"Disclaimer" is a critically acclaimed psychological thriller miniseries that premiered on Apple TV+ on October 11, 2024. Created, written, and directed by five-time Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón (known for Gravity, Roma), the series is based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Renée Knight.
The show explores themes of truth, perception, revenge, and the devastating impact of buried secrets, often employing a non-linear narrative and unreliable perspectives to keep viewers on edge.
Plot Overview
The series centers on Catherine Ravenscroft (played by two-time Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett), an acclaimed documentary journalist renowned for exposing the transgressions of powerful institutions. Her seemingly perfect life is shattered when she receives a mysterious novel titled The Perfect Stranger from an unknown author. To her horror, Catherine realizes she is the central character in this book, and it purports to reveal her deepest, darkest secret – an event from 20 years prior that she has desperately tried to keep hidden.
As Catherine races to uncover the identity of the book's author, her past comes crashing down, threatening to destroy her career, her marriage to Robert Ravenscroft (played by Sacha Baron Cohen), and her strained relationship with their son, Nicholas (played by Kodi Smit-McPhee).
The story unfolds across multiple timelines and perspectives:
Present Day: Catherine's life unravels as the book's contents become public, and a retired school teacher, Stephen Brigstocke (played by Academy Award winner Kevin Kline), systematically attempts to dismantle her life, driven by a profound need for revenge.
20 Years Ago (Italy): Flashbacks, initially seen through the speculative lens of Stephen's deceased wife, Nancy, and later from Catherine's own harrowing experience, reveal the fateful encounter between a young Catherine (Leila George) and Stephen's son, Jonathan, that led to his death during a vacation in Italy.
The series expertly manipulates audience perception, leading viewers to initially believe Catherine is a villain, only to reveal a far more complex and tragic truth about her past. It delves into how grief can warp reality and how deeply ingrained perceptions can blind individuals to the actual facts.
Cast and Creators
Director, Writer, and Creator: Alfonso Cuarón
Executive Producers: Alfonso Cuarón, Gabriela Rodriguez, Cate Blanchett (who also stars), David Levine, the late Steve Golin, Emmanuel Lubezki, Donald Sabourin, Carlos Morales, and Renée Knight (co-executive producer).
Original Score: Finneas O'Connell (multiple Academy and Grammy Award winner)
Main Cast:
Cate Blanchett as Catherine Ravenscroft (older)
Leila George as young Catherine Ravenscroft
Kevin Kline as Stephen Brigstocke
Sacha Baron Cohen as Robert Ravenscroft
Kodi Smit-McPhee as Nicholas Ravenscroft
Lesley Manville as Nancy Brigstocke (Stephen's late wife)
Indira Varma as the Narrator
Release and Reception
"Disclaimer" consists of seven episodes. It premiered globally on Apple TV+ on October 11, 2024, with its first two episodes, followed by weekly releases every Friday until the finale on November 15, 2024.
The series has garnered significant attention for its intricate plot, Cuarón's signature cinematic style, and the powerful performances of its esteemed cast, particularly Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline. It has been lauded for its suspenseful atmosphere and its exploration of how truth can be manipulated and perceived in different ways. The series received multiple accolades, including Golden Globe nominations for Best Limited Series and acting nominations for Kevin Kline and Cate Blanchett.
