The Last Thing He Told Me (TV Series 2023– ) Poster

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6/10
Jennifer Garner is awful in this
Dillydaydream12 May 2023
I enjoyed the first few episodes but sadly it's gone downhill since.

I have always thought Jennifer Garner was a good actress but not in this drama. She actually gets worse in each episode and in today's (episode 6) she seemed to sleepwalk through it with her eyes half closed. I find it impossible to feel any sympathy for the dilemma she and Bailey find themselves in as they are both unlikeable and after six episodes there is little sign of their relationship improving.

Hanna thinks she knows better then anyone else and spends a lot of time bossing people about - like her best friend without considering she may be leading them into danger.

Someone described it elsewhere as dry and dull- I agree.
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6/10
Left me wanting something more
jewellz4819 May 2023
This wasn't terrible, but kind of dull and mediocre. It started off with an interesting premise, but then became increasingly boring and illogical. Most of the series could have been avoided with some skilled use of Google. Instead, the "mystery" is drawn out with awkward avoidance of technology and inexplicable character choices. It somehow managed to feel too long, but also too shallow. I think there was a good story there, but it was buried in an attempt to be a plot-driven thriller, rather than a character-centered drama. Also, Jennifer Garner is a beautiful woman, but her lack of ability to move her forehead and obviously fake eyelashes were really distracting. It's unfortunate that Hollywood puts such enormous pressure on actresses to look forever young, at the cost of looking natural and interesting.

Not the worst thing to watch, by any means, but not especially memorable.
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7/10
It's funny so see the reviews after two episodes.
balljust15 April 2023
When I first saw the project announcement - I wondered how long the episodes will be. The books are pretty short - 320 pages to make 4H, it seemed a bit off. It seemed they would have to stretch some plots, and it was apparent. And it's really funny to read all the reviews about Bailey - her actions right now prove to be crucial to the book, the entire premise of the book was that Hannah and Bailey, through Owen's disappearances, work their differences together, and build this engaging relationship. To not spoil anything much - the reason why Bailey is acting as such - it's for a reason. A reason that is important in the plot. There are more things I expect to see in the remaining episodes - especially after EP 2. (Don't want to spoil anything) I can't wait for how they portray the ending.
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7/10
Slow burn suspense.
Moonstreams23 April 2023
I'm sure Jennifer Garner is why most of us tuned into this series. She's always a joy to watch. It's not the first time she's carried most of a movie herself. Her character reacted to most situations as a typical wife and step-mom could have reacted. The setting throughout was really beautiful -mostly California. Strangely, I kept having "deja vu" moments where I was reminded of past fictional disappearing husbands. Lifetime probably has a month of them. The teenage step-daughter was belligerent and sassy - and not in a cute way. This quickly grew very annoying but eventually she grew out of it. The rest of the cast - hubby; police; friends; and bad guys; were all good. The story did crawl along, though. The pace was really too slow to maintain suspense. The story possibly could have been told in one of two fewer episodes. Jennifer Garner fans will be okay with it.
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6/10
If it wasn't for the horrendously rude stepdaughter...
claudi250923 April 2023
I think this would have been much more pleasant to watch if the step daughter was not so disgustingly rude. How any parent can have their child speak to adults in that kind of way is beyond me. Do we have to endure this type of behaviour in reality and on screen? What on earth for... Wish Garner wouldn't be such a doormat and would have not accepted this rude girl talking to her like that. And especially the husband not punishing his daughter for her rude behaviour towards his wife. Tired of spoilt unruly youngsters... But the story is interesting and I am looking forward to finding out what happened.
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slow paced thriller...
JohnJohnRomualdez15 April 2023
...too slow for me.

The build-up is not bad, but the relationship between Garner and her stepdaughter is ridiculously bad. The first episode stretched like a piece of chewing gum. Endless talks And why do all TV teenagers act so incredibly bad-tempered? I guess it's one of those things.

Too bad for Jennifer Garner, who is a great actress and wastes her talent here. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is way to underated here. I wonder where the chemistry between Garner and him is, if there has ever been one.

