The Victim (2019) User Reviews

Exceptional drama.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 16 April 2019]

This is an absolutely superb four part drama, that will have you moved, gripped and definitely captivated. It's an interesting insight into the proceedings of the Scottish legal system, and deals with a tragic, but fascinating case.

Episodes one to three are terrific, the fourth part is sensational, one of the best dramas I've seen in a while. The acting is outstanding, particularly Kelly MacDonald, who is incredibly impressive, as always.

Beautifully made, it doesn't have a single dull moment, it's very moving, and will have you questioning motives, and changing your preconceived ideas about the characters.

This is not to be missed. 9/10

A masterpiece that can never get the praise that it deserves

[dnlampos · 9/10 · 17 July 2019]

If it was a movie instead of a short series everyone would be talking about it. And it very easily could have been as, and this is the only fault I can find, some characters did not need to even be part of the story. As it is, it will never get the praise that the story and storytelling of this gem deserves, simply because it is one of the many tv series that come out every year. Amazing story, with multiple twists, brilliant acting by everyone, especially the 2 antagonists, and above all, a deep, humane message not simply to be found or be served, but to be slowly and masterfully extracted until the very last phrase of dialogue. A must see.

Riveting Last 20 Minutes

[theybyrne · 9/10 · 17 April 2019]

Thought this was a good, solid drama, with enough twists and turns to make you want to watch each episode. But wow, the last episode was like a roller coaster ride! If there is a better last 20 minutes of a drama in 2019, I would like to see it...

Hurt people hurt people.

[LawlessHeart123 · 10/10 · 11 April 2019]

Wow ... what an amazing series. I was gripped from start to finish. Kudos to everyone involved with the making of this series, not least, the fantastic actors, writers and the BBC itself. It's shows like this that justify the licence fee.

A conversation about right and wrong

[richmann-28342 · 8/10 · 12 April 2019]

Watch it. Please. It's a great examination of human behavior.

The dialog is worth it and may mean something to you.

When Anna's husband tried to explain to her how her refusal to consider she may be wrong, and how her anger wrongly affected her and her family... hit home. So often we can not admit we are wrong in our assumptions.

Great show and well done... well done.

DNA/Fingerprints...

[cheekymonkey1275 · 7/10 · 11 April 2019]

I wish people would watch a programme properly before making ignorant reviews! Those that have mentioned DNA or fingerprints, or have even referred to Craig Myers as 'the accused'. Are you watching the same show?! It was Anna on trial! Eddie J Turner was granted anonymity after his release from prison so the defence wouldn't be able to request such evidence and neither would the prosecution (not that they'd want to). But the main point is he wasn't on trial, he didn't have to prove who he was or wasn't, he just had to give evidence about the attack on him. Regardless of his identity, the trial was about whether Anna incited the attack. Personally I really enjoyed this show and thought the acting was good. As for the camera work, I didn't have a problem with it, I think some people are far too critical thinking themselves as Spielberg in the making.

Amazing!

[enderlein-25351 · 9/10 · 21 April 2019]

Last 20 minutes could have saved even the worst series ever.

So intense, gripping, sad and powerful.

The acting throughout was incredible.

4 episodes only. Can easily be watched in one sitting. And you will most likely be crying at the end. I did. 😥

Brilliant Drama, but....

[sdt4944 · 7/10 · 13 July 2020]

I found it hard to believe that Anna had not been in the courtroom when Eddie was charged and sentenced to prison! With all the media coverage etc., surely somebody knew who the real Eddie was if he supposedly returned to the same town. That being said, it was incredibly well acted by all, though I still struggle with time flipping back and forth. It is not very often that I don't enjoy an English/Scottish/Irish production...biggest issue sometimes...understanding the accents 😉

Really, really good.

[ManofClay64 · 9/10 · 3 May 2019]

Not a case of identity, but how we deal with grief, remorse, anger... One or two of the confrontations seemed a little theatrical (lone meetings in remote spots etc.), but this aside a thoughtful, harrowing, and relentless exploration of the aftermath of a terrible personal tragedy. Well done to all involved.

Who is the victim?

