If you haven’t seen the thumbnail for 56 Days yet, it’s basically a mood board for “bad decisions.” It just dropped on Prime Video, and honestly? It’s exactly the kind of unhinged, “trashy-but-make-it-prestige” thriller we deserve right now.
Think Gone Girl meets a very dark rom-com that went off the rails. It’s based on Catherine Ryan Howard’s book, but the show swaps the Dublin setting for Boston, dials up the heat, and adds a lot more secrets.
The Setup (It’s Messy)
The show starts with a crime scene that is… well, it’s gross. A body is found in a bathtub, and it’s been there so long that even the cops are losing their lunch.
The story then jumps back and forth between Then and Now:
The “Then”: Ciara (Dove Cameron) and Oliver (Avan Jogia) meet in a grocery store. They’re both hot, weirdly secretive, and move in together after knowing each other for about five minutes.
The “Now”: Detectives are trying to figure out which one of them is dead in that tub and which one is currently on the run.
The “Ciara” Problem
Can we talk about Ciara for a second? Dove Cameron is leaned all the way into the “uncanny valley” vibe here. Honestly, she is super creepy.
It’s not just her personality—though she’s definitely calculating and has that “stares-at-you-while-you-sleep” energy—it’s the way she looks. She has this wide-eyed, porcelain-doll face that feels totally vacant one second and predatory the next. You never know if she’s falling in love or planning where to hide Oliver’s body. It’s genuinely unsettling to watch her move through the apartment like a ghost.
Why I’m Obsessed
The Chemistry is Fire: Despite Ciara being a total creep, her and Avan Jogia have that “we’re definitely going to ruin each other’s lives” energy that makes for great TV.
The “Who is the Victim?” Hook: Usually, you know who died and you’re looking for the killer. Here, the body is so decomposed that you spend half the season guessing who is actually in the tub. It keeps you constantly second-guessing who the “villain” really is.
It’s a Quick Binge: There are only eight episodes. You can easily knock this out on a rainy Saturday while questioning all your own dating choices.
The Verdict
Is it high art? No. Is it addictive as hell? Absolutely. It’s moody, it’s sleek, and the twists actually landed for me (even though I usually see them coming a mile away). If you like thrillers where everyone is lying and the lead actress gives you the actual creeps, you’re going to love this.
Quick Warning: If you’re a total book purist, be prepared—they changed a lot. But honestly? The show’s version of the ending is way more dramatic.
