Fool Me Once is a 2024 Netflix series starring Michelle Keegan, Adeel Akhtar, and Joanna Lumley. Based on the novel of the same name by Harlen Coben, it gained 37.1 million views in 6 days from January 1–6 and was the most-watched title of the first week of 2024 in 91 countries.
What captured my eye when I scrolled on Netflix, was the title which reminds me of a lyric from my favorite song Vendetta by UNSECRET & Krigare.
Fool me once and it’s shame on me
But you know you better tread carefully
The story revolves around a former special ops pilot whose recently dead husband appears on the nanny cam. Upon investigating, she uncovers a shocking conspiracy that circles her dead sister and the dark secrets of the family she married in.
The storytelling is gripping from the start. It has everything that won’t let the viewers get bored from the starting frame till the very end. For the first 2–3 episodes, it’s a mind-tangling ride that would create the factor of mystery marvelously. Then from episodes 4–6, a clear picture unravels the conspiracy. The last 2 sums the story as the conspirators get a taste of their medicine.
Maya Stern, played by Michelle Keegan has all the strength and confidence one can expect from an army op. The way she asserts herself is a trait I love the most. The scenes where Maya is spitting Judith’s crimes on her face are outstanding ones for me because one can be scared of Judith considering the power of Burkett’s pharmaceutical empire. Maya is strong but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have weak points. The paranoia of her past constantly hits her as a special ops pilot, which is why she is not with the special ops. Keegan played Maya with such a mastery that it’s hard to imagine any other actress playing Maya Stern.
The Burkett isn’t just a normal elite family; the show portrayed them as a modern royal family and Judith as its matriarch. The acting of Joanna Lumley does the justice it needs to be done as a matriarch of the Burkett family. Being a despotic character, it doesn’t overshadow Michelle Keegan’s character.
The subplot paves the way for the story of Detective Sami Kierce, played by Adeel Akhtar, is a point that saves the story from going too dark thanks to Sami’s dry sense of humor and from centering on only Maya and her inner state, as it’s the pivot point of the story. Sami is not limited to a detective; the show sheds light on his struggles and declining health with the fear of obvious suspension upon unveiling his health condition to his seniors. The sincerity of Sami in the investigation of Joe Burkett’s murder while dealing with a hazardous health condition and his pregnant wife-to-be is commendable. Adeel Akhtar nails every bit of Sami.
The simultaneous run of Maya’s investigation into the nanny cam issue and the hidden conspiracy with Sami Kierce’s personal life and declining health is amazing. These elements make it plausible instead of what happened with Hard Broken where obsessive attention was paid to the main character’s story with no pivot point.
Last but not the least is the overall aesthetics of the series. The cinematography, the grading, and the background score which immerses one in the show are phenomenal. It meshes with the story and the tone of the show. The selection of the theme song for Fool Me Once is noteworthy too. Inside by Chris Avantgarde & Red Rosamond is used as the intro track which invokes goosebumps and matches the show’s theme.
Final verdict: It’s a must-watch series. If you are the one who craves good quality thriller with compelling storytelling and execution, you will enjoy every bit of it.
