User reviews

The tension in the series is created between the characters' and the audience, rather than among the actors. Birdie's deep-seated denial makes the viewers say over and over "how can she believe him", as do her friends and family.

The more that audience members can sympathize with Bridie's denial, the more profound the tension is. However, for those of us who do not sympathize, the constant repetition of her failing can be a bit tedious. Therefor the director has taken a big chance by using this technique. This is exacerbated by the fact that the story arc builds up slowly over the initial episodes and that the crescendo is 100% predictable.

My Review- Fake Streaming on Paramount My Rating 7.5/10

I found Fake a compelling psychological drama I can't call it a thriller as there was no crime committed or any murder but it is a dramatic journey into deception and obsession.

Asher Keddie starring as Birdie Bell gives an award winning performance and deserves every accolade she will obviously receive for this role . She is so believable as a successful journalist devoted to her career .

Her loneliness appears to have ended when she responds to a dating app and meets Joe Burt a well dressed but rugged looking, smooth talking guy who says he loves the outdoors and his kids from a broken marriage.

Birdie is reluctant at first to proceed further especially after a warning from one of Joe's ex girlfriend's to Run.

No spoilers you get the gist of the story it's not a new concept.

After all long before dating apps some particular type of men have led women on a merry dance of deception for centuries with multiple wives and children .

Today's cyber world of meeting partners on dating apps has certainly refined this practice .

My main small criticism of this well acted well produced series relates to a few plot inconsistencies that I can't reveal without a spoiler or two.

One is how could Joe Burt present so well in smart suits ties etc and have some obvious income but live like a homeless derelict in a boat with his dog?

The other was why it took a friend of Birdie Bell to convince her to change the lock on her apartment after certain revelations concerning Joel Burt are discovered.

David Wenham while not my favourite actor does give a very good performance but for me he was far too obvious a fraud from the beginning. His demeanour and leer was more fitting of a serial killer than an eligible date I would have run a mile .

Another wonderful performance worth a mention in Fake is from veteran Australian actress Heather Mitchell who is so irritatingly wonderful as Margeaux Birdie's mother.

I did enjoy Fake with reservations for me Asher Keddie gives one of the best performances of this season it's worth a watch.

The production values on this series are good, the story gets you intrigued early on, mainly from the 'what's going on' perspective.

The obvious point that such an educated, successful, attractive woman is so lonely, is something you need to get over, plus the fact that she's so desperate to meet a man, she's prepared to drop all doubts and oddities associated with him, just to get him.

Once the odd behaviours grow the story slowly develops, behind lovely Australian backdrops and city scapes, the heroine's fears and questions pop up and she looks for answers, again why she's so determined to hang onto this man is a bit of a mystery.

Things I found annoying, the need to insert alcohol into many scenes, the fragility of the female character, the sinister male lead, the gay but oh so fun friends, everyone seems wealthy and in luxury, but often unhappy, all very typical of Australian shows, so typical you fight the impulse to fast forward occasionally to get on with the story, so at times it gets 'dull', you want it to develop and it doesn't.

This was incredibly triggering to watch, but at the same time I found it helped give me some strength too. The show did develop in a steady way, but developing the characters and story was important - and for me I felt it was a good pace. The acting felt authentic and we really got to the know the characters backstory.

Cinematic storytelling with stunning Melbourne scenes. Wonderfully Australian.

I feel every young woman should watch this show. Sadly these types of behaviours are on the rise - and targeting trusting, empathetic people. It's an incredibly profound experience and this show respectfully delves into the background of this very dark personality.

Thank you.

I've only watched the first episode, but all actors great, story great, suspense great. Gotta love Aussie drama/adult romcom/suspense there's a quality here that I can't define but it's there. I have to admit this is the first time I've seen Asher Keddie act, how dumb was I, can't wait to see other stuff she's done. Anyway, I'm not a professional reviewer haha, but the speed of the first episode was great, character development so far is perfect. There is something about Aussie drama that is real and makes you want to see more of it. I can see that I'm going to binge this to death. Not sure where it's heading but I can't wait to find out.

... the extreme popularity of several of the actors in this series cannot help save it from itself... it's like saying anything not positive about them is somehow sacrilegious

... the acting and production values are not the albatross... it's the tedious, at time very boring storyline-script that's hard overcoming... first couple episodes were painfully-"slow-burning"... with the remaining four hardly getting much better... maybe E8 raising rating up a notch (and possibilities for next season)

... one reviewer repeating foreshadowing over and over and over, and they were right, for we know from the very beginning pretty much the entire premise of the production... spending three and a half hours buried continually in it, was more than undesirable (to just get to the ending)

... yes, lengthy film or five-six episodes at most... and it was the final series one episode was the most interesting-intriguing... keep that going (hopefully) throughout a second season, and it will have made tediousness of season one bit more worthwhile.

The trailer didn't fully sell me but I thought I'd give it a go as I have loved Asher Keddie in everything from offspring, to the lost flowers of Alice Hart and to nine perfect strangers and let me tell you, I was addicted from the beginning of episode one and that continued all the way through. I stayed up until the hours of the morning binging it. Asher Keddie just sucks you in and makes you feel all of the emotions with her. I felt for her, I was frustrated watching her and I was saddened by what was playing out in front of her. Brilliant Aussie show that exceeded any expectation and fantastic acting. More of this please!

The key to this working is a credible male lead ( in what is a difficult nuanced role to pull off convincingly). David Wenham didn't, at all. At almost 60 he is for a start too old, too crepey-skinned. His character was creepy, he was given a lizardy persona, unfortunately Joe was NOT what he must be.

Hot.

Who is craving to get in this creaky, rather plodding, aging, man's bed?