The second episode beginns even slower. The realtionship between wife and stepdaughter hasn't change after what they have been through. Sorry, abother dud from Apple.
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6/10
Main character is a vibrating phone
shanon-saunders12 September 2023
Show was a decent watch but too slow for a mediocre payoff. It felt like it was just getting good! It was probably a much better book. I can't believe how often someone's phone was vibrating in this show. If you make that a drinking game you'd be hammered. Past that, the daughter was insufferably annoying for most of the show which made it very difficult to root for her. 75% of the show is wanting answers and once you get them they gloss over it like they were in a hurry to finish. I understand the ending but it was very unsatisfying and I wanted so much more story. Save your time and watch almost ANY of the other Apple TV shows.
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6/10
Well Directed and Acted, but Sloppy, Lazy Writing
info-907017 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This could be co much better if they had not taken so long to get to the "surprise plot element" finally, and episode 5, that most of us had figured out by episode 2. That just makes most of their actions ridiculous and nonsensical. And it does not do justice to the show, actors, sets, editing and other things that work well. It is lazy writing that they are leaning on and that's too bad.

Additionally, the daughter Bailey, is just too absurdly resistant, bratty and obnoxious to care about, and that is a shame. They gave her zero redeeming qualities, which really makes you want to have Jennifer Garner's character tear up that piece of paper that says "protect her" and tell that kid she is on her own, and be done!

I hope they get better writers who actually know how to create a suspense worthy series without cheap, childish tricks and delays.
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9/10
Watch first then read reviews
SaraKH7774 May 2023
I don't know and understand anymore what people (including critics) expect from shows and movies these days. Mistakenly, I read all the reviews of "boring & shallow" first, and almost skipped watching. When I actually started watching (currently at ep 4), I thought the reviews must have been written for something else. I am definitely not bored, it might be a slow burn but it's interesting, different, and to me, captivating. Jennifer Garner is totally amazing.

I didn't read the book (but I will now) - so my perception might be different- however, even then I don't imagine I'd give it one or three stars. It seems that people are so quick to condemn almost everything nowadays.
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7/10
exceptional
jlastra30 January 2024
I'll admit the reviews I read prior to watching were not very compelling.

Sometimes, I think we all put those aside when one of your favorite actors is billed, such is the case with Jennifer Gardner.

This is a slow building drama, if you can hang in until the end, you've be rewarded.

A great story, a great cast and some compelling performances.

Jennifer once again favors this show with a signature performance and is ideal of this role. She is very believable and brings the nuance to the role, this character deserves.

The role of Bailey is somewhat polarizing, especially at the beginning. As the story continues, you'll begin to warm to her.
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3/10
The script resembles a Hallmark movie
SuzLovesMovies22 April 2023
Who allowed these lines? Jennifer Garner is too good to be working with these actors. There are decent moments but her character is so weak. The story line is weak, the acting non-believable. I was really looking forward to it. I'll give it a couple more episodes but not too hopeful...

The plot doesn't make sense when you think about the situation the women are in (stepdaughter included). Any educated person would not do the things they do/don't do. I have been trying to give them a chance... maybe I will keep an open mind because I like Jennifer Garner but the script and acting are sometimes too painful...
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9/10
Really good thriller
sharppatrick-165056 May 2023
I'm a little surprised about the low ratings of this show. I guess it can be a tad slow at times, but overall I think it's a great show. The mystery is very good, and the acting is fantastic. People complaining about the teenage girl whining to much...um, have you never met a teenage girl? They are moody and can be rude, so not sure why people are shocked by this. My friends are I were discussing the first 4 episodes, and none of can figure out what exactly happened with the father/husband, and are excited to see where this thrilling mystery takes us. I will say the first episode started out slow, but finished with a fantastic cliffhanger!!!
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6/10
Tedious and Disjointed
zacharydepaolo11 June 2023
The show started off strong and intriguing, but overall it falls quite flat. Overall the acting is mediocre at best. I was looking forward to the episodes release each week until week until about episode 5 maybe. It's generally the same thing happening week to week with no real payouts at the end of it! Jennifer Garner carried the show the best she could, but her alone can't fix poor writing and direction. It's just a bit boring and formulaic for my tastes. I had high hopes for this one, but I should have stayed true to my system of keeping my expectations low so I'm not disappointed. I wanted to like it, I really did.
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4/10
Irritating
traceytak21 April 2023
I accept that I only have three episodes to base my review on but I found that I'm becoming increasingly irritated with the teenager and her brat persona. The two main stars in this series are actors I enjoy watching usually but Jennifer Garners character seems clueless in how to have a relationship with a teenager and even if they learn to come together I can't see why I would think it's an enjoyable journey to watch. The plot seems disjointed and I'm asking myself 'who would keep a bag of money under a bed?'. One minute Garner is hiding her phone calls from the daughter and not telling her anything, the next she is spilling the beans, the next she's being secretive again and so on. There is just no flow. This is the sort of series that does not benefit from being released one episode at a time as I can imagine many viewers will switch off from it. If I never got to see episode 4 it wouldn't be a problem. I've given it a 4/10 rating after 3 episodes and if I do watch the rest and find it was worthwhile I will come back and raise it.
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6/10
A forgettable thriller. 6/10
shl-536736 August 2023
The show follows Hannah and her stepdaughter Bailey as they are searching for her husband that has suddenly disappeared.

