‘Sara - Woman in the Shadows’ Netflix Series Review - A Gritty Thriller and an Intriguing Watch

Sara: Woman In The Shadows emerges as an intelligent thriller that gives us emotional theatrics along with psychological complexity. The plot follows the story of Sara, a woman who is carved from shadow and silence and has a past that intrigues our audience. She is a woman with many talents, her foremost talent being lip reading.  This is treated as an important skill in her investigation process. In addition to this, formerly she was an intelligence agent.  Sara isn’t ready to get back to an investigation, but reluctantly gets back catalyzed by her former colleague Teresa. Now Teresa has a questionable romantic entanglement. This gets Sara into a new mystery, one that unfolds with chilling circumstances. Because of this, she forms an alliance with Pardo, a passionate but slightly careless police officer, and Viola, her son’s pregnant partner. Viola’s presence adds tension and softness to the group. Together, this group navigates through an accident only to unleash a conspiracy that now finds its roots in the political territory.  Will this team be successful in finding the culprits and resolving the mystery? Will things become messier for them ahead in the investigation process? The answer to these questions is left in the series itself.

This series has been borrowed from Le indagini di Sara novels by Maurizio de Giovanni. The show carries a good plot based on the novel, as it is rich in text and good in pacing. What’s even good is that there is a lot unsaid, but we are intrigued to see what’s happening there and why it is so. The series exudes a cool, calculated restraint, unusual for stories so intertwined with loss and grief. He doesn’t create emotional distance but rather helps us to create weight. But since it deals with investigation and related things, you have to be very attentive while watching. One blink of an eye can lead to confusion in your mind over what happens next in the plot. So watch with an open mind.

However, one thing about this series is that it is very predictable. You may find themes and subplots that have already been covered in other mystery and investigation drama movies and TV series. The show could and should have explored something better and deeper in terms of plots and subplots, but it doesn’t.

Nonetheless, whatever predictions they made, the makers managed to make it good for a quick and decent watch. When it comes to acting, the actors deliver a powerful performance by displaying the right amount of emotions that the series requires. They all seem very natural with their characters.

If you are a big fan of such dramas, though you might be slightly disappointed because of their predictable nature, you will find it fun to watch because of their pace and portrayal.

Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times