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The Stranger (2020)

2020 · Crime,Drama,Mystery · crime-detective-puzzle, contemporary-realistic

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The Stranger is a British mystery-thriller adapted from Harlan Coben's novel, built around a tantalising central hook: a mysterious stranger who exposes secrets that unravel multiple interconnected lives in a prosperous English suburb. The tone is tense and propulsive, leaning into puzzle-box plotting with ensemble storylines — missing persons, financial fraud, a school drug scandal, and a Munchausen-by-proxy subplot — converging across eight episodes. Richard Armitage anchors the drama as a solicitor whose life falls apart after a stranger reveals his wife has been lying to him. Reviewers consistently praise the grip of the first six episodes and the quality of the leads, but almost universally condemn the finale as rushed, illogical, and full of unresolved threads. Best suited to fans of Harlan Coben adaptations and bingeable British suburban noir.

From the reviewers

Binge-watched the full series today, and happy to report that it was well worth it. Certainly keeps you on the edge of your seat and unlike so many series nowadays, it doesn't leave you waiting for another series - it actually has an ending!
Great acting throughout, a good story and definately worth a watch.
With more twists and turns than a Pleasure Beach rollercoaster, you couldn't rest for a second before the next plot turn came around the corner.
While it's all completely bonkers and fantastical, somehow all the connections make a sort of crazy sense leading to a satisfying conclusion when the mystery of Armitage's wife's disappearance is finally solved.
With an interesting and varied cast including the likes of Jennifer Saunders, Paul Kaye and Steven Rea, the pace never flags as intrigue is piled on intrigue and one cliffhanging situation leads to another.

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