User reviews

I have watched the first 4 episodes so far. I agree with every single review here. So why are they so polarized?

Yes the cinematography is stunning. Yes the scenery is breathtaking. Yes the acting is wonderful and yes the plot is edge of your seat twisty...

But it is also over the top, makes me want to gag, long drawn out scenes that verge on, "where is the fast forward button" and outright confusion at times.

I think it has potential and may just need time to find its sweet spot. As a mini series it may not ever find it.

The bottom line is that it clearly is not for everyone. If you like artsy, mysterious, movies, you will probably love this. And if you prefer a more direct, fast paced, drama you probably won't.

Hope this helps.

It's so hard to rate this, because it's one of the most intense and creative shows I've ever seen. There are some aspects that are really well done, and the cinematic effects (filters/lighting) carry a lot of the weight and accentuate Sam's experiences. Sometimes, though, it's a little overdone, much like my 14 year old self on Instagram with all the effects. And then there's the plot. Again, incredibly creative and intense, but any sort of character motivation is sacrificed to serve plot twist upon plot twist upon plot twist. It makes little sense at the end. The only character whose motivation I can follow somewhat clearly is Sam's, and there are many things in the first episode that should have been answered or referenced in the following parts of the series. Maybe they will be in the coming 'second half'. I really hope the 'Winter' segment is easier to follow, because every single character changing allegiances approximately 4 times per episode is making ME feel like I took LSD at a Celtic festival.

Some people seem to appreciate style over substance according to a lot of reviews. Only second episode in, I've never seen such abnormal, unnatural behaviour in a main character. It doesn't make sense how Jude Law's character reacts to his situation. There is a stellar cast, Jude Law is great, there is oodles of intrigue to keep you hooked. The cinematography is amazing but hopefully it will improve in the story. 4th episode in and Naomie Harris (who I'm not a fan of) is another character introduced whose character reaches higher levels of abnormal behaviour than what Jude Law did. This episode is home literally the most nonsensical, mystifying, stupid writing I have ever seen in what should be a well produced show.

I've now watched the first three episodes and want to react before watching the next three. I must say it was very, very strange but very, very alluring viewing. Jude Law was absolutely magnificent, as in fact he always is but here he was just so good. Peculiar camera shots, reality lapses and all sorts of funny things but for Jude Law's performance alone I really enjoyed it. Still not sure about the "meaning" but am not worried about that too much! The next day! So now I've watched the next three episodes and my judgement remains. I can really understand why some people don't appreciate this. We all have really different tastes. But i found it compelling to use a word I don't normally use! In parts so exciting that I had to pause and do something else for a few minutes before continuing. The ending was a little disappointing but I don't know how else it could have ended really. The reality that was created was very gripping and as usual I managed to work in an allegory to some things in our real world! Don't watch if all you want is a straight forward horror movie though!

Troubled Sam (Jude Law) sees a girl hanging herself. He rescues her and she directs him to her home, Osea Island with a causeway connected to the mainland only at low tide. The Martins (Paddy Considine, Emily Watson) run the tavern. Sam is thrown together with Jess (Katherine Waterston) and the island becomes more inescapable. The surrealism culminates in craziness at the end of episode 3. In episode four, new protagonist Helen (Naomie Harris) arrives on the island with daughters Ellie and Talulah.

This mini-series has mix of Midsommar and Get Out. Its problems may lie in its structure. The first three episodes is the Midsommar. It's interesting but episodes 2 and 3 surrealism gets repetitive. It's an 90 minutes movie stretched into a 3 hours TV show. The fourth episode comes in with a new freshness that hints at Get Out. The other structural issue is that almost all the exposition happens in the last episode. It may be meant as a reveal but some of the information needs to be presented earlier in the show. Quite frankly, it's not until the 'making of' section that I finally understand this community. The structure forces the audience to stumble in the dark for too long. The splitting of the show could work but the first part needs to be condensed. I like the first episode and I love the fourth episode. The second half is good but that may be due to finally getting answers. There are no easy fixes here and the structure is interesting in some respects but the problems it creates are problematic.

I understand the mixed reviews as this show is extremely unconventional, but it's a shame because of the sheer technical brilliance at work. The cinematography is wonderfully unique, the score is beautiful, and the actors delivered top-notch performances across the board.

The story isn't for everyone. It's probably too freaky for a lot of folks, but if you can manage it, I found it to be incredibly rewarding. There's mystery, horror, weird Celtic rituals, and a gang of characters who are completely gaslighting the viewer about what's really going on. After a series of twists and turns, it all makes sense and, in my opinion, reaches a satisfying conclusion. Ultimately, it's a story about grief, responsibility, and alienation on a small island off the coast of England, where nothing is as it seems.

If I could compare it to anything, I would say it's sort of like an A24 movie (think Ari Aster or Robert Eggers) except it's on a significantly higher dosage. You'll either love it or you'll hate it, but I hope you'll at least give it a try.

Starts off pretty good. Great to see a UK show without the usual BBC box ticking and overly PC'd. However I felt it didn't quite go far enough in weirdness. It's almost split into 2 three episode sections. I'd suggest just watch the first 3 and call it quits. The fourth episode is ok but from there it gets annoying, the new lead actress does some really dumb things a mother just wouldn't do and from there it leads up to a really stupid ending. A decent ending might have seen it get a 7.5 or even 8 from me.

