Released in July 2025, the television adaptation of “We Were Liars”, available on Amazon Prime, arrives intending to bring E. Lockhart’s bestselling and haunting novel to life on screen. Set against the backdrop of the Sinclair family’s iconic summers on Beachwood Island, the series captures how privilege, secrets, and reality vs memories can seriously alter a family. While a few critics claim it faces challenges in completely replicating the psychological depth of the novel, I found that the adaptation was as thrilling and a worthwhile watch.
The story revolves around the wealthy Sinclair family, who gather each summer on their private island. The story primarily focuses on Cady, the eldest Sinclair granddaughter, as she tries to piece together the events of a mysterious accident that left her stranded in the ocean with amnesia. As Cady revisits Beechwood Island, fragmented memories begin to surface and reveal dark secrets and truths about her family and the events leading up to her accident. With the help of her cousin Johnny and Miren, and their close friend Gat, the series follows how Cady finally uncovers the truth about her accident, while also digging deep into family loyalty and betrayal, and how destructive lies are.
One of my favorite parts about the series itself was the cast. The cast consists of both seasoned and fresh actors/actresses. Emily Alyn Lind, who plays Cady, is most well-known for her work in the reboot of Gossip Girl, and fully captured Cady’s vulnerability. Joseph Zada, who plays Johnny, truly explores the layers of his character. Many fans were curious to see his performance, as he is expected to star in an upcoming movie in the Hunger Games franchise, and fans were not disappointed in his performance. The actor I was most impressed with was Shubham Maheshwari, who plays Gat. He landed this acting job with no previous film experience, and his performance was incredibly impressive.
Furthermore, one of the notable strengths of the series is its visual storytelling. The cinematography beautifully captures the contrast between the fake facade of Beachwood Island and the hidden tensions within the Sinclair family. There wasn’t a moment when I was not at the edge of my seat, waiting for the next moment. The flashbacks between ‘Summer 16’ and the present year kept each episode interesting and gripping. All in all, I enjoyed watching the “We Were Liars” adaptation. Although I’ve always been the person to say that the book is better than the movie, this adaptation certainly comes close.
