56 Days: A Surface-Level Thriller
56 Days, a new murder mystery on Prime Video, based on Catherine Ryan Howard’s book, tries to draw viewers in with a mix of intrigue and eroticism. At first, it seems exciting—enough to keep you hooked for a couple of episodes. But as time goes on, you might find there’s not much substance beneath the glossy exterior.
The show kicks off with a shocking discovery: a decomposing body in a luxury building. The detectives describe it as more like a grotesque soup than a human body. This chilling scene stands out in today’s crowded TV landscape, reminding us that horror director James Wan is among the show’s executive producers.
The story unfolds through the lens of two newcomers to Boston: Ciara (Dove Cameron), a struggling tech worker living in a rundown studio, and Oliver (Avan Jogia), a wealthy architect with a dark past. They meet at a posh grocery store and quickly hit it off, with flirty banter about space shuttles. Their chemistry is undeniable, yet it feels superficial.
Despite the initial spark, their relationship lacks the intensity and depth needed to make it compelling. The series describes itself as an erotic thriller, suggesting that passion can lead to dangerous choices. But rather than a thrilling romance, the interactions seem flat, missing emotional stakes. Their intimate moments come off as rehearsed rather than spontaneous, which diminishes their impact.
The creators attempt to stretch the tension by withholding key backstory elements, which can be a double-edged sword. While it keeps viewers curious about Ciara and Oliver’s secrets, it also limits deeper character exploration. The result is a narrative that feels shallow, leaving us to wonder about the motives of these enigmatic characters.
Recent surveys indicate that audiences are increasingly looking for depth in storytelling. Viewers want to connect emotionally with characters, something 56 Days struggles to provide. It’s like a page-turner that skips the character development—entertaining in the moment but ultimately forgettable.
The series also features a parallel storyline with detectives Karl and Lee, which adds little substance. Their complaints about their jobs distract from the core plot, making you wish for more focus on the central characters.
Ultimately, the big reveals, which should offer insight into the characters’ complexities, fall flat. Instead of making them feel more relatable, they often render some characters caricatures of cruelty. This approach might pull in casual viewers, but it misses a chance for meaningful engagement.
In a world where audiences crave complexity and emotional connections, 56 Days serves as a reminder that merely using familiar tropes isn’t enough to engage viewers fully. While it can offer a temporary thrill, it leaves a bland aftertaste, proving that a story needs both heat and warmth to truly resonate.
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Avan Jogia,Dove Cameron
