CHENNAI: “Bad Sisters” on Apple TV+ has been adapted from the Belgian black comedy “The Out-Laws,” but interestingly nothing has been lost in the retelling of the story, which is made all the more gripping by producer and star Sharon Horgan. She is superbly competent in the role of Eva, who takes on a maternal role and takes care of her four sisters after the death of their parents.
The show follows the Garvey sisters — Grace (Anne-Marie Duff), the rebellious Bibi (Sarah Greene), a nurse and mother of three, perhaps the most levelheaded of the lot, Ursula (Eva Birthistle), Eva and, finally, Becka (Eve Hewson), the baby of the brood who is carefree and aimless.
The 10-episode series moves quickly, evenly and compellingly and opens with the funeral of Grace’s abusive husband, John Paul Williams (Claes Bang), who is widely despised by the sisters.
The show follows the Garvey sisters — Grace (Anne-Marie Duff), the rebellious Bibi (Sarah Greene), Ursula (Eva Birthistle), Eva and, finally, Becka (Eve Hewson). (Supplied)
The series plays out like an Agatha Christie plot and although John’s death has been declared an accident, there are enough motives and suspects to believe that it may not have been so. For the man had abused each of his sisters-in-law, as well as his wife, with his controlling and borderline physically violent nature.
John might have rested in peace but for his insurance agent, Thomas Claffin (Brian Gleeson), who is desperate to prove that the death was not natural but the result of foul play – in which case he does not have to pay out the life insurance that will bankrupt his firm. He takes on the role of a detective, intruding into the most private moments of the sisters. He is brash and shorn of shame while his business partner and half-brother Matthew (Daryl McCormack, fresh from his outing in “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande”) is far less ruthless and soon begins a relationship with one of the sisters that will complicate things even more.
All this is neatly packed with a lot of black humor that keeps the narrative rolling with tons of suppressed excitement, although some viewers may find the central subject of domestic violence too dark to watch given it is a comedy of sorts.
Against all this is the Gothic-style suspense laced with the wickedest of thoughts, and a deliciously witty soundtrack is used to add humor to the show.