It's not that the show was bad, but it wasn't particularly memorable. The first 3 episodes are slow and kind of boring. The stepdaughter is on another level of mean, and Hannah has no idea how to manage this teenage girl. Then we have two episodes that are good, and the last ones that were such disappointing reveals. I suppose that I came out of it thinking "that's it?! Really?"

I finished this show two or three weeks ago (I'm late in my review posting), and i already don't fully remember the twist... i don't know if it was the story, as the book is quite successful, but the show was missing something for me. Perhaps a show format was a mistake in this case. It dragged on the story for too long, and there was a lack of displaying details. I understand the difficult task of wanting to adapt a book into an audiovisual format, and to want as many elements of the books as possible, but that's the thing about adaptations. They are made to adapt and change the story to fit the different medium. I think this show could have been a movie, and it probably would have been a better adaptation, as we didn't need that much filler to tell this story. As for the acting, it was good actors, but no outstanding performance.

If you like an afternoon slow thriller that you don't fully need to pay attention to, sure watch it. But there are so many other shows out there that are worth more your time than this. But you won't get anything more than an okay experience watching this. I usually love Apple TV shows, but this one was a bit of a let down.
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6/10
A mediocre thriller
DarthWalker-3438123 April 2023
"The Last Thing He Told Me" is a limited series based on the novel of the same name by Laura Dave. It follows the disappearance of a woman's husband and the cryptic note he left behind for her to "protect her". The show has a well-balanced pacing with mildly suspenseful moments and quieter scenes that add enough interest in the central characters to be watchable.

The writing isn't abhorrent by any means. I found it to be easily digestible. And, the acting is actually pretty decent, with Jennifer Garner delivering a satisfactory performance as the lead character, Hannah. However, the chemistry between her and her on-screen daughter is not particularly memorable, and the supporting cast doesn't leave a lasting impression.

One of the redeeming qualities of the show is its visuals, which feature beautiful Northern California landscapes. However, the score is forgettable and doesn't add much to the overall experience.

Overall, "The Last Thing He Told Me" is a mediocre thriller that doesn't quite live up to its hype. While it has some decent writing, acting, and memorable visuals, the thrills and character development fall short. It may be worth a try for those looking for an easy-to-watch thriller, but it won't leave a lasting impression.
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7/10
Not the First Time I've Seen This
kenhobbs17 April 2023
Well lit, well shot, well directed. A bit slow though. The thing is, I'm absolutely convinced I've seen another production of this story. Hope someone finds a way to convince me I'm not crazy. I enjoyed the locations and the story holds up well, the problem is it feels like one of those productions that could be produced easily as a movie. It's just seems that there is more money these days in taking a 1.5 hour concept and stuffing it into an eight hour bag. I really don't believe, especially since I am convinced that I've seen a production of this story elsewhere, that it can hold my attention.
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7/10
The Tension Keeps Building
donmccandless-8632029 April 2023
After four episodes, the plot keeps thickening, the tension is building, and I've got a general idea as to what set everything in motion. I don't need anything more than that to hold my interest, but there is more to this limited series.

