going on proves mildly frustrating at times. Thankfully, your patience and attention is rewarded with a satisfying and decently-explained conclusion that wraps everything up rather neatly.
In addition to Keegan’s commendable and enthusiastic performance, Adeel Akhtar shines as likeable deuteragonist DS Sami Kierce. As the lead investigator into Joe’s murder, he plays a key role in uncovering the truth of his death.
Kierce is plagued by mysterious black-outs and concerning symptoms of neurological damage, which will leave viewers guessing about the nature and cause of his condition. As details of the conspiracy at the heart of Fool Me Once emerge, explanations for the show’s various enigmas are satisfying if a little convenient.
With eight episodes in total, Fool Me Once is excessively drawn-out. Everything could’ve been said and done in six, and certain story beats should’ve been cut entirely. Despite this, I suspect most viewers will forgive its length and appreciate its daring conclusion.
Fool Me Once is a worthy binge-watch to kick off 2024 but falls short of being must-see TV.
Overall Rating: 7/10
Fool Me Once is available to stream now on Netflix.
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