We Were Liars, the new Prime Video series based on E. Lockhart’s bestselling young adult novel, is one of the most emotionally gripping shows to debut this year. What begins as an elegant summer story slowly unravels into a haunting mystery that lingers long after the credits roll. For teen viewers looking for more than just decent level drama, this eight-episode series offers a surprising depth–and a final twist that will keep you thinking for weeks.
The story follows Cadence Sinclair Eastman, a teenage girl from a privileged family that owns a private island off the coast of Massachusetts. Each summer, she returns to the island to reunite with her cousins Johnny and Mirren, and their friend Gat. Together, they form a close-knit group known as “the Liars.” At first, everything feels idyllic (peaceful calm)–bonfires on the beach, whispered secrets, and quiet moments of teenage romance. But as the story progresses, it becomes clear that something is very wrong.
Cadence is suffering with memory loss, and no one will tell her exactly what happened during the summer she got hurt (summer 16). The deeper she digs into her past, the more fractured her reality becomes. Flashbacks and emotional gaps create an interesting effect that makes viewers want to pay close attention. The show does an excellent job of capturing Cadence’s confusion, grief and desperation, pulling the audience into her perspective without ever being forced or dramatic.
The performances are strong and they really picture a perfect side of the stories of all the characters. The woman playing Cadence (Emily Alyn Lind) was perfect for this role, she knows how to use her strength and her voice. She makes good choices in her way of acting. She made a big impact with her emotions. They picked out the cast incredibly well. Almost all of the lead actors looked emotionally attached to their role and they made it look very realistic. There was a switch between two summers through the episodes, summer 16 and summer 17. They changed almost everything during both summers and it looked really natural with a good contrast.
Without giving too much away, the final episode is a twist that isn’t just shocking, but meaningful, adding emotional weight to the entire story. `it also raises thoughtful questions about privilege, family loyalty and the consequences of silence.
We Were Liars is a standout teen drama that treats its audience with intelligence and respect. It’s not just entertaining–it’s haunting, emotional , and beautifully crafted. Whether you read the book or not, this whole adventure is well worth watching.