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 11 April 2019]

The first three episodes did not do much for me. Anna Dean (Kelly Macdonald) is a nurse whose life ended in turmoil when her young son was killed 15 years ago by a 14 year old boy.

Now Anna Dean stands trial for leaking the identity of a man who she thinks killed her son all those years ago. The killer's identity is protected under the law after he was released from incarceration.

Craig Myers (James Harkness) was badly beaten up by vigilantes who thought he was the killer of Anna's son.

Even though he is the victim, Craig has to deny at court that he is a child killer. Even at her trial Anna Dean is not convinced that it is a case of mistaken identity. She really believes that Craig Myers is the new identity of her son's murderer.

Both MacDonald and Harkness step up the plate in the final stages of this drama. The concluding part of Episode 4 was a hard watch. It was obviously inspired by the real life James Bulger case and raised moral and ethical issues.

Don't understand how anyone could give a bad review!

[hollycunningham-11713 · 10/10 · 11 April 2019]

This was outstanding! Really gripping and relevant story line. Acting was great as was the camera work. The people who are saying they should have done a DNA test or used finger prints ????? I think you watched the wrong show or you haven't been paying attention cause you clearly don't even understand the point of the show. Excellent work and great to see a proper Scottish cast not changing their accent just for main stream tv. Absolutely loved it!

Interesting but frustrating to watch

[berriesnpie · 6/10 · 4 November 2022]

This is a layered drama that has way more nuance than we usually see in UK crime dramas. It made me like characters that I never thought I would, like the crusader cop accused of sexual harassment. I was completed sucked in and watched most of it in one night.

Kelly MacDonald's acting is vivid, but I found her character delusional and unsympathetic for most of the show. I think the script just assumed that being the mother of a murdered child would make viewers empathize so they instead gave her a bunch of selfish and illogical behavior to make her appear more morally grey. But she was so awful to her current children that I struggled to get past that.

Not too realistic

[nyobatusa · 5/10 · 24 June 2020]

Eventhough it is worth watching due the little twist at the end and fantastic acting, I still find this emotional drama a bit unrealistic. It is hard to believe the guy has aggressively stabbed a boy only because of his innocent interest and trying to help him. His reaction and his remorse as an adult are two different personalities not compatible and therefore not realistic. It makes for a good drama though. So Judge for yourselves.

Emotional rollercoaster

[muamba_eats_toast · 10/10 · 9 July 2019]

Really gets down to the core of what's right and wrong while dragging you side to side emotionally with phenomenal performances and character arcs throughout. An amazing mini series.

DNA and Fingerprints aren't plot holes!

[john-4375 · 8/10 · 12 April 2019]

To those talking about fingerprints, DNA and so on, I should remind them that Craig Myers was protected by law from having any details about him from being revealed once he had been released with a new identity. Even if there was any kind of forensic evidence about him, it wouldn't have been accessible by Anna Craig or anyone else for that matter.

There is a legal precedent for this in the UK in the case of the two murderers of Jamie Bulger; both of them, being minors at the time of the commission of the crime, were eventually released on license as young men, with fresh identities to protect them against revenge attacks. This doesn't happen that often in Britain, but it DOES happen in extreme circumstances.

That said (thus hopefully closing what some people seem to be claiming is a plot hole), this drama isn't so much about crime as about coming to terms, both for the criminal and the victim's mother, with the consequences of that crime, and as such I found it both moving and convincing: 8/10.

A little predictable but...

[SurreyReviewsUK · 7/10 · 23 April 2019]

Worth a watch. The pace matched the content and built the frustration well. Some good solid performances and the script was ok (a little clunky in places but still ok). The main female lead was very realistic, shame she was surrounded by weak characters. Won't bother watching again, but worth a watch if you've not seen it - better to watch this than the awful The Widow (wow does that programme stink)

Heartbreaking story told brilliantly

[anna-krecichwost · 10/10 · 11 April 2019]

One of the most heartbreaking stories I have watched of late. Outstanding script with superb acting! Gripping, holding in suspense with many twists. Just brilliant story telling. Story that will stay with me for a long time.

