The Sister

The Sister is a chilling and compelling four-part drama series that aired on ITV back in 2020. This gripping psychological thriller was penned by Neil Cross, the author of the acclaimed crime drama Luther and inspired by his own novel, Burial. The combination of Cross’s innate talent of telling deeply intricate and sophisticated narratives, coupled with the outstanding performances of the show’s protagonists often leaves viewers at the edge of their seats.

The series stars Russell Tovey, well known for his roles in Being Human and Years and Years, who plays the central character - Nathan. Tovey's emotionally raw and intense portrayal of Nathan immediately captivates viewers, drawing them into his terrifyingly tangled reality. His mannerisms and expressions perfectly embody a man who’s haunted by a past that refuses to fade away – an intense past destined to unravel and mar his seemingly perfect present.

Sharing screen space with Tovey is Bertie Carvel, whom many may recognize from his role in Doctor Foster, who plays Bob Morrow, the eccentric and chillingly creepy character in the series. Carvel's performance of Bob amplifies the eerie atmosphere that the show successfully builds, becoming integral to driving the ghosts from the past to confront Nathan. Other noteworthy performances include Amrita Acharia as Holly, the main female lead, who convincingly plays the role of Nathan’s unsuspecting yet strong-willed wife, and Simone Ashley as Elise, whose brief but powerful appearance sets the tone of the series.

Set in the suburbs of London, the cinematography of The Sister gives it an unsettling aura. The frequent use of darkness and shadows combined with the oppressive English weather enhances and supplements the suspenseful nature of the series. The entangled forest scenes are chillingly beautiful and make for an eerie backdrop for the series of events that unfold. Similarly, the use of sound – or its absence at key moments – is a tool effectively used to augment the suspense and drama to a nerve-racking level.

The Silhouette of the story revolves around Nathan, who seems to be living the perfect life, which suddenly gets interrupted by an unwelcome face from the past - Bob Morrow. A series of events that transpired one ghastly night from their past resurface, threatening to demolish the extraordinarily ordinary life that Nathan has constructed. This confrontation leads Nathan on a dread-fuelled journey, the plot weaving around treacherous secrets, implicating guilt and horrific revelations. As the story progresses, it explores the ripple effect of one night's events through past, present, and future, leaving the viewers guessing about the undisclosed truths that lurk within.

The series masterfully serves suspense, keeping viewers constantly guessing about the past and the narrative's impending direction. The Sister’s structure is played out in two timelines – the past and present. This method not only effectively enhances the narrative’s mysteriousness but also provides the audience with crucial puzzle pieces at the opportune moments, all the while managing to uphold an electrifying level of suspense.

The intriguing characters, unpredictable plot, and the menacing ambiance created by the combination of sound and visuals make The Sister a real page-turner in the form of a TV series. While there are moments of pure terror, it is intertwined with the exploration of human emotions and relationships, making it a rich narrative reminiscent of human complexities.

In conclusion, The Sister is a compelling psychological thriller that is as much about the horror of confronting a malevolent and gloomy past as it is about its characters grappling with the moral ambiguities of their choices. Its narrative is brooding, tense, and often fearlessly plunges the viewers into an atmosphere of dread. A chilling and suspenseful series that’s provocative and unsettlingly enjoyable, The Sister manages to keep its viewers gripped till the very end and beyond.