Exploring the Empty Thrills in Alfonso Cuarón’s “Disclaimer”

Alfonso Cuarón’s new series on Apple TV+, Disclaimer, dives deep into the complexities of truth and storytelling. Despite being a simple melodrama at its core, the series layers on excessive voiceover that can sometimes overshadow the narrative itself. It aims to tell a complicated story but often spells out exactly what its characters are thinking and feeling, leaving little room for interpretation.

This miniseries marks Cuarón’s return to directing since his acclaimed film Roma, which won three Academy Awards in 2019. Set in the early 1970s, Roma was deeply personal to the filmmaker, drawing from his own upbringing in Mexico City. In contrast, Disclaimer feels impersonal and overwrought, with multiple storytellers, a dramatic score, and distinct timelines.

Adapted from a novel by Renée Knight, Disclaimer is a prestige soap opera filled with sex, scandal, and intrigue. While the series aims to captivate viewers with its mystery and drama, it can come across as overly didactic at times, prioritizing its message over subtlety and suspense.

The story centers on Catherine Ravenscroft (played by Cate Blanchett), a renowned documentarian whose life is upended when a mysterious book arrives in the mail. The self-published novel accuses her of causing the death of a teenager years ago, forcing Catherine to confront her past secrets and lies. As the book circulates among her family and colleagues, tensions rise, and Catherine’s carefully curated life begins to unravel.

A pivotal character in the series is Stephen Brigstocke (played by Kevin Kline), an aging widower who seeks to avenge the supposed wrongs committed against his son. His vengeful actions drive much of the conflict in the story, as he plots to dismantle Catherine’s life piece by piece. Despite the gravity of the situation, Stephen’s villainous schemes border on the theatrical, adding an element of dark humor to the storyline.

Overall, Disclaimer offers a gripping exploration of truth, guilt, and the power of storytelling. While it may not reach the emotional depths of Cuarón’s previous work, it delivers a thrilling and thought-provoking viewing experience for fans of mystery and drama.