We Were Liars Review: A Moody Teen Drama That Misses the Mark
Amazon Prime’s adaptation of E. Lockhart’s bestseller novel is streaming now on Prime Video UK. The original book, We Were Liars, was a massive hit when it was released in 2014. It captured the hearts of young readers with its mix of romance, mystery, and psychological drama. More recently, the novel found new popularity thanks to TikTok, where fans praised its heartbreaking twist and intense love story. With such a strong fan base, turning it into a TV series seemed like a smart move.
However, the screen version doesn’t quite live up to the hype. While the show is beautifully shot and packed with dramatic moments, it often feels like it’s trying too hard. Amazon Prime’s adaptation of E. Lockhart’s bestseller tries to be deep and emotional, but forgets to be fun. The story is serious from start to finish, with little room for charm, humor, or light-hearted moments that could make it more enjoyable, especially for a teen drama.
This version of We Were Liars turns what could’ve been an exciting mystery into a slow and heavy series that struggles to balance emotion with entertainment.
Stream We Were Liars on Prime Video UK.
A TikTok Favorite That Falls Flat on Screen
The story follows Cadence Sinclair, a teenage girl from a wealthy and powerful family. After a terrible accident, she is left with memory loss and emotional trauma. Her family knows the truth about what happened, but refuses to tell her. The mystery unfolds on a private island near Martha’s Vineyard, where the Sinclairs spend their summers.
It’s a setup that promises suspense and drama, a rich family with secrets, a mysterious accident, and a dark past. But instead of pulling viewers in with tension and twists, the show leans heavily into sadness, slow pacing, and poetic dialogue.
Teen Drama Without the Fun
There’s a scene where a character dances in just his underwear to the classic song “Old Time Rock’n’Roll.” It’s clearly a tribute to Tom Cruise in Risky Business, but it doesn’t land. Instead of bringing some lightness or humor to the story, it feels completely out of place, almost like it came from another show.
It’s a clear reminder that teen dramas from the 1980s used to blend emotional storytelling with fun and personality. Films like The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and Footloose made audiences care, but also made them laugh. We Were Liars, by contrast, seems afraid to crack a smile.
Cringe-Worthy Writing and Overdone Dialogue
Characters are introduced through dramatic voiceovers, filled with poetic lines that feel unnatural. Cadence says things like, “I was once strength and promise and spun gold.” Other characters are described as “sugar and curiosity” or “fireflies and old books.” Instead of feeling deep, these lines come off as forced and even a little cringe-worthy.
The writing tries to be lyrical, but ends up distracting from the story. It’s hard to take the mystery seriously when the characters talk like they’re reciting poetry.
A Pretty Show with Not Much Beneath the Surface
If there’s one thing the show does right, it’s the visuals. The scenes are stunning, with soft lighting, stylish outfits, and magazine-worthy backdrops. The Sinclair family wears coordinated colors in every scene, usually soft ocean blues, whites, and neutrals. They host “lemon hunts,” take picture-perfect family photos, and live in homes that look like luxury ads.
But beautiful visuals can only do so much. Without strong characters or meaningful moments, the show starts to feel empty.
Too Many Characters, Not Enough Depth
The Sinclair family is large and complicated. There’s the powerful grandfather, Harris Sinclair (played by David Morse), and his three grown daughters, each with their own problems, one’s going through a “divorce cleanse,” another is overcoming addiction, and one is dating the island’s boathand, Salty Dan.
With so many sun-kissed, blonde characters, it’s hard to tell them apart at first. Only Mamie Gummer stands out, possibly because she’s the daughter of Meryl Streep and brings some real presence to her role.
The Love Story at the Center Falls a Bit Short
At the heart of the story is Cadence’s romance with Gat Patil, played by Shubham Maheshwari. He’s been visiting the island since he was a child, and their connection is deep and emotional. Their relationship is the kind of love story that many young viewers dream about, intense, tragic, and full of longing.
But even this love story lacks warmth. Gat’s full name is “Gatwick,” but the show doesn’t even include a simple joke about it, a missed chance to lighten the mood. Like the rest of the series, the romance takes itself very seriously.
We Were Liars is a beautiful-looking series, but it’s too serious for its own good. While the book was loved for its emotional impact and surprise ending, the show focuses so much on sadness and style that it forgets to be enjoyable. Fans of the book might still appreciate the adaptation, but viewers hoping for a fun, heartfelt teen drama may walk away disappointed.
If you’re missing the charm and balance of old-school teen stories, this version of We Were Liars might not be what you’re looking for.