Makkers1

Unforgivable deals with the aftermath of a family dealing with uncle on nephew child abuse. Joe, the uncle, is released from prison on licence. Though time frames are rarely discussed this is soon after, but not related to, the death of his mother.

His sister, played by Anna Friel, whose son he abused is finding it difficult to cope with family life and come to terms with the horror of what happened.

There are other goings on that fill the 90 minute run time.

It is a well made drama, exploring the issues and trauma through a series of therapy sessions and real time drama.

This is a Jimmy McGovern drama so expect to feel uncomfortable.

Just because the central issue is horrific doesn't necessarily mean the drama itself will be outstanding.

There are many good performances balanced out by a few cardboard actors. Bobby Schofield who plays the uncle, was the wrong lead. He's not defined nor sharp enough. Anna Friel, the mother is outstanding as is David Threlfall, the grandad. The child actor who plays the nephew could have upped his game.

The 90 minute run time is heavy with cliches. The dysfunctional family has now become all too common in these dramas to the extent we have become desensitised to their plight.

Unforgivable does take an unexpected turn for which more time should have been allowed to scrutinise the developments. Instead, it's all crammed into the last 10 minutes and as the credits roll an overwhelming feeling of anticlimax prevails. Could have been so much more only if it was stretched out somewhat.

As far as the usual rubbish you associate with anything with Netflix's fingerprints on this is perhaps a once in a decade exception.

Cold cases, current trauma and a star turn by the 'Syrian' Akram provided a very watchable drama. To an extent.

If you can tolerate a mopy Matthew Goode, a cliched therapist and a police department that could be outwitted by an elephant with nosebleed in the snow, I can recommend this drama for sure.

The biggest let down by far is the amount of red herring baggage DeptQ carries. The investigation bounces the team like a ping pong ball, but ultimately there is little joy to be had. Compound this with the headache you'll get in trying to remember who's who and how they fit in the story and the absurdity of the police investigations you somehow feel the series could have been dealt with in just 4 episodes.

Nevertheless, stick with it. There are moments of tension and drama. Not telling you how the investigation goes but you'll be happy at the closure. Definitely not an 8+ on IMDB, a strong 7.0 methinks.

A crew in a desolated fishing outpost; struggling with food, cold and spirit. After a traumatic encounter with the survivors of a sunken ship, whom they fail to rescue due to their own personal condition the crew appears to be cursed.

I followed the film, getting drawn into their perilous condition and the heartbreaking dilemma when faced with the shipwrecked crew.

So far so good.

The film is set in a beautiful but hostile icy landscape. It's the night scenes which got me annoyed. It was difficult to follow the drama with poor lighting. Throughout the film the dialogue was half mumbled. Soundtrack is on point however.

As much a psychological drama as a thriller it fails to break any new ground relying on jump scares too often.

I wouldn't necessarily not recommend the film as it makes a brave attempt to offer a worthy drama but ultimately it falls short.