Can you guess which new thriller will utterly ruin your sleep schedule this week? Its called Last Seen.
Synopsis
When emergency dispatcher Ian receives a frantic phone call from a teenager, he believes she is his long-missing daughter. Last Seen gets nuts very quickly. Consequently, he launches a relentless, rule-breaking search to track her down. Because this is a tightly packed mini-series spanning just six episodes, the tension kicks off immediately. Frankly, a staggering amount of chaos unfolds before you even blink. The ultimate intrigue stems from a devastating premise where both sides carry so much heartbreak that picking a clear side proves impossible.
Cast and Performances
Naturally, I remained completely in my emotions throughout the entire run. After all, the mere thought of losing a child feels entirely daunting. Yet, the character dynamics will leave internet debate rooms completely torn apart. Ian has every right to be moving mad, aggressively chasing suspects with guns and ramming cars off the road. Frankly, his desperate actions feel fully justified under these harrowing circumstances. Meanwhile, Henry has zero right to kidnap a child by any means necessary. However, do we sympathise with him slightly given their tragic past? Absolutely.
Furthermore, you can visibly spot the suffocating dread etched across Jenna, played masterfully by Maxine Peake as a top-tier actress. However, the absolute star of the show is young debutant Chloe Jean Lourdes, who delivers a phenomenal turn as Sarah. Her innocent vulnerability, raw emotion, and bubbling tension make her overall performance truly outstanding. Undoubtedly, little miss has got a very bright future ahead of her.
Production
Behind the lens, this project marks the very first Australian original for Apple TV. Happily, the crew genuinely captures the breathtaking beauty and immense vastness of the Australian landscape. Visually, stark cinematography enhances the suffocating atmosphere. Meanwhile, an atmospheric musical soundtrack amplifies the dread at every single turn.
Review
Diving deeper into the narrative, what we witness here is exceptional character development. You have Donald and Henry, who emerge from a tough, religious, cult-like family background. Alongside them, Ian struggles as a recovering alcoholic, while Sarah has been brutally locked away from the outside world. Admittedly, there are several loose threads left completely unanswered by the final credits. Fortunately, these are never frustrating plots that cheapen the experience or demand extra seasons. Ultimately, this tight thriller is short, sweet, and deeply satisfying. Therefore, it comes very much recommended.
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