The Hunting Wives

The show begins with Sophie and her family that move to a Texas town. You watch Sophie navigate making new, bizarre friends with everyone carrying some sort of secret, trauma, or morally corrupt drama. Halfway through, it transitions from sex & scandal to a dark murder mystery. You won't be shocked when the truth is revealed, but watching the theories evolve will take you on a fun ride.

...it definitely would look like this. Yes, it's highly aestheticized garbage. But the show itself is self-aware of this to the point where you can't come for it accusing it of not being "poetic enough". I mean, it needs a very special kind of stomach for the "I'll have to swallow" situation and keep on watching it. Not Emmy material by any means or standards, but at least it's honest, albeit crude, on its own terms.

Firstly - the lead actresses do a phenomenal job with their acting and carrying their sexuality. This show is equivalent to one of those erotic crime drama books you'd pick up randomly at the Barnes & Noble. Seriously binge worthy and a fun time. The atmosphere of a Righteous Texas area with a mischievous underside really takes place here.

The Hunting Wives is packed with nudity, which I don't mind, but just know what you're getting. It's unintentionally funny thanks to over-the-top clichés. Think exaggerated Southern accents, shallow takes on religion, and hypocritical Christians played for cheap drama. I'm personally not a Southern Bible thumper, but even I found the portrayals lazy and insulting. The show wants to be edgy and mysterious but ends up predictable and hollow.

Sophie O'Neil, a former editor-in-chief of a glossy magazine, moves with her husband and son from New York City to a quiet town in East Texas. There, she meets local socialite Margot Banks, who runs an exclusive club for women - filled with cocktails, skeet shooting, and endless gossip. Enchanted by the atmosphere, Sophie gets pulled into their glamorous world, but things take a dark turn when a young girl's body is found on the edge of the woods. Soon, the club members become prime suspects.

Pros:The biggest asset here is the cast. Malin Åkerman carries the entire show on her shoulders - she brings both charm and emotional authenticity to the role. The small-town setting, with its undercurrent of secrets, is visually well-crafted. Cinematography and atmosphere are on point.

Cons:Unfortunately, that's where the strengths end. Rebecca Cutter, known for Hightown, falls short this time. What could've been a gripping psychological thriller turns into a soap opera with forced drama. The mystery is drowned in shallow melodrama, and there's little to no chemistry between the actors.

This is no Bad Sisters, no Why Women Kill, and certainly no Big Little Lies. The attempt to blend genres results in a show that looks polished but feels hollow. It all rests on Åkerman's charisma and decent direction.

As for the explicit scenes - nothing groundbreaking. This isn't The L Word, and today's audiences need more than that to be surprised.

Verdict:A disposable watch for one evening. Stylish but shallow. Don't expect depth, suspense, or memorable characters.