Netflix’s new limited thriller His & Hers has arrived with plenty of buzz—and a surprising level of division among critics. While reviewers largely agree that its two leads deliver compelling performances, one word keeps surfacing across early reactions: frustrating. Starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal, the six-episode series adapts the novel by Alice Feeney. The story follows an estranged married couple—a journalist and a detective—who investigate a murder while increasingly suspecting each other.
Strong Performances Anchor the Mystery
Across the board, critics praise the chemistry between Thompson and Bernthal. Several reviews note that their dynamic elevates what could have been a standard murder mystery into something more emotionally layered. IGN’s Michael Peyton rated the series a strong 9 out of 10, highlighting the leads’ “crackling chemistry.” He wrote that His & Hers begins as a familiar whodunit but gradually transforms into a deeper exploration of grief, marriage, and parenthood—ultimately becoming “more than the sum of its parts.” Similarly, Variety’s Aramide Tinubu described Thompson’s performance as “fascinating” and called the show’s story “bonkers” in the best way, praising its ability to upend audience expectations with each twist.
Where the Frustration Sets In
Despite the strong acting, pacing and narrative choices are where critics begin to diverge. Decider’s Joel Keller acknowledged the show’s potential and bingeability but said it often crosses the line from suspenseful to withholding too much information.
“There’s a fine line between keeping viewers on their toes and frustrating them,” Keller noted, adding that the series sometimes lands on the wrong side of that balance. Still, he ultimately deemed it worth streaming for fans of twist-heavy thrillers. Other critics were far less forgiving.
Harsh Reviews Point to Plot Overload
Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com rated the series just 1.5 stars out of 4, arguing that the increasingly convoluted twists undermine the story’s credibility. He criticized the show for “not thinking much of your intelligence,” suggesting that its commitment to shocking turns comes at the expense of emotional logic. The A.V. Club’s Saloni Gajjar was even more blunt, calling His & Hers “one of the most frustrating shows of the year” and awarding it a D+. According to Gajjar, even the talent of Thompson and Bernthal cannot compensate for the growing number of plot holes as the story unfolds.
A Polarizing Netflix Thriller
What unites nearly all the reviews is respect for the cast. Thompson and Bernthal are widely seen as giving their all, even when the material strains under its own ambition. The disagreement lies in whether the twists feel daring or simply excessive. For viewers who enjoy psychological thrillers packed with secrets, unreliable perspectives, and escalating reveals, His & Hers may still prove binge-worthy. For others, the mounting frustrations may outweigh the intrigue. All six episodes of His & Hers are now streaming on Netflix, leaving audiences to decide whether the critics’ most-used word is a warning—or part of the appeal.
