‘His & Hers’ Review: Netflix’s Tessa Thompson Whodunnit Takes Itself Too Seriously

Netflix’s new limited series His & Hers is a curious contradiction. Adapted from Alice Feeney’s 2020 novel and developed by showrunners William Oldroyd and Dee Johnson, the six-episode murder mystery is packed with twists, secrets and pulpy Southern Gothic tropes. Yet despite its inherently sensational setup, the series insists on a somber, humorless tone that often works against its strengths.

A Promising Premise, Played Straight

The story opens with the murder of Rachel Duffie, a wealthy resident of Dahlonega, Georgia. The crime draws together two estranged spouses: Anna Andrews, a disgraced Atlanta news anchor turned field reporter played by Tessa Thompson, and Detective Jack Harper, portrayed by Jon Bernthal, who leads the investigation. The setup suggests potential for dark humor or playful tension — a reporter covering a case run by her own husband — but His & Hers largely rejects levity. Ethical conflicts that could fuel satire are instead brushed aside, treated with grave seriousness even as the plot grows increasingly implausible.

Chemistry Undercut by Tone

Thompson and Bernthal share clear on-screen chemistry, and early episodes hint at a more mischievous dynamic. That promise fades quickly as the series commits to a relentlessly dour mood. Professional improprieties, personal betrayals and escalating crimes pile up, leaving little room for tonal variation. Thompson plays Anna as enigmatic and emotionally distant, a choice that sustains mystery but limits emotional engagement. Still, her performance remains controlled and compelling, and the show’s flaws are unlikely to dent her reputation, built across blockbuster fare like Thor: Ragnarok and prestige projects such as Hedda.

Supporting Cast Delivers Uneven Results

The supporting ensemble is a mixed bag. Crystal Fox stands out as Anna’s mother, Alice, whose shifting mental clarity is portrayed with nuance and restraint. Fox delivers the series’ most layered performance, grounding the story amid its excesses.

Elsewhere, Pablo Schreiber and Sunita Mani keep their roles grounded, offering welcome stability. Poppy Liu shines as a chillingly dismissive school headmistress, injecting the show with sharpness and clarity of intent. Bernthal and Marin Ireland, however, lean heavily into exaggerated Southern archetypes. Their performances feel outsized and inconsistent, clashing with the more restrained work around them and amplifying the show’s tonal imbalance.

Atmosphere Overwhelms Story

Visually, His & Hers is steeped in gloom. The series’ muted palette and near-constant gray skies lend a heavy atmosphere that becomes oppressive over time. Dahlonega, a real town known for wineries and tourism, is depicted as a bleak landscape riddled with crime, casual racism and class tension — a choice that may raise eyebrows among locals. The showrunners deserve credit for actually setting the series in Georgia rather than letting it double for another city. Still, the lack of visual or tonal relief weighs down the narrative.

Verdict

His & Hers remains watchable thanks to its central mystery and a handful of genuine surprises. But its insistence on self-seriousness undermines what could have been a sharper, more entertaining thriller. With better tonal balance, the series might have embraced its absurdities instead of being dragged down by them.