One Of Us Is Lying Series Review: Another good young adult adaptation added to the stable

The cliché setting, notwithstanding, Erica Saleh’s adaptation of Karen M. McManus’ young adult mystery/drama novel is one engaging ride. While watching One Of Us Is Lying, you can’t help but recall titles such as 13 Reasons Why and Panic. Yes, they may all belong to the young adult genre, but they also feature overlapping themes that are hard to ignore. In its tone and fairly realistic depiction of American teenage reality, the show is more similar to Panic, setting itself apart from 13 Reasons Why (whose last two seasons drew a blank with an overdose of melodrama). The series is set in Bayview High, where fitting in is the norm. Everyone (well, almost) puts on a public face for their peers. Those who are unafraid to be themselves are often relegated to ‘social outcast’ status. The remarkably bright Simon Kelleher (Mark McKenna) is one such student. His best friend Janae (Jessica McLeod) and him sit together, passing sarcastic remarks about their classmates’ inability to be individuals, to be authentic. He takes this endeavour one step further with his app, posting revelatory information pertaining to his classmates. A day of detention for five students ends in tragedy when Simon suffers an anaphylactic shock after drinking from the water cooler. His sudden, unexpected passing raises questions about the remaining four students in the room, all of whom Simon threatened to expose. All five received detention for something odd. Why was the EpiPen missing from the nurse’s station during his attack? When the investigation rules out accidental death, the police’s focus falls on the other four: Bronwyn (Marianly Tejada), Bayview’s star student and future valedictorian, her sights set on Yale; Addy (Annalisa Cochrane), a popular cheerleader who hangs out with the cool kids; Cooper (Chibuikem Uche), the school’s champion baseball pitcher eyeing the major league; and Nate (Cooper van Grootel), a drug dealer with a criminal record and difficult home life.

Creator: Erica Saleh 
Cast: Marianly Tejada, Annalisa Cochrane, Mark McKenna, Chibuikem Uche
Streaming On: Netflix

For the outer world, these highschoolers may appear to fit neatly into pre-assigned boxes, but there’s a lot more to the story than meets the eye. Each of them has motive to wipe Simon out for the threat he posed, but so does the rest of the school, for that matter. The genius kid sick of pretence and hypocrisy apparently dug enough to gather dirt on everyone, including teachers.

One Of Us Is Lying taps into the complex and confounding world of teenage lives. The overwhelming need to be seen in a particular way by others or just be seen, is the underlying theme of the show. Everyone has a few secrets growing up, and some may not even be that big of a deal, as we are to find out. But the big ones tend to resurface if ignored for too long. All the kids have something to lose, here; Ivy league college prospects, a seemingly good relationship, a promising athletic career, and freedom to just leave.

It is nice to see nuance in the central characters’ personalities when they are forced to work together. Initially, they are highly suspicious of one another, but as time passes, we see a side (camaraderie, empathy, understanding) they often mask from the rest of the world. In an effort to prove their innocence, personal secrets come to the fore. Even individual family dynamics play a big part in the teens’ existence. Bronwyn and Cooper have much riding on their young shoulders, and their parents keep reminding them of what’s at stake. Addy’s mother seems to be only concerned about her daughter’s looks, not taking a moment to empathise with her about the ongoing situation; with the social media buzz being generated, her mom ludicrously suggests that she must use this opportunity to become an influencer. Nate’s unstable childhood explains many of his past misdemeanours. And yet, their true potential comes out when they’re put in scenarios beyond their comfort zone. This complexity of characterisation is captured in the writing.

The police investigation, however, is poorly presented. For the high school kids to outwit law enforcement so easily, and at almost every given turn, is rather implausible. The Murder Club (as the four suspects are christened) meets in secret to discuss strategy, being closely watched by an unknown entity. Where on earth are the investigators? If the kids are indeed suspects, how come the police isn’t monitoring their phones? Some bland questioning by the lead officer on the case (in a mock-threatening voice, no less) is neither believable nor impressive.

One Of Us Is Lying has been picked up for a second season. It is more than likely the narrative follows the events from Karen M. McManus’ follow-up, One Of Us Is Next. Worthy performances, a good soundtrack, decent pacing, and writing that doesn’t go into melodramatic cliches, ensure that Season 2 will be awaited!