I find it odd that so many of the negative reviews center on a teenager whose cloistered existence is suddenly disrupted by the adult world she can't comprehend. She's a kid acting like kids do, so I don't see the problem.

Garner is at her usual best, as this tale is right in her wheelhouse. She is versatile, but dramatic action is where she shines the most.

With all the superhero junk that's being forced on the public along with the depressing message 'dramas' I'm always on the lookout for good storytelling. That means relatable characters, not capes and car chases.
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9/10
An Excellent Return for Jennifer Garner
dgrant-7644617 April 2023
This is a mystery, about a woman desperately trying to figure out why her loving husband disappeared, while looking after her angry teen step-daughter. So you aren't going to have explosions and gun fights every other minute. Keeping that in mind, the pace is well timed and the wife's confusion and distress is realistic. The main characters are talented actors and the writing is solid. My husband and I both thoroughly enjoyed the first two episodes, so rest assured this is not a "chick flick". It's great to see Jennifer Garner back in a dramatic role that's bound to have exciting twists and danger.
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6/10
We all Know
LivingWithBigDogs5 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Once the US Marshal was on scene, it was obvious what the background was on her husband. It was dragged out too long.

I tuned in for Jennifer G. And kept watching but wonder why I keep watching. Maybe to prove an attorney, a journalist , and the main character are the 3 existing adult Americans that don't think hiding from organized crime when a US Marshal arrives.

The teenage step daughter is holding an unrealistic and unrelenting grudge. Sure teenagers can be challenging but it's a bit ridiculous for how nice the step mom Hannah is to that it makes no sense. It's taken a bit far.

I started watching it so will finish it but I don't recommend starting it.
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5/10
Slow and Boring
nunocharles7523 April 2023
I can deal with a show that's a slow burn, but the step daughter is so over-the-top annoying and horrible that the story isn't enough to keep me interested. Turned it off during episode 3. The daughter was terrible and Jennifer Garner was so weak that I couldn't hang.

Am I missing out on a great show? Possibly. But the writers probably should have done a better job making her less "extra" so viewers weren't turned off.

Other than that, the acting is decent. There aren't a lot of scenes to stretch anyone's acting chops. Feel free to watch at your own risk. Maybe you'll have a better experience than I did.
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9/10
Why All The Low Ratings?
heykateforever7 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I am seriously confused over all the low ratings for The Last Thing He Told Me offered by Apple TV as a limited series. I loved this show. I never even heard of the book before watching. But even I picked up about halfway through the series that this show was not about the love story between Owen Mitchell and Hannah Hall. It was about the love story between Hannah and Owen's daughter, Bailey. And so much hate toward Jennifer Garner's performance? I watch a LOT of movies and TV shows because I am severely handicapped and luckily, I am an avid reader as well as a movie and TV show lover.

I thought Jennifer Garner was excellent in this show. I know most of you will downrate me for this, but I watched it all the way through TWICE to see what I missed that the rest of you saw! Did many of you who wrote scathing reviews and downrated the show even get past episode 3? When I pulled my husband to watch it with me the second time, I warned him the first few episodes were slow but that it picks up fast after that! So, if you were bored by the third episode, then came in here and rated this show, I am sure the ratings system in IMDb failed this gem.

I had to tell my husband several times early on to stick with it. And he did, for me. At the end, I asked him what he thought. He said, and I quote, "You were right! I'm glad you made me watch it all the way through. It was very good!" We are so quick in today's society to judge anything that doesn't catch our eye like a sparkling jewel in the first half hour of a show! But in my many years watching more movies and shows than most people, I have learned an important lesson. WAIT! Watch at LEAST 5 shows. Watch at least 30 minutes of a movie before turning it off. Especially if you are going to come in here and leave your mark on that show or movie!

