On June 18, 2025, Amazon Prime Video released “We Were Liars,” based on the young adult novel by E. Lockhart, first published in 2014. The story gained attention for its blend of mystery, family drama and themes of privilege and secrecy. Written to explore how wealth, class and family expectations can deeply affect young people, “We Were Liars” offers an emotional, suspenseful story for readers. Its success with teens and young adults, along with its shocking twists, made it a strong candidate for screen adaptation, bringing the story to a wider audience.
The show centers on the wealthy Sinclair family, who spend their summers on a private island off the coast of Massachusetts. The main character, Cadence Sinclair Eastman, returns to the island after a mysterious accident that left her with memory loss. Alongside her are her cousins Johnny and Mirren, and Gat, a close family friend who doesn’t quite fit into the Sinclair world. These four form a tight-knit group known as “the Liars,” whose bond is both heartwarming and complicated. The plot follows Cadence as she tries to piece together what happened during “summer 16” when her accident took place.
The strong acting of “We Were Liars” makes it such a binge-worthy show. Each actor feels perfectly cast for their role as they embody great mannerisms and a way of telling their own personal story that resembles their character. The only negative comment I made on the acting is that some of the smaller roles felt washed out by the storytelling of the main characters. I would have loved to see more of the plotline unfold from the parents and their connections.
Throughout the book, the author incorporates many symbols pointing toward the final scene that you don’t comprehend until you see the big picture. I gained much respect for the author and directors for incorporating rich storytelling that the audience follows so well.
The cinematography displayed throughout the show, especially in the last episode, absolutely stunned the audience and enhanced the emotional captivation of the show. Every shot feels very intentional, adding meaning to each section of the characterization and the plot.
The excellent music selection throughout the show adds incredible depth to the emotion of the story. What makes the show so memorable for many viewers is the choice of music. From the instrumental moments underscored to the powerful songs through extreme conflict, the soundtrack perfectly complements the storyline. “Saturn” by MARKEYBEE, chosen as the song for the big climax of the show, intrigues many audiences, which has been spun into many viral TikTok edits.
For me, the suspenseful attitude and an unpredictable outcome of “We Were Liars,” make it one of my favorite shows. What got me hooked on the idea of even starting the show was the countless TikTok reviews I saw of people crying to the last episode, which kept me on the edge of my seat the whole season, leading up to the big suspense of “episode eight.”
I would give “We Were Liars” a 10/10 because while it contains the biggest plot twist in a show, it wasn’t easily predictable and the scenes were acted beautifully. On Sept. 17, Prime Video officially announced the renewal of “We Were Liars” for a second season. While we don’t know the exact release date yet, season one set a high expectation for the storyline, acting and visuals for the show, making season two highly anticipated by many.
