‘Disclaimer*’ Episodes 1 & 2 reviewed

Thoughts on the new Apple TV+ series

The first section of this review is spoiler-free.

In the wake of Sean Baker reminding audiences that some films are just for adults, I’d like to remind everyone that there are TV series just for adults, too. I consider The Morning Show to be one of those series, as well as Severance and maybe even Shrinking.

Notably, all three of those are award-winning projects from Apple TV; creating a promisingly welcoming home for Alfonso Cuarón’s latest project, Disclaimer*.

In seven chapters of around forty minutes each, Cuarón’s adaptation of Renée Knight’s 2015 novel of the same name features a blinding cast of stars with award-littered résumés; namely Cate Blanchett, Sacha Baron Cohen and Kevin Kline to name but a few.

With two episodes released simultaneously on Apple TV+ this past Friday, we have been offered a tantalisingly intimate glance - more of a glare - into some of the most exceptional characterisation TV has offered us in 2024 thus far. I’m not easily or quickly pleased, I promise - Cuarón has truly lifted these characters off of Knight’s pages and laid them bare on our screens.

Take Catherine (played by Cate Blanchett): from the trailer alone, we receive narration in the second person in her own voice; a clear indication of how intrinsically personal this psychological thriller is. Pair that with the insidiously cold cinematography of greys and blues setting us up to bathe in the clear misery that will ensue for our supposedly delightful Catherine Ravenscroft.

Episode 1 feeds us the threads of two tales - one past and one present - and lulls us into a false sense of security. An open and honest dialogue, a beautiful home life, the peak of a career: positive after positive from Cuarón. Whatever truth our characters are hiding, it is certainly buried with an outstanding depth.

What follows in Episode 2 is an unravelling of tensions long held. Catherine’s partner Robert fulfils his role as supportive husband but his emotions spill out of him, leaving us unsure of his future role. Baron Cohen navigates the fine line between entitled, insufferable bastard and privileged role-model husband with expert coordination; all the while tiptoeing in between the ‘darlings’ and ‘sweethearts’ of Catherine.

Spoilers ahead!

What turns the tide between the first and second episode is the haunting shift in tone as Stephen, father of Jonathan, reveals his purpose to be hellbent on destroying the fake protective reputation that Catherine has built up for herself. It seems as if the disclaimer we ought to have gotten is that absolutely no character can be believed just yet. True villainy is notoriously difficult to identify - maybe a little too difficult.

I would have happily accepted an amalgamation of mixed feelings, uncertainties and anxieties from the first episode - and I did! But for less clarity and more confusion to stem from the second episode wasn’t alienating but was more frustrating - and not entirely in a good way. After all, as I always manage to mention in every review, my viewing is empathy-led: I care about characters too much and after watching a collective ninety minutes of Disclaimer,* I don’t feel anyone can be trusted and as a result, I’m a little less invested in the anticipation for Episode 3. Yes, we’ll have some marital tension between Robert and Catherine and it’s clear that Catherine’s career is at threat: these are predictable elements that don’t quite fit the bill of psychological thriller, but more mystery. There’s just a bit too much mystery right now.

If you’re watching along as well, I’d love to hear what you’ve thought of the episodes so far. The strings of the score and the beautiful use of light are undeniable strengths of the series’ creation of atmosphere: if you’re feeling pulled in or put off by elements like these, drop a comment below.

You can read instant reviews of each episode via my Serializd account.