Apparently a whole slew of beautiful intelligent women, all taken in and enraptured to the point of slavish devotion . 60 emails with heart rending tales of seducer Joe!!!

Please. No.

None of us watching Joe were craving to be in bed with him either, btw (imagine here a shudder indicating skin crawling at the thought lol).

The writing was off for Joe, the character needed way more finesse in language, charisma, good looks, and sex appeal, delivered by an actor with compelling, utterly irresistible BDE, and way more sympathetic outside of the scene in the church where we see his pain. That was good, well done.

That first encounter at Atons bar ..."do you want to get out of here?" The look that is then exchanged between them as Joe agrees means, as every single adult watching knows, let's ***k. His sliding off into the night outside was the beginning of a mountain of sleight of hand by Joe's character that was absurdly clunky, as to be an insult to the intelligence.

Asher Keddie is terrific, she holds this together. Her character is far better written and presented than her counterpart, we are provided with sufficient context to see why this one woman with her history anxiety and pressures wanted so much for this to work. She was believable in a narrative where nothing else important was believable.

It's an easy reasonably engaging binge, but could have been so much more immersive, tantalising, heartrending.

A missed opportunity, should have been a 10.

Having read the book, giving that 5/5 stars and relating to the red flags and gaslighting that goes on when you're in a relationship with a narcissist, was eagerly awaiting this series. It's true to the book, and a very accurate portrayal of the lengths narcissists will go to the deceive and betray those closest to them, destroying them emotionally and often financially too. Asher Keddie plays the role of main character, Birdie, with authenticity. She was so believable in the role and portrayed how slowly and easy it is to fall victim to these relationship scammers. Like Birdie, a very educated, intelligent woman, anyone can be deceived as they go to extraordinary lengths to provide fake and falsified "evidence" as "proof" of all their accolades, achievements and wealth.

Can an entire show be foreshadowing? Can every single moment be foreshadowing? Can every single thing be framed entirely explicitly as foreshadowing? This show may be going for a world record or something, trying to make every single second, from the very opening shots, be Foreshadowing. Can a show that is entirely foreshadowing also feature the worst performances by two great actors, entirely miscast, with No chemistry, and the most unhappy and miserable sex scene in the history of everything?

Yes. Yes yes yes. All yes.

I have never not enjoyed Asher Keddie, before. I have always respected David Wenham, before. This is trash. I think the writer was trying to make herself look better at having Always Suspected Things, but it makes her a boring anxious character that you can't sympathise with who has No Arc. Crap.

It's not very often that we binge an entire series in one go, but wow, "Fake" was BRILLIANT. This new Australian TV show dives into the complexities of being in a relationship with a narcissist and is both compelling and unsettling. Asher Keddie shines as a writer who meets a seemingly perfect rancher, played by Aaron Wenham, on a dating app. She soon finds herself caught in his web of deceit, uncovering his lies bit by bit.

"Fake" kept us on the edge of our seats the entire time and delivered some of the best episodes we've ever seen. The storytelling is sharp, the characters are well-developed, and the tension is palpable. Keddie and Wenham's chemistry makes her journey through deception and discovery both gripping and heartbreaking. This series is a must-watch for anyone who loves a well-crafted drama that captivates from start to finish.

I had seen this advertised over the last few weeks & was really looking forward to it. Asher Keddie is an amazing actress who really makes you believe the characters she plays. The first episode was so slow but I persevered with it, hoping it would get better. All it did was frustrate me more with each episode How could Birdie be so blind to Joe's lies??? They got grander by the scene & the gas lighting, omg.. They're both sad, whiny characters. Wish I hadn't wasted my time watching this drivel.. On the bright side, it was a lovely surprise to see Anne Charleston on screen again. I loved her as Madge on Neighbours all those years ago.

I was only watching this because I grew up on one of the properties filmed ( not in the grand house but another house on the property). Anyway I really liked the show. I can see, and have experienced, how easy it to fall for someone even though the warning bells are ringing loudly. When your love bucket is empty you will date the person that comes along and tries to fill it. You so so much want to believe. The relationship between mother and daughter didn't help Birdees' self esteem. With the therapy she was getting how come she didn't tell her mother to treat her better. Congratulations to the writer bringing up the cheater issue from a perspective that can be understood from probably way too many vulnerable people.

Good show.

It's a good emotionally charged story about a woman, middle-aged, approaching her menopause woman, as her colleague characterised her. She feels so lonely and unloved, that becomes an ideal victim of the manipulation and lies. Mountains of lies. How couldn't she see this... Asher Keddie delivers stellar performance. I feel for her heroine, sympathise her, get angry with her and go through this story together with her like on a rollercoaster.

I particularly enjoyed the last three episodes. Finally, we got to see who real Joe was and Birdie's bitter sweet victory. I do hope she will find love eventually, she deserves it.

During the first 6 episodes, the plot was slow and all we were watching is Birdee's alternating between trust and distrust toward Joe with the latter being seemingly the perfect guy. Nothing that could excite the viewer for what is to come.

And whilst I was waiting for a finale that could make an attempt to salvage the whole series, that was even more under-whelming and disappointing as, contrary to what the synopsis of the episode promised, I only just briefly saw how Birdee was used as a pawn in Joe's con (through Birdee's words with Allan).

Generally, save your time and watch something else.

Overrated show that is average. The amount of advertising for this show is a good indication of how bad this show really is. Save several hours and don't waste your time on this show. Remember half the positive reviews are from affiliates with Paramount + so go figure!!! The why are you doing that birdie are just will she won't she. Just a drain as we know she'll take the wrong decision. If you are the gullible type this show is for you. If you have any brains the. There are plenty of good shows worthy of watching over this really poor series. You could save your time and watch a million other shows more worthy than this.