This was NOT MEANT to be a love story between Owen and Hannah. It was meant to be a love story between Hannah and a spirited, disrespectful daughter of a lover who abandons both of them. He IS part of the love story as he knew his spiteful, evil father of his daughter, Bailey's mother was eventually going to come after his grand daughter because Owen's wife, Bailey's mother, was killed in an auto accident and the grandfather ended up in jail because he is a felon who made a lot of money in nefarious ways. Evidently Nicholas, the grandfather, is also a powerful figure who, above all, cherishes family. He would do ANYTHING to get Bailey back. So, Owen disappears and leaves his daughter with Hannah whom he has come to trust implicitly in their short relationship to make the right choices for Bailey.

Hannah makes a decision that the Marshall's office vehemently disagrees with, wanting to put her into Witness Protection. She basically makes a deal with the devil because she is betting Bailey will be safer with her grandfather in her life, than going into hiding spending their lives running from this man. The last scene takes place 5 years after that decision is made and we find Bailey is happy and well adjusted and calls Hannah, Mom. For her part, Hannah gets validation in the last 5 minutes of the show that she made the right decision for Bailey!

If you were in a hurry, you would have missed many nuanced parts of this story! This was a lovely story, well acted despite what many people are writing here, and we'll done! Kudos to Ms. Garner's troubled and frightening portrayal of a woman put into an agonizing position! I loved this show. I encourage you to skip past the negative reviews and watch this show without interruptions all the way to the end. For once, it wasn't a waste of my time. A rare occurrence these days! I highly recommend you watch this show. It reminded me a little bit of Where the Crawdads Sing, a nuanced movie that has notes of betrayal all over it. Give this one a chance!

It wasn't perfect, so 9 and a half stars rated down because it was good enough for a 9 rating, but just short of a 10 rating. Still, excellent compared to most of the junk being offered as entertainment today!
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7/10
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS
greenempire24 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I love a fake identity plot. Maybe it's all the spy shows I've been watching in quarantine, maybe it's my longtime fondness for scam stories, but hand me a book about someone who's stolen a dead person's social security number and I'll blister through those pages like the FBI is chasing me.

Sure enough, I devoured The Last Thing He Told Me, a gripping thriller about a newlywed who discovers her husband's entire identity is a lie. Owen Michaels is about to be arrested for securities fraud when he vanishes, leaving his new wife Hannah in charge of his teenage daughter, Bailey. When Hannah tries to track him down, she learns that "Owen Michaels" has never existed. She's been married to the guy a whole year, and she doesn't even know his real name.

Spousal betrayal is a common theme in thrillers, to say the least, but what makes this book stand out in a crowded field is the relationship between Hannah and Bailey. I loved watching their awkward rapport evolve into a genuine bond as Hannah goes to ever greater lengths to protect her stepdaughter from Owen's dark past. This is a novel about lying husbands and fake identities, but it's also a moving testimony to the power of chosen family. If you're looking for a fast-paced, twisty thriller that packs an emotional punch, this is the movie series for you.
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3/10
Slow and Irritating
tomtpcarpe1 May 2023
What is the deal with so many recent shows featuring a whiny, self-absorbed teenaged girl? In The Last Thing He Told Me she absolutely ruins the show for me. I have been a Jennifer Garner fan for years. She must have been paid big bucks to act in this turkey, because even her talent and beauty can't rescue this one. Her character is, in turn, likable and perplexing in her stupidity. And the plot jumps around so often that it is very easy to forget what's going on and lose interest. Slow hardly describes the pace. We've come to expect more from Apple TV. I'm up to date on viewing the dropped episodes, but one more like the ones I've watched so far will drive me away.
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6/10
It wasn't bad but not great
lakings9723 September 2023
The Last Thing He Told Me is an AppleTV+ limited series that stars Jennifer Garner who is married to Nikolai Coster-Waldau. One day he disappears and she is left tending with her stepdaughter who is played by Angourie Rice. Aisha Tyler helps Jennifer to try to find the true identity of her husband. In the meantime, they are followed by the mafia headed byDavid Morse, the FBI and US Marshall's. The series is based on the novel by the same name written by Laura Dave. The storyline was dull at the beginning but it got interesting by the end. It was an okay show nothing great, and it definitely was not Garner's best performance. I would not watch this again, one and done.
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