His & Hers Review: Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal power a moody, character-driven whodunit

Set in the quiet hills of Dahlonega, close to Atlanta, ‘His & Hers’ opens with a brutal murder in the woods that rattles a town already weighed down by secrets.

• His & Hers is a slow-burn crime drama streaming on Netflix from December 12
• Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal star as ex-spouses investigating a murder
• The series focuses on grief and secrets, but some twists feel forced

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‘His & Hers,’ directed by William Oldroyd and Anja Marquardt, began streaming on Netflix from 12th December and stars Tessa Thompson, Jon Bernthal, Pablo Schreiber, Marina Ireland, Sunita Mani, Jamie Tisdale, Poppy Liu and Crystal Fox.

Set in the quiet hills of Dahlonega, close to Atlanta, ‘His & Hers’ opens with a brutal murder in the woods that rattles a town already weighed down by secrets. The series slowly draws viewers into a place where nothing feels fully settled. Based on the 2020 novel by Alice Feeney, the six-episode story unfolds in fragments, revealing information bit by bit.

A small town shaken by a murder

What begins as a body found in the woods soon turns into a deeper exploration of damaged families, buried truths, and long-standing mistrust. Even with its flaws, the show holds attention because suspicion hangs over everyone, shaping how they behave, what they say, and what they choose to hide.

Two investigations and one shared past

The series revolves around Anna Andrews (Tessa Thompson), a broadcast journalist struggling to reclaim her career after a year marked by personal loss. Covering the murder brings her back to her hometown, a place tied closely to painful memories she never truly left behind. Running parallel to her search is Detective Jack Harper (Jon Bernthal), a local sheriff trying to solve the case and uncover the identity of the murderer.

The story gradually reveals that Anna and Jack share more than just the case. They are separated, with their marriage still broken after the loss of their child. As Anna investigates for her report and Jack builds his case, their paths cross again and again. Around them are key figures like Jack’s partner Priya (Sunita Mani), his troubled sister Zoe (Marin Ireland), and Anna’s aging mother Alice (Crystal Fox), whose fading memory holds more than it first appears.

Memory, grief, and uneven momentum

The series remains on a strong footing when it plays with memory and perspective. Usage of flashbacks feels uncertain, forcing viewers to question what is true and what has been shaped by grief or guilt. The early episodes take a slow and steady approach, letting doubt build naturally instead of rushing to conclusions. Loss is shown through quiet moments rather than dramatic speeches, which keeps the emotions grounded.

That said, not every twist works. Some character decisions feel forced, made more for surprise than logic, and there are plenty of such instances. The middle episodes also lose focus at times, spending too long on peripheral stories that weaken the central mystery. Still, the setting adds mood, with the small-town feel and heavy skies creating a constant sense of tension. The series’ attempts to use red herrings to paint Harper as the murderer feel forced and even laughable, revealing a sense of desperation.

Thompson and Bernthal hold it together

Tessa Thompson delivers a credible performance as Anna, balancing determination with emotional fragility. Her restrained approach keeps the character believable and avoids unnecessary drama. Jon Bernthal plays Jack with a steady, weighed-down presence, showing a man carrying guilt and pressure in every scene.

Their moments together are some of the show’s most effective, filled with unspoken emotion and shared history. The supporting cast adds depth without pulling focus. Sunita Mani brings clarity and sharpness as Priya, while Marin Ireland gives Zoe an unpredictable edge. The smaller roles help the world feel real and grounded, strengthening the emotional pull of the story.

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A flawed but engaging mystery

‘His & Hers’ remains an engaging but uneven series. It does not reinvent the crime genre, but it offers enough tension and emotional weight to continue with the series. Some twists stretch logic, but the performances and atmosphere help balance those weak spots.

The show works best when it slows down and lets its characters sit with their pain. The series focuses more on emotional pain than on twists. For viewers who enjoy slow-burn stories about broken relationships, unresolved grief, and uneasy truths, this series makes for an engaging watch. But it’s best not to expect a truly cutting-edge whodunit series.

Rating: 3/5