ComScore

Peacock’s ‘Based on a True Story’ Is a Thrilling Watch That Will Keep Audiences Guessing

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.

Based on a True Story CAT2
Peacock

*Warning: Spoilers ahead*

OK, let’s be honest. In recent years, there has been a sudden influx (and overwhelming demand) of true-crime content. Just look at the success of shows and movies like Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer StoryCandyThe Staircase and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. The bottom line: America is obsessed with true-crime stories and notorious serial killers.

Allow us to introduce you to the newly released Peacock comedy-thriller series, Based on a True Story, which takes that very concept and puts a comedic twist on the oft-glamorized genre. The first season (consisting of eight episodes) follows a married couple named Ava (Kaley Cuoco) and Nathan Bartlett (Chris Messina), who find themselves in the middle of a gripping murder mystery after someone they know turns up dead. 

So, is the show worth the watch? Keep reading for an honest review of Based on a True Story.

The first episode doesn’t waste any time in throwing the viewer right into the murder mystery. In classic slasher fashion, we’re on the edge of our seats as we watch a masked assailant (dressed entirely in black) gruesomely stab a woman in her apartment. In a matter of seconds, we’re taken back to two weeks earlier, where we learn the killer (referred to as the West Side Ripper) has struck again through a news broadcast Ava (Cuoco) is watching on her phone. 

Kaley Cuoco Based on a True Story CAT
Peacock

From her eagerness about gruesome murder cases to her slightly terrifying knowledge of serial killers, Cuoco nails being a true-crime-obsessed fan perfectly. In contrast, Messina’s comedic timing makes him a joy to watch. Whether he’s saying a witty comeback or trying (and failing) to be the voice of reason in his relationship, The Mindy Project alum still manages to make us laugh even though his character is *really* going through it. Oh, and don’t even get us started on the pair’s strong on-screen chemistry because *chefs kiss*.

Kaley and Chris Based on a True Story CAT
Peacock

Based on a True Story will keep you guessing throughout. Just by the first episode alone, we can already tell that this comedy-thriller is gearing up to be a fun, wild and chaotic ride.

PureWow Rating: 4 Out Of 5 Stars

If the rest of the eight episodes are anything like the first, Based on a True Story (that showcases the uber-talented Cuoco and Messina quite well), is going to be a thrilling watch.

For a full breakdown of PureWow's entertainment rating system, click here.

Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Click here.



karelle mckay headshot e1678464959710

Assistant Editor, News And Entertainment

Karelle McKay is the Assistant Editor of News and Entertainment at PureWow. Before she started writing about all things pop culture, she was a literal couch potato who loved...