Lily Gladstone’s Chilling New Thriller Series Is a Must-See

I've got chills

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Published Apr 17, 2024

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After seeing her incredible performance in the Oscar-nominated crime drama, Killers of the Flower Moon, I've been keeping abreast of all things Lily Gladstone. For instance, I've already got my calendar marked to see her upcoming Apple TV+ series, Fancy Dance, and her upcoming indie film, The Unknown Country, which drops this July. Thankfully though, Hulu has just released a gripping true-crime thriller starring none other than the Native American actress, and it's a must-watch.

Allow me to introduce Under the Bridge, which tells the true story of Reena Virk, a 14-year-old who was bullied and murdered by a group of teens in British Columbia in 1997. The harrowing series depicts her final days and the aftermath of her murder, as told through the eyes of Officer Cam Bentland (Gladstone), who spearheads the investigation, and Rebecca Godfrey (Riley Keough), the real-life writer who visits the town and pens a 2005 novel about the case. Here's why I consider this new series a must-see.

1. It Explores the Damaging Effects of Bullying

I should note that, because of the heavy subject matter, this series isn't for the faint of heart. I've only watched the first two episodes and it already paints a disturbing, heartbreaking picture of the cruelty and violence Reena has to endure. Still, this feels like necessary viewing, because it clearly shows how bullying can lead to alarming extremes: In this case, a young girl dies. But even before Reena loses her life, the show reveals how the bullying takes a toll on her own self-confidence and mental health.

Disney

2. Lily Gladstone's Performance Is Fantastic

As mentioned before, Gladstone plays Cam—an officer who's determined to crack the case from the moment she learns Reena is missing. Although her concerns are initially dismissed and her peers assume that Reena just ran away, the tables are turned when her body is found. As Cam gets more deeply involved, she goes from mildly suspicious to concerned to completely gutted.

Gladstone's layered portrayal of the officer, whose personal connection to Godfrey adds yet another layer of stress to her plate, makes her stand out from the rest of the cast. She knows how to command a scene with little-to-no words, and though Keough is quite compelling as the curious author who blends in with the teen suspects, I find myself more drawn to the determined officer who's desperate to get justice for Reena—so much so that her emotions can get the best of her.

Disney

3. It Honors the Victim

I appreciate that this isn't a straight true-crime series that simply dives into the facts of the case. Though I've yet to finish all the episodes, I feel like I got to know who the real Reena was and what her home life was like. For instance, I got to see that she shared a special bond with her favorite uncle and that she loved hip-hop music. There was so much more to her beyond the desire to fit in with the popular kids, and I think the show does a great job of honoring her.

Disney

PureWow Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Under the Bridge is a captivating true-crime series that features a standout performance by Lily Gladstone and timely themes, like mental health and bullying. The series also does a great job of honoring the victim by giving viewers a glimpse of her personal story.

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Nakeisha Campbell

Associate Editor, News and Entertainment

Nakeisha has been interviewing celebrities and covering all things entertainment for over 8 years, but she has also written on a wide range of topics, like career...

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