Four Lives

This is a really well-made story of how four young men were murdered by same man after meeting up through a gay dating website. It's a tale very much of the time we live in. It seems to me there's so many young people who are prepared to just meet complete strangers through social media, without really thinking of the potential consequences.

Sheridan Smith plays the mother of the first victim and as always she puts on a first class performance. As far as I'm aware this was Stephen merchants first straight role and deserves praise for the way he portrayed the evil sadistic killer, who claimed his innocence right up to the end. Well worth a watch particularly if like me you were previously unaware of this story. 8/10.

Very good drama based on a recent true story

Excellent performance as per usual by Sheridan Smith and the surprise package of Stephen Merchant as the evil Port.

Having had personal experience with police and liaison officers and investigating police this perfectly portrays the frustration of today when dealing with them. You'd like to think lessons would be learnt but no. They're a frustrating bunch with no sympathy, empathy or common sense. Scary when they're in such positions. But make no mistake the portrayal is very real.

Sheridan is wonderful as always. Seems to be something about her managing to play the rough housewife so well. Remember The Moorside?

Merchant is equality as mesmerising even if he doesn't say a lot. Check out them eyes. Hate to know what the real bloke is like.

The sadness of the ending brought me to tears.

Compelling watch.

Four lives tells the real life story of the horrific murders of 4 young men on the very cusp of thier lives, & where the utterly shocking police incompetnce & failure to investigate, which lead to more lives being cruelly snatched away.

Stephen Merchant is utterly chilling as murderer Stephen Port. His performance is spine tingling yet almost muted making the whole persona seem eerie & sinister. Sheriden Smith as the mother of Anthony Walgate (Sarah Sac) is highly emotive & brought a tear to my eye as the mothers that lost their sons are my age & made me realise this could have happened to my son. So her performance gave me a personal connection. The supporting cast are also excellent, where I could find no fault. This deeply upsetting story is told with tact & a certain grace which I appreciate & respect, however I feel the side of the story dealing with the incompetent police investigation was slightly lacking & needed more depth. The blatent homophobia displayed by the police during the real investigation was disgusting & staggering but this is not touched upon untill part 3 of the drama.

Overall this is a great drama though & highly compelling with terrific performances. The pacing is smooth, direction is almost flawless & the photography is superb. We can also take comfort that the real killer, Stephen Port is now safely locked away on a whole life term so he can no longer terrorise the Gay community & law abiding society. Thank goodness!

8 stars for all the cast & crew. X.

A harrowing true story. The incompetencies of the Police make it seem unbelievable but by all accounts, it was the case. On the whole, well put together and the acting was good barring Sheridan Smith. Overly aggressive, unlikeable and couldn't even say her character's sons name properly. Regardless, I would still recommend.