Interesting but flawed

[dzeilstra · 6/10 · 13 August 2021]

A woman who lost her son 14 years ago thinks she found the murderer who served his term and got a new identity. She is behind an attack on him and stands trial. Not the attacked but she is the one on trial. On the other hand what looms over the whole series is that it should have been easy to prove or disprove the identity of the man attacked and get that out of the way. It is very unconvincing that this was not done. The acting is good but the cinematography was poor, this is not the first time in a BBC series. Tell the cameramen to sober up and give them a tripod.

Amazing drama

[keith-618 · 10/10 · 19 May 2019]

Other reviews have said this is an amazing piece of Scottish drama. They're wrong, this is an amazing piece of international drama. It is first rate in every respect. We're not lead by the nose by the writer or the director in the direction we should think. The production credits the viewer with intelligence. It's truthful and dramatic with some superlative acting. The final episode contains some of the best writing and acting I've seen on TV in a long time.

This is good.

[pronto1966 · 7/10 · 17 April 2021]

My wife and I really enjoyed watching this 4 episode mini series over the weekend.

The acting is superb, story and character development is great. My only gripe was that they would sometimes jump around the timeline a little too much. Especially at the beginning when you are still trying to figure out who everyone is and what their relationship is with each other.

But those pieces soon start falling into place. Or so you think. In this kind of show, you expect plot twists and 'who's the real bad guy' threads that eventually unravel. Most shows/series never seem to get that part right, with things usually being too predictable or unbelievable. It isn't perfect here, but it's well above average.

This series def has you guessing and second guessing. Not only who the bad actors are. But also raises intelligent questions about what you think real justice is and explores the pain of the victims of crime, and how well the justice system (mis)handles them. It brings those questions up again as more of the story unfolds. Do you rush to judgement? Do you rush to someone's defense? Is real forgiveness even possible?

It's a very good series and well worth the time to watch.

So sad.

[aprilmike-51991 · 8/10 · 2 June 2019]

Even though you may suspect how it will end it wont disappoint. Outstanding acting from all. Deep and moving, you can feel the sadness oosing out of the screen. Watch with a box of tissues in your hand.

Unique

[jnnyb · 7/10 · 26 September 2020]

Not a detective show, but there are detectives, not crime drama, but there is plenty of drama and some crime. Not a murder mystery either, but has both. Hard to classify, but brings interesting perspectives in a short watchable series. Not on a must watchlist for me, but I seriously doubt a person could watch the first episode and not be drawn in enough to sit through, and mostly enjoy, the remainder. Filming is decidedly UK with colors as moods and camera shots coming in from close and awkward angles for effect. Give it a go.

Great Acting - Great Story - But 2 Episodes Too Long.....

[celano_james · 5/10 · 22 October 2020]

The acting is as great as you would expect with this cast. You will certainly go through a range of emotions for all of the main characters including, sympathy, disgust, anger, fear, and sadness which speaks to their ability to illicit these emotions.

The story is very well thought out and compelling. This is the classic tale of right and wrong and how each is subject to the fluidity of judgement not only of the perspective from which we are watching but also the circumstances surrounding each character as our perspective changes.....I'm trying to be spoiler free so my apologies for the ambiguity

The problem I have with this show is the ending: I have NO PROBLEM with endings that leave loose ends or that don't make you feel good. The problem I have with this story is the fact that so many of the characters that you have invested in simply have zero resolution or even "point" of being there at all. If you consider the main "police" character....what was his point....why was the storyline with his ex-wife even relevant....what did he actually "DO" to add to the story given how his character arc simply fizzled out without any meaning whatsoever?

If this was just ONE character it would be forgivable but there are at least 3 other characters who's entire purpose was meaningless based on how they ended this show.

It is like they ran out of money for the actors at the last second and cut to a pithy quote by RUMI hoping to leave you with a sense of "figure it out" when all you really felt was that this story dragged you along for two more episodes than necessary with character development for characters who ended up being meaningless and irrelevant.

Nuanced and emphatic

[cherry_town · 9/10 · 2 May 2019]

The concluding scene nails into you so deep you do not notice credentials start running the screen. Nuanced, complex crescendo reminding you the world is far from being white and black. And the evil is not always coal black and the good is far from being glaringly white. Top of British TV drama

Worth watch

[astik69 · 9/10 · 2 May 2019]

Finally a series worth watching till the beautiful ending.