Our take
At just six episodes, Defending Jacob can feel surprisingly long. The dramatic pauses are drawn out and the dialogues tend to get melodramatic. But the core mystery remains compelling, as do the trio of performances that lead it. Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, and Jaden Martell are devastating to watch as they descend into uncertainty and chaos—Martell in particular, though the youngest, brings more heart to the table. Is he the psychopath everyone claims him to be, or is he just a boy struggling to come of age? It can stand to cut a few scenes and plot lines, but these three actors, the questions they raise about trust and loyalty, and the whodunnit mystery ultimately make it a gripping series.
The story
A family's lives are irreparably disrupted when the 14-year-old son is accused of murdering a fellow classmate.
A district attorney is forced to choose between duty and family when his son becomes a suspect in a tragic crime.
The darkness and mystery surrounding Martell’s character, which I wish the show explored more.
It’s a miniseries yet it somehow feels too long.
Who picked it
Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She's also seen You've Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it's one of the greatest films out there.
