Pieces of Her - A Netflix Series Review

I have no idea what I am running for, but bad guys are coming after me anyway.

Pieces of Her is a 2022 Netflix series based on the novel written by Karen Slaughter. Learning secrets about her mother, Andy is forced to run. Along her drive, Andy discovers her mother's hidden past. It’s going to take a lot for each to trust one another and solve the crime.

Pieces of Her should have been titled pieces of a series that nobody is sure what it’s about. I was confused half the time and I wasn’t sure what was going on. Beginning with an exciting premise, it transforms into a bland series about a girl trying to figure out her mother's secret life.

Toni Collette was the main reason why I wanted to watch this series. A strong actress, Collette conquers her impressive facial reactions. Arguably she saves the series from how messy it is. Jane has always been hiding from something. Figuring out what she is fighting for in life, Collette’s character gets lost in the script.

Andy (Bella Heathcote) is one of the most incompetent characters. She wasn't given proper direction for her character. She needs to take an undercover class as Andy is horrible at covering her tracks. I do feel bad for her with what she has to go through. Overall, Heathcote examined difficult emotions and a lot of stress.

Collette and Heathcote did a good job with a script that was constantly changing. Even the writers still weren’t sure what this series was about. All the questions each character asked were the writers asking the same thing.

This series really had no idea where it was going. It had a good start but then it skewered into complete nonsense. The first two episodes had a story until it loses steam in the middle half. By the end, it started to get interesting, but it was too late because the series finished without a clear resolution.

The main characters barely spend any time together. This is their story after all. The mother-daughter relationship between Jane and Andy should have attained better focus which is what it’s all about. The script wasn’t sure which character was the focal point.

Instead, it just dissolves into several flashback scenes with Jane in her youth. Having the opportunity to play Jane at a younger age, I could tell that Jessica Barden was trying to do her best facial impressions of Collette.

Most of the supporting characters end up on the sidelines. Gordon (Omari Hardwick) had potential, but he was never given time to expand. Other credits include Joe Dempsie, David Wenham, Terry O’Quinn, Catherine McClements, and Calum Worthy. A noteworthy shoutout goes to young actress Ellie Lang. She was wonderful in all her line deliveries.

Charlotte Stoudt had the right idea for the premise. She didn’t execute it properly. Half the time I was confused about what was going on, who the characters were, and where the characters were driving to now. It jumped around to different time periods without warning.

The series didn’t spark much originality. Pieces of Her stole one notable reference from Psycho! The writing is so lazy. I am not sure which character I was supposed to root for.

Be aware the series contains graphic and violent scenes. The opening is very violent but it was the most exciting scene. There should have been more scenes like this.

You may find it confusing, but if you want, take a look at Pieces of Her on Netflix.