Twisty Annette Bening drama Apples Never Fall lacks the crunch of a Pink Lady: review
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Only a handful of writers have created their own unique worlds in today’s TV scene. Agatha Christie is well-known for receiving fresh adaptations every Christmas. Authors like David Nicholls and Kate Atkinson, along with various thriller writers such as Gillian Flynn and the tireless Harlan Coben, also stand out. However, none have left a mark quite like Australian novelist Liane Moriarty. Her books have led to several hit dramas, with the latest one, *Apples Never Fall*, premiering this week on BBC One.
Joy Delaney (played by Annette Bening) has gone missing after recently retiring from the tennis academy she ran with her unpredictable husband, Stan (Sam Neill). Her disappearance raises alarm among her children: anxious Amy (Alison Brie), tough-guy Troy (Jake Lacy), disillusioned Logan (Conor Merrigan Turner), and unreliable Brooke (Essie Randles). Did someone kill their mother? Could that "someone" be their father, especially since Joy might have been thinking about getting a divorce? Or is her sudden disappearance connected to the unexpected arrival of a mysterious young woman named Savannah (Georgia Flood), who seemed to disrupt the Delaney family's dynamics several months earlier?
If you're familiar with Moriarty's writing, you can probably guess what to expect. There are plenty of unexpected twists, deliberate misdirection, and an abundance of family conflicts. This is the third major adaptation of Moriarty’s stories, starting with the acclaimed 2017 series *Big Little Lies*, and followed by Amazon's *Nine Perfect Strangers*, which serves as a middle course in this somewhat cheesy lineup. While all three productions feature top-tier talent and impressive production quality, the artistic vision seems to have diminished over time. While *Big Little Lies* had a more discerning visual flair, *Apples Never Fall* feels like a standard thriller drenched in a sepia tone. Even the title feels awkward, and the dialogue often comes across as forced. For instance, the mysterious character Savannah remarks, “Everyone claims they want a doctor in the family, but I think having someone in the geosciences is much more fascinating.”
Nevertheless, how could a series featuring Annette Bening, Sam Neill, and Alison Brie be truly terrible? This is the essence of *Apples Never Fall*. Each episode centers on a different member of the Delaney family as they deal with their complicated relationships and the disturbing revelations that threaten to bring hidden truths to light. They shine in the vibrant Florida setting (which replaces the novel's Australian backdrop, although the show is still filmed there), looking almost impossibly attractive. This is a hallmark of the Moriartiverse: stunning individuals in stunning locations, interacting with one another in somewhat unsettling ways. While the characters stick to their familiar roles—Lacy as the quintessential Hollywood bro, and Brie embodying every quirky neurotic imaginable—everything fits together perfectly, like pieces of a puzzle.
Joy admits in a flashback, “It almost felt straightforward to be a martyr. I might have disappointed myself.” While *Apples Never Fall* relies on familiar themes – the absent woman, the enigmatic newcomer, the old rival who re-emerges – its main focus is on how a troubled marriage leads to a troubled family. The writing by showrunner Melanie Marnich can sometimes be overly obvious, yet there’s enough engaging content to hold viewers’ attention for seven episodes. Although it doesn't reach the same high point as *Big Little Lies*, the twist in the seventh episode is more of a solid finish, even if it doesn't quite achieve a dramatic reveal.
**Apples Never Fall** occupies a unique space somewhere between a traditional murder mystery and a dramatic portrayal of family decline. It blends elements from both genres, creating a new hybrid that aims to engage a diverse audience—people of all ages and genders—with a mix of intrigue, drama, and relatability. While the show may not pack the sharp bite of a Pink Lady apple, it still offers the smooth appeal and summery essence of a Golden Delicious.
