The long awaited series adaptation of “We Were Liars,” based on the young adult novel by E. Lockhart has finally been released. 

Now on Amazon Prime Video, the show stays true to the book. The show follows Cadence Sinclair Eastman, the heir to a superficial East Coast family. Cadence has to navigate a loss in the family, tragic summer romances and memory loss. 

For fans of the book, the series is refreshing and familiar. 

One of the show’s strongest aspects is its consistency following the book’s plot line and tone. The dreamy and almost surreal atmosphere that Lockhart creates in her novel is portrayed through the show’s cinematography. The series preserves key plot elements from the book. It carefully captures the mysterious accident that resulted in Cadence’s memory loss and unravels the tragic truth behind the “Liars,” her cousins Miren and Johnny and love interest, Gat. 

Instead of adjusting the plot to appeal to a broader audience, the show leans in and embraces the book’s emotional weight and intensity. The show also does an exceptional job of using broken dialogue and narration to highlight Cadence’s disorientation and trauma. 

The cast creates intriguing depth to their characters. Emily Alyn Lind, who plays Cadence, provides a vulnerable performance every scene she is in and her chemistry with Shubham Maheshwari, who plays Gat, feels genuine. They both pull viewers into the complex dynamic of privilege and pining. 

While the show has many strengths, it doesn’t always hit the mark. Many scenes, mainly the ones that involve heavy teen melodrama, cross into “cringeworthy” territory. There are dramatic declarations of love between Cadence and Gat that feel unrealistic and superficial at times. The novel’s tone amplified the experiences on the page, but when translated to screen the script felt unnatural. 

Overall, “We Were Liars” is a mostly successful rendition of the novel that showcases moving performances from its youthful cast. For fans of the book, the show is a satisfying trip to Beechwood Island. For new viewers, it is an emotional and mysterious roller coaster that shows what happens when the lies we tell ourselves start to come out.