SERIES REVIEW – When Catherine Ravenscroft (Cate Blanchett), a celebrated documentary producer, receives a mysterious book in the mail, the foreboding disclaimer on its first page immediately grabs her attention: “Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is not purely coincidental.” What begins as mild curiosity quickly spirals into fear as the novel forces Catherine to confront long-suppressed memories from her past.

Stephen Brigstocke (Kevin Kline) intended nothing less. Catherine has no idea that the lonely, vengeful widower has been secretly observing her for years. Sending the book is only the first step in his elaborate plan to unearth her most guarded secrets and completely unravel her life.

Based on a Bestselling Thriller

If nothing else, Apple TV+’s Disclaimer demonstrates that not every bestselling novel needs Nicole Kidman to bring it to life. Not that Cate Blanchett is playing second fiddle—far from it. This limited series elevates the art of television, driven by the deft direction of Alfonso Cuarón. Known for Oscar-winning films like Children of Men and Gravity, Cuarón reminds us why he’s considered one of the great visionaries of contemporary cinema. While the show doesn’t premiere on Apple TV+ until October, Disclaimer debuted at the Venice Film Festival, and it exudes the kind of sophistication and prestige that defines high-end television.

Yet Disclaimer fits squarely within the mold of recent limited series adapted from plot-heavy thrillers, following in the footsteps of The Undoing, Big Little Lies, or Nine Perfect Strangers. Its narrative thrives on the viewer’s burning curiosity—an insatiable desire to untangle the past and learn the truth. Critics were required to watch all seven episodes, as the full story only crystallizes with the final reveal. Unfortunately, that climax doesn’t quite deliver the satisfaction one might hope for.

Where Disclaimer excels is in its craftsmanship. Cuarón’s meticulous attention to detail brings the series to life in ways few others could. He imbues every scene with authenticity, from the shabby home of an aging schoolteacher to the sleek, cutting-edge office of a modern production studio. Think of the nuanced touch he brought to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Here, that same magic transforms ordinary locations into unforgettable settings, demonstrating how even the most mundane backdrops can be infused with cinematic wonder.

The Cats Steal the Show

The visual brilliance of Disclaimer owes much to the cinematography of Emmanuel Lubezki and Bruno Delbonnel, whose work captures both the beauty and ugliness of life in equal measure. Their lighting choices lend a painterly quality to many scenes, elevating the series into something that feels truly artful. Adding to this is Indira Varma’s evocative narration, which echoes the novel’s literary roots. Her performance enriches the emotional depth of each scene, enhancing the already superb acting on display.

And here’s a note for feline aficionados: Disclaimer features two standout cats who glide in and out of scenes with the casual confidence of indoor felines who know they own the place (even if it’s a film set). Alfonso Cuarón deserves an Emmy nod just for their inclusion.

While the technical aspects shine across the board, Cate Blanchett’s performance remains the crown jewel. Blanchett masterfully inhabits Catherine, capturing every nuance from her vulnerability to her steely resolve. Her performance doesn’t just deepen the story—it draws viewers into Catherine’s internal struggles, making her fears and desires feel achingly real. Once again, Blanchett proves why she’s regarded as one of the greatest actors of her generation.

Kevin Kline, meanwhile, delivers a welcome return to prominence with a role that finally gives him room to shine after years of relative obscurity. (No shade to Bob’s Burgers, where he remains a staple voice.) Like Blanchett, Kline is fully committed to exploring the darker sides of his character. Stephen is at once sympathetic and repulsive, and Kline balances these contradictions with remarkable skill. The series also includes flashback sequences using de-aging technology to depict a younger Brigstocke, and the results are unsettlingly flawless.

Familiar Territory

The main flaw of Disclaimer lies not in its execution but in its narrative. For all its technical brilliance, the story itself struggles to rise above the conventions of its genre. Despite the extraordinary talent behind the project, including Cuarón’s visionary direction, the series feels overly reminiscent of other adaptations of best-selling thrillers, particularly those that might be found in the Gillian Flynn section of your local bookstore.

Of course, complaining about this is a bit like griping that water is wet. After all, Disclaimer is based on a novel squarely within this genre. But the series leans too heavily on familiar tropes, which makes certain scenes feel stale and renders the buildup to the climactic twist more predictable than it should be.

This reliance on formulaic storytelling undermines the exceptional work of the cast. In addition to Blanchett and Kline, Lesley Manville delivers a standout performance in several flashback scenes, Sacha Baron Cohen proves he can play it straight with remarkable nuance, and Kodi Smit-McPhee makes the most of the thankless role of “the moody adult son who’s always glued to his phone.” Yet even this stellar ensemble can’t entirely overcome the limitations of the script.

The greatest mystery of Disclaimer isn’t what happened to Catherine all those years ago. It’s why Cuarón, a filmmaker renowned for his originality, chose to take on this project in the first place. What drew him to this story?

In a note to journalists, Cuarón explained that he was captivated by “the thematic and character complexity of Renée Knight’s novel,” and that it inspired him to explore “how our deepest beliefs, often those virtues that define us, can shape our perception of reality” through different cinematic languages. Unfortunately, these lofty ambitions don’t fully translate to the screen. The production’s high level of artistry is undeniable, but the core narrative often falls flat, occasionally to the point of frustration.

Cuarón remains one of the finest directors of our time, and Disclaimer reaffirms his unparalleled skill behind the camera. Let’s hope his next project pairs that skill with source material that matches his extraordinary vision.

-Gergely Herpai „BadSector”-