Aktris

I was very apprehensive when I decided to give "Aktris" a try. The trailers were very promising but the Turkish film industry has disappointed me more times than not and so, having low expectations was the best way to go... And I'm happy to admit that I was proven wrong!

The story was very exciting; constantly misleading you and making you entertain the potential of different scenarios, only to prove you wrong in the end. Its best element was that although the series is about a serial killer, it is made very clear from the beginning that the character should not be sympathized with. Yasemin Derin is a cold-blooded killer that her tragic backstory in no way can be used to justify her actions. She kills out of boredom, for her own pleasure and embraces her cruelty. Murder for once is not beautified! Of course there are also some clichés in the story, but they are incorporated in a great way and the plot holes that exist are filled in various artistic ways, with the employment of sketches, famous movie references etc. Many questions are left unanswered though, which I believe are hints for future seasons.

Another great element is the cinematography. Vibrant colors, great exposure with the camera placement, assisting greatly with the feelings that need to be evoked as well as its movement, following faithfully the protagonist's moves when the latter is in distress and staying static when she is fighting her inner wars.

I admired the use of lighting the most. With the series slogan being "When all lights are on you, no one can see you", the handling of light and darkness was immaculate!

The soundtracks were excellent and enriched the experience beautifully!

The cast was also great! From the beginning it's made clear that the focus is on the protagonist and that we are supposed to follow the story through her. The actress that played Yasemin Derin, Pinar Deniz, was phenomenal! From the first minutes she conveys the character's difficulty to grasp the concept of humanity perfectly. At first she exaggerates her moves in order to help the viewer understand that Yasemin is only imitating how people are acting in order to fit in, but as the story progresses and different feelings are stirred into her, we watch her act more sincerely. My personal favorite scenes are when the focus is completely on her, when she is alone and vulnerable to her thoughts and feelings. Every emotion is depicted in her expressive eyes and I have to admit that the actress just gained a new admirer! The rest of the cast is also great, with another instant favorite character being Ahmet, Tolga Tekin, because the dynamic between him and Yasemin was very raw and emotional.

In conclusion, Aktris was a great journey, which I can't wait to continue hopefully with more seasons to come! I am quite generous with my rating but the team deserves it for the effort and thought they put in the project! I fully recommend it!

The 1st season of Aktris was exhilarating! The story was very thrilling, always keeping you on the edge of your seat, making you second guess most of the things you think you understand and the cinematography and colors were very beautiful. I'm in awe of both Hakan Bonomo and Soner Caner for their work.

Pinar Deniz as Yasemin Derin was exceptional! She forces you to almost empathize with a serial killer by making you understand her inability to grasp the concept of humanity. The journey from imitating human nature to being forced to experience it is a thrilling roller-coaster. She portrays masterfully Yasemin's constant inner war with her self about the human experience, control, morality, ethics and her struggle to differentiate good from evil. One of her finest works!

The rest of the cast was also really great! Pinar and Uraz have great harmony and I loved how Yasemin was the one free of inhibitions, fully aware of her sexuality and the "Avci" in the relationship, whereas Fatih was reserved, always at war with his mind and heart.

The duo that stole my heart though was Pinar and Tolga, Yasemin and Ahmet! Partners in crime and in life, they saved each other once and then they just never stopped being there for each other. They became family!

The dynamic between Yasemin and Ekin was also beautifully constructed!

Some other exquisite details were the art that was incorporated in the series to depict tales of the past and the music that added to the intensity and thrill of the experience!

I just hope we'll soon be hearing the renewal news, because I need to experience Yasemin Derin's new adventures!

When I watched the trailer, I just said 'that looks fantastic and I have to watch immediately' and yes today I watched the first episode, I can say only 'disappointment'. First of all, Deniz Pinar is so beautiful and I like her face. Acting skill is open to discuss ( as every actors and actresses) in first episode there are lots of mistakes.. ( this writer's blood for example, come on guys, what was that? Coca Cola??) i like some jokes, Uraz looks cool as usual but for first episode it didn't capture me and I don't have any intent for watching second episode. ( i hope I can give a chance) also i dont understand this type of story. I mean why? Anyway, story looks so familiar, for first episode characterizations are avarege, there is nothing for cinematography yet ( I can not say 'woow look at this scene'). If I continue to watch, I will update my review.

With all due respect to the "effort" in the first episode when the actress gets in the car and starts to squint her eyes tongue's out doing silly cringe expressions and keeps doing this all the show dose she have Tourette syndrome? She got a fly up in her nose and she's trying to get her out? Can someone explain?

I'm willing to take any explanation other than she's trying to play a psychopath character cause there's no way any director in the world would see this and go yes that's ok this is good portrayal of a psychopath character.

I'm sorry the lead playing Yasmin is a bad actress i couldn't keep watching.

One of the top 5 worst turkish mini series ever, in my book fever dream is the only thing that can be said. Embarrassing cast and even terrible acting bad effect bad dialog and editing. I'm really not usually this critical, but the script reads like a first draft of a high school screenwriting project. This is what happens when you have bad writing, directors who are out of their depth. Just ... wow The performances are some of the worst ever I don't know who told the actress she needs to stuck out her tongue every five minutes roll her eyes and laugh to convince us that she's a psycho cause that's definitely didn't work It looks like a snl joker skit although even the skit would've turned out way more realistic and convincing than whatever the hell pinar deniz's doing.