We Were Liars Review: A haunting, heartfelt adaptation of E. Lockhart’s bestseller

We Were Liars Review: A haunting, heartfelt adaptation of E. Lockhart’s bestseller

A beautiful setting hides emotional wounds

‘We Were Liars’ isn’t just a story you watch—it’s one you feel creeping in slowly. At first look, the plot is all about sunshine and sophistication: private islands, expensive paintings, and the illusion of a picture-perfect family. But the moment you begin to settle into the summer glow with the characters, the cracks begin to show. The Sinclairs don’t talk about pain—they bury it, wrap it in tradition, and smile through it. And in doing so, the show burrows into the silence, asking you to lean in and notice what’s not being said. Adapted from E. Lockhart’s bestselling novel, the series retains the book’s haunting mood and introspective style. It doesn't just translate the twist—it makes the emotional journey worth the ride. ‘We Were Liars’ isn’t loud or showy; instead, it hums with quiet tension, peeling back layers of privilege, repression, and grief.

The “Liars” anchor the story

What makes this series engaging and gripping is largely because of Cadence Sinclair Eastman, played with quiet vulnerability by Emily Alyn Lind. Cadence isn’t dramatic; she’s disoriented, gently crumbling in the way someone might when trying to hold themselves together while not knowing why they’re broken. Lind’s performance is understated, refusing melodrama and opting instead for vulnerability that sticks. Around her, the trio of “Liars”—Johnny (Joseph Zada), Mirren (Esther McGregor), and Gat (Shubham Maheshwari)—ground the story. There’s a certain sincerity and honesty in their interactions that feels lived-in, like late-night conversations you once had with people you thought you'd never grow apart from. Their friendship resonates with unspoken longing and foreboding.

Not without flaws

Still, the show stumbles at times. After establishing the world of the Sinclairs, the third and fourth episodes tend to lose steam, weighed down by conversations and time jumps that start to blur more than they illuminate. The dialogue can get a little too self-aware for its own good, leaning into metaphors when a simple moment might’ve sufficed. And while some of the stylistic choices—like the dreamy editing or slow-motion flashbacks—initially evoke mystery, they can start to feel repetitive. That said, the visual language does succeed in capturing Cadence’s disoriented mind and emotional fog. Even in its draggiest moments, there’s something pulling you forward, a sense that the truth is just around the corner, waiting to change everything. It’s only after the death of Tipper, Harris’ wife, that the series gains momentum and does not leave till the end.

The twist reframes everything

When the twist hits, it lands like a punch to the chest—not because it’s a cheap trick, but because it forces you to re-evaluate every gentle interaction that came before it. On a second watch, scenes feel heavier, dialogue suddenly echoes with deeper sadness, and you catch the pain hiding behind every smile. The show isn’t about the twist—it’s about the heartbreak that lives before and after it. About what it means to remember something you’d rather forget and the cost of finally facing it. This is where the series truly mirrors Lockhart’s novel: not just in plot points, but in emotional tone.

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The series stays true to E Lockhart’s vision

Credit also goes to the series for expanding its lens beyond just Cadence. It gives glimpses of the complex dynamics among the Sinclair adults—especially the simmering rivalries between the sisters and the cold indifference of their father, played chillingly by David Morse. Caitlin FitzGerald’s performance as Penny adds layers to a mother who appears composed but is emotionally inaccessible. The island looks warm and beautiful, but beneath it all is pain—and that contrast makes the story more powerful. The direction is never overbearing, and the music lets the performances breathe. It’s in these quiet corners—between repression and revelation—that ‘We Were Liars’ finds its haunting beauty. It’s not perfect, but it lingers like a summer memory you can’t quite let go. This series is a fine teen drama.
Cast: Emily Alyn Lind, Esther McGregor, Joseph Zada, Shubham Maheshwari, Caitlin FitzGerald, and David Morse

Director: Nzingha Stewart, So Yong Kim, Erica Dunton

Rating: 3.5/5
(‘We Were Liars’ is streaming on Prime Video)