After the Party

Imagine believing something so powerfully inside of you that your entire life becomes a train wreck and, to everyone else, you are a loose canon of mammoth proportions. Is it true or is it not?

This is another amazing New Zealand production, like so many of theirs.

Robyn Malcolm is sensational. The entire cast fits their roles perfectly. The scenery is stunning. I began to watch a few minutes and binge watched the entire 6 of series 1, in one afternoon and evening.

Denial, lies, the delicate balance of trust. The fragility of youth. Manipulation and control. If you are a victim of abuse I would say to watch this with caution. A must watch.

An amazing series. Possibly the best I have watched in years.

Brilliantly acted and is and absolutely gripping throughout. The lead actress is outstanding (she seemed like a New Zealand version of Frances McDormand)

The series deals with the complex issue of sexual abuse in a sensitive manner, and provides insight into the devastating impact upon victims and all those affected. It is illustrates that reporting sexual abuse is never straightforward.

I can't believe some viewers found the series to be slow and boring (and I can't imagine what more they possibly could want out of a series like this).

This mini series is quite raw and purposely uncomfortable. Don't expect to see a hero storyline. The characters are messy and they draw you in starting with the first ep. The viewer will continue to question if they know where the show is going. Is Phil guilty of a horrendous and disgusting crime??? ...or has Penny convinced herself that certain events occurred when they actually didn't? Even Penny seems to be questioning her memory and what she really saw that night at the party. The first three episodes pack a lot of punch in terms of storyline and plot twists. Each episode only leaves more questions. The ending doesn't disappoint and you will likely be sitting there asking yourself how you couldn't see where the story was going all along. Get ready for a slight cliff hanger though with the show not quite answering one final question (although I think it's assumed it could only be answered one way with final scene). Amazing acting by Robyn Malcolm who totally steals the show.

My goodness, this series is just fantastic. It was a weekly must watch for me, but when it becomes more readily available, you might be lucky enough to go directly to the next episode.

It's hard not to spoil this, and I wont. Robyn Malcolm and Peter Mullen are husband and wife, Penny and Phil. They are celebrating Phil's birthday and everyone is smashed. The plot will reveal itself by the middle of the first episode, but I will say this...Accusations are declared, thus ending the party, and spiraling into an on-going 5 year debacle.

The plot twists and turns, the viewer never knows the truth or what the circumstances are until episode 6, thus concluding this near perfect New Zealand series.

Robyn M and Peter M are just sublime, as is, basically every side character including Grace (their daughter), Ollie and Tom (Graces mates), and dean O'Gorman as Simon.

This is such a Must Watch.

I see absolutely why some people find it slow moving, but really stick with it as the story/tension builds brilliantly to its quietly devasting climax. I binged watched as I just had to discover where the story would lead and, for me, that worked really well. I totally invested in Pennie's character and her dilemma. If it had been a 'film' that performance is Oscar-worthy. The direction is beautifully understated and the whole cast seems brilliantly chosen for the authenticity. If you feel uncomfortable watching this I suspect the writers, director and actors have achieved exactly what they intended.