Completely unbelievable main character whose decision making is cartoon like. Photography is great. Plot is awful.

TIFF 2020 05

The Third Day

Having watched only two episodes of this 6 episode miniseries as part of the festival, I'd say this series is interesting to say the least. It has a top quality cast from some of the best British actors/actresses involved, it's greatly atmospheric and gothic which I really liked and the story seems engaging enough for 6 hours. Also this series is kind of special because a theatrical live episode is going to drop and broadcasted in about a month so I'm really excited to see how this project will shape out.

Great actors ,great location even great filming but sadly rubbish story....

Absolutely loving this twisting, gripping, theatrical drama with a strong Midsommar/Wickerman vibe. Some terrific performances, notably from Jude Law, Paddy Considine and Nico Parker. This atmospheric series gripped me from the get go and never failed to intrigue. As ever with Dennis Kelly's incredible writing, the audience have to do some thinking for themselves so this will never appeal to those who like their drama basic. Ignore the bad reviews and give it a go.

Saw bits of the first episode on gogglebox and was instantly drawn in. The girl hanging herself in the woods, Jude law, I was really intrigued.

First ep was great, everything is very strange and you're wondering what's coming next however I feel as if it is too slow thereafter and when we get introduced into his wife in ep 3 she makes so many bad decisions and the story gets really diluted. I feel like it tries too hard to be eerily weird and cult like and it's gets a tad boring.

Sort of content with the ending but not blown away.

If that is what you're into then this show is for you. Most of us aren't interested in plot inconsistencies and baffling characters meandering through a mysterious town. Color scheme is off putting but different so that maybe a plus for some people.

Jude Law is the only reason I watched and continued to grind until episode 3, and couldn't make it all the way through. Just annoying decisions by him and enough with the closeups already. Is showing his face full screen somehow going to make me sympathize with him? Create terror and tension? Multiple times each episode?

The overall rating (currently 6.4) doesn't reflect this. Fact is, you will either love this or hate it, which means the average rating will be mediocre. Personally I loved this show. Atmospheric and suspenseful, incredible acting and nice and dark. So many unanswered questions, enabling you to ponder long after the credits have rolled.

I like the idea, always keen for a Wicker Man type story. Some nice visuals but I gotta say the writing could have been worked a whole lot better. Sometimes it's frustrating. What type of mother persistently ignores the locals warnings to get off the island, and still tries convincing her daughters that it's gonna be "fun" to stay here? I had no sympathy for that family. And that American woman did my head in.

That being said - everyone involved, the cast and crew, did an excellent job with the last episode. For that I give it 7 stars.

I was unsure whether to keep watching but every week I did tune in. After the full 6 episodes I can now honestly say I wish I hadn't bothered. I just don't feel like the ending showed me the reason for wasting 6 hours of my time tuning in each week. It was just one acid trip after another. The ending perhaps wasn't meant to be the end of it all? But if there is another series I definitely won't bother watching it. It's a shame because the acting was great and I wanted to like it!

I can't believe people are slagging this one off. It's intense and compelling and the fact that the main characters make bizarre, unlikely choices is part its appeal. It hints that the main protagonists are either not in their right frame of mind or are existing and moving through realms outside of the temporal world. The acting is superb and the essence of mystery the whole package delivers is riveting. Many reviewers on here have suggested it has a Wicker Man vibe which is true but this seems to go deeper into the human psyche and is less inevitable in its direction. I wish I'd have waited to binge watch all episodes on a rainy Sunday afternoon with a big mug of tea and no interruptions This is definitely one I'll keep to watch again

My Review- The Third Day. My rating 6/10 HBO on Foxtel

This 6 part series had some very good performances to enjoy especially Naomi Harris as Helen a mother who travels to a mysterious island with her 2 daughters and Jude Law as Sam a father mourning the murder of his son . Both main characters travel to the island that's cut off each day by water covering the causeway that isolated it from the mainland. The inhabitants of Osea island are to put it mildly all touched with the looney obsessive behaviour that seems so prevalent in Religious cults and I'm sure many of them have married their first cousins or closer relatives. For me it was the performances I enjoyed especially Emily Watson in an unusual supporting role as Mrs Martin the rough potty mouthed wife of Mr Martin the local inn owner . Another impressive performance from Katherine Waterson as the mysterious Jess who holds the key to the future of life on Osea Island. Partly filmed on Osea Island, Essex, England. and include many locations in Kent for filming, including Fog Signal Station at Dungeness, Allens Farm, Harty Ferry, Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, St Clere Estate, Bedgebury National Pinetum Forest, Hever Castle, Quex Park, Grain, Chiddingstone and Shellness Beach.

No plot spoilers except to say at first I though The Third Day bought back memories of the Classic horror thriller The Wicker Man (1973) but as the story got weirder and sillier I only stuck with it for the actors. It's a shame really I think a film about 2 hours long would have been a better choice than a long drawn out 6 part series with repetitive predictable padding. It's ok average suspense violent in parts a Cinema my opinion more interesting characters than the plot itself.

This is one of those programmes that can leave you in two minds. On the one hand there is the excellent cast. On the other is an appalling script. Would continued viewing be a waste of time or would everything come together? I started watching this because Jude Law is in it. All I can think of at the moment is 'Why is he in it?' What a waste of a talent. And Emily Watson and Paddy Considine. Surely they must have better things to do. I think I will stick with it, at least for a while but please don't let it be a Wicker Man scenario.