It takes a lot to grab an audience these days. Desensitised is perhaps the best word to describe your average viewer. Catatonic might be another. Judging by the barrage of true crime shows and thrillers – each one more depraved than the last – it seems the only antidote for this slumberous state is buckets of blood and a good jump-scare. Within nine minutes of the first episode, Pieces of Her delivers both.
This new murder mystery is, like all Netflix shows seem to be nowadays, an adaptation of a bestselling novel. In this case, one by the appropriately named Karin Slaughter. But back to those first nine minutes: Toni Collette plays Laura Oliver, a mild-mannered mother who is celebrating her daughter’s 30th birthday when a crazed gunman attacks the restaurant. Without a pause, she leaps to her feet and slices his throat like it’s nothing. As easy as julienning a carrot. But this act of hometown heroism brings with it unwanted fame. Suddenly, her face is on every news channel in the country – and Laura is on the run from a forgotten enemy.
