56 Days season 1 review: It felt like 56 days passed watching this show

Many homicide mysteries begin with a physique, however 56 Days is extra obsessive about our bodies than most. 

The sequence begins with a decomposing corpse that kicks off your entire investigation. It’s disgusting, however that doesn’t cease the digital camera from lingering over it, presenting the physique from each angle.

It’s not till we rewind 56 days into the previous, nonetheless, that this fixation actually begins.

Based mostly on Catherine Ryan Howard’s novel of the identical identify, Prime Video’s adaptation jumps backwards and forwards between a police investigation within the current and the beginning of a brand new relationship that started nearly two months prior. 

This model swaps out the COVID-ridden backdrop of Dublin in 2020 for present-day Boston the place there’s no pandemic in sight. That huge change apart, the sequence stays fairly devoted to the supply materials (thanks largely to Howard’s personal involvement in adapting her phrases to display screen).

Meaning intercourse performs a giant position once more right here – because it ought to! That is speculated to be an erotic thriller, in any case, therefore the infinite parades of bare torsos (and extra) to be discovered throughout all eight episodes.

The bare torsos in query belong to Ciara (Dove Cameron) and Oliver (Avan Jogia) who meet by likelihood at a grocery retailer and fall right into a steamy relationship. Sure, it’s steamy in additional methods than one because of the sheer quantity of showers the pair take each solo and collectively. One can’t assist however concern for Oliver’s water invoice by the top.

However that’s not all that makes us fearful. What units 56 Days aside is that there isn’t an enormous record of suspects to run down in relation to who is likely to be chargeable for that melting corpse. As an alternative, the central thriller comes all the way down to the 2 lovebirds in query. One in every of them is lifeless, however which one is it? And why did the opposite one finish the connection with homicide after they appear to be so comfortable in love?

Twists and secrets and techniques abound, as you may count on, they usually’re fairly outlandish for probably the most half, however they’re not precisely gripping. The current day narrative drags more durable, regardless of respectable character work from actors Karla Souza and Dorian Missick because the lead detectives. That is sensible although. All the promoting level of this present is the erotic chemistry between Cameron and Jogia. And so they actually do put their all into promoting it.

Each single episode ends with their characters banging, or a minimum of it feels that manner. And to be honest, they’re each beautiful human beings. Actually, I used to be tempted to offer the present an additional star only for Jogia’s hair alone. The chemistry the pair create collectively is simple. However exterior of that, the characters really feel like they had been written in a day, all surface-level and twist-driven, moderately than substantial individuals with personalities of their very own.

There’s a lot potential on this concept that both of them is culpable for the violence that’s to return. Or maybe each of them is likely to be? With out spoiling something, there’s extra to their motivations going into this relationship than you may at first suppose. It’s all dragged out far too lengthy although, with a thriller that’s extra unbelievable and draining with every subsequent episode.

56 Days is the right instance of a function size narrative stretched out six hours longer than essential (an issue that plagues a lot of the TV panorama in 2026).

There are flashes of one thing extra attention-grabbing right here, such because the second when Oliver fairly actually drowns in his struggling on the finish of episode 4. Extra stylistic prospers like this could have been welcome, particularly with horror maestro James Wan’s involvement as an govt producer. As an alternative, it’s all a bit bland and samey, regardless of sturdy supporting turns from the likes of Jesse James Keitel, an underrated expertise in exhibits reminiscent of Queer As People and Large Sky.

The tip result’s a innocent distraction, enjoyable at instances should you’re within the temper for one thing trashy and somewhat scandalous. However let’s not child ourselves and fake that 56 Days is something greater than fundamental. Cameron and Jogia are higher than this. And perhaps, simply perhaps, so are you.

Must you watch 56 Days?

For those who’re on the lookout for one thing sensible and thrilling, look elsewhere. Be happy so as to add a star should you’re into seeing Cameron or Jogia shirtless although.