A #1 Teen Thriller Called ‘We Were Liars’ Faces Major Criticism: What Went Wrong?

by

Summary

  • “We Were Liars” is number one on Amazon Prime Video and has a 63% Rotten Tomatoes rating.
  • The show is based on E. Lockhart’s YA novel, but critics find the story slow-paced and characters lacking.
  • While a second season isn’t confirmed, the possibility remains open with a prequel available for adaptation.

As one popular teen thriller show climbs up the Amazon Prime Video rankings, both viewers and critics find that it has certain imperfections. In recent times, Netflix has enjoyed significant success with young adult-focused TV shows, from the witty dark humor of ‘Wednesday’ to the intellectually stimulating sci-fi series ‘Stranger Things’. Amazon has also produced a number of teen-centric shows, such as ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ and the underwhelming television adaptation of ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’.

It appears that while opinions on movies and TV shows may sometimes vary among audiences and critics, there seems to be a consensus about one Amazon series. Released on June 18th, 2025, its eight-episode first season has sparked much discussion.

We Were Liars Is Number One On Amazon Prime Video And Has A 63% Rotten Tomatoes Rating And Audience Score

As reported by Flix Patrol, We Were Liars currently holds the top spot on Amazon Prime Video, generating quite a bit of excitement as a must-watch series this summer of 2025.

In 2014, I found myself captivated by the enchanting narrative of a novel titled “We Were Liars” penned by E. Lockhart. This story revolves around me, Cadence Sinclair Eastman, as I grapple with recalling the profound and transformative events that unfolded during a particular summer. That summer, I was privileged to reside on the exclusive Beechwood Island alongside the enigmatic Sinclair family. The roles of Bess, Carrie, and Penny were beautifully portrayed by Candice King, Mamie Gummer, and Caitlin Fitzgerald respectively. Other significant characters include Johnny Sinclair Dennis (Joseph Zada), Gat Patil (Shubham Maheshwari), and Mirren Sinclair Sheffield (Esther McGregor).

As a film enthusiast, I find it intriguing to point out that both We Were Liars and my current watch share identical Rotten Tomatoes ratings and Popcornmeter scores: 63%. Despite its popularity on Amazon, many viewers and critics have noted that the show’s pace is sluggish and the characters lack the depth found in other teen dramas. Some fans even called it “boring” and filled with unnecessary melodrama. Interestingly, a few have shared their preference for the book version, finding it more engaging and less drawn-out than the screen adaptation.

It seems that critics are questioning whether We Were Liars stands out much from other mystery series like Pretty Little Liars and Cruel Summer, both of which spanned multiple seasons and unfolded intriguing tales across three different timelines. A quick look at the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes suggests that not all viewers were hooked by the mystery. Jonathan Wilson from Ready Steady Cut felt that the show had “uninteresting subplots about mundane matters, set against the picturesque backdrop of a holiday island.” Angie Han in The Hollywood Reporter commented on Cadence’s slow realization process.

As a movie critic, I must admit that Lockhart’s novel, “We Were Liars,” left me captivated by its intricate mystery and enchanting prose. However, when it came to the small screen adaptation, I found myself yearning for more depth and substance.

Many viewers, including myself, have raised concerns over the abundance of “King Lear” references that seemed out of place in the storyline. While the book is undeniably poetic and memorable, the show occasionally veers into the realm of cheesy and contrived. It’s almost impossible not to draw comparisons with shows like “Pretty Little Liars,” which managed to balance the ordinary aspects of young adult life with a gripping mystery that kept audiences on the edge of their seats for an impressive seven seasons.

Regrettably, despite the much-discussed ending of “We Were Liars” sparking intrigue, it wasn’t enough to elevate the entire series into a cohesive and satisfying viewing experience.

Will Fans Get To See We Were Liars Season 2?

Although Amazon Prime Video hasn’t announced plans for a second season of “We Were Liars,” there is room to envision the complex and artistic narrative continuing. If the series were to return, it might be based on E. Lockhart’s prequel “Family of Liars,” which was published in 2022. Lockhart’s third novel in the series, “We Fell Apart,” is set to be released in November 2025, hinting that a third season could also be possible.

A few actors from the series have expressed their opinions about season 2. Candice King hinted to TV Line that the upcoming episodes might take place during the 1990s, while Caitlin Fitzgerald mentioned that a spin-off or prequel could be an enjoyable experience.

Although The Society was terminated after just one season without resolving the plot, We Were Liars provides an account of that fateful summer. In a conversation with Variety, co-showrunner Carina Adly MacKenzie discussed the ending of season 1 and the potential for further exploration of Cadence’s tale. She expressed:

The initial season concludes in a fulfilling and impactful manner… We’re eager for the chance to delve deeper into the narrative, so we’re optimistic about returning for more. However, if it turns out that this is a self-contained series, I believe it’s a beautifully crafted tale.

Read More

2025-07-04 18:10