‘His & Hers’ is a Twisting Tale
Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal in His & Hers | Credit: Netflix
When a body is found in a small town in Georgia, reporter Anna Andrews (Tessa Thompson) returns to her hometown to investigate, which leads to clashes with her estranged husband, Jack Harper (Jon Bernthal), who is the lead investigator on the case.
His & Hers is a twisting thriller. From the opening minutes of this limited series, you know that you are about to go on a wild ride. Throughout the episodes, we see glimpses of the past that give us some insight into what is happening in the present. Each episode answers some questions while raising others, making you want to keep watching to see what happens next.
This show works as well as it does in large part to the performances by the two leads. Tessa Thompson plays Anna, an ambitious woman who had an impressive career before experiencing an unimaginable loss. When we meet her, she is coming out of a year-long hiatus, returning to work, her hometown, and to the past that has haunted her.
Thompson beautifully holds all of these complexities in her performance. In many ways, Anna feels like she’s unknowable; there’s always a question of what she’s thinking and what she’s capable of. We can feel her grief, her enduring trauma, and her tenacity to survive. Throughout the series, we see glimpses of her emotions bubbling to the surface, but these moments never last for long.
Jack, on the other hand, is an explosive character. You always know what he’s thinking and feeling—he moves about life without being able to hide these things. And, as things become more stressful, he begins to spiral out of control, his emotions becoming even bigger and more uncontrollable.
Jon Bernthal gives a great performance, navigating each of these changes with conviction. He infuses Jack with such charisma that you want to continue following this character, even in his darkest moments. We’ve seen his goodness and believe in him, even when he is navigating an impossible situation.
The strength of these two performances helps bring these characters to life, which is essential for the show. His & Hers rests on Thompson and Bernthal’s shoulders, and they are able to handle it.
Tessa Thompson in His & Hers | Credit: Netflix
The beauty of a mystery show or film is that the clues are all there for the viewer to solve the case, but they’re presented in a way that’s often confusing or easy to overlook. And His & Hers does this beautifully.
When this show first debuted, my social media accounts were filled with people stating their shock about the ending, which includes a twist that they didn’t see coming. While I was able to spot where the show was going (I watch far too many mysteries), it is a truly impressive way to finish this particular story.
His & Hers takes bold swings with this story and some of the themes it explores, and does so effectively. The pacing of each episode keeps you engaged, and the powerful performances from two incredible actors help you stay invested in this story. Though the show centers on a mystery in rural Georgia, the themes explored are so human and grounded in reality that the show is incredibly relatable.
If you’re in the mood for an exciting thriller that will keep you guessing at every turn, consider checking out His & Hers, currently streaming on Netflix.