Prepare for a wild ride, folks! We're about to dive into a four-part mystery adventure that feels like a bloated, nonsensical rollercoaster. And the cherry on top? It's led by the talented Kaley Cuoco, who's here to save the day, or at least try!
Kaley, known for her iconic role in The Big Bang Theory and the thrilling The Flight Attendant, takes on a new challenge in Vanished. This time, she's Alice, an archaeologist with a normal life, which quickly takes a turn for the extraordinary. Sound familiar? It gets better (or worse, depending on your perspective)!
Alice's long-distance romance with the dashing Tom (Sam Claflin) is about to hit a snag. You see, Tom's a bit of a wanderer, and when Alice gets a job offer at Princeton, he's faced with a tough decision. Will he settle down, or will his wanderlust win? Well, he chooses the former, but then, in a twist of fate, he vanishes from the train to Marseille, leaving Alice confused and concerned.
Enter Helene, an investigative reporter who's also on the train. She helps Alice voice her concerns to the ticket inspector, but they're dismissed. Alice is left with no choice but to continue to Marseille and report Tom's disappearance to the police. Enter Monsieur Drax, a police inspector who's not too bothered by the case, assuming Tom ran away from commitment. Alice is rightfully annoyed, but Helene reminds her of her archaeological skills, and the hunt for clues begins.
As Alice delves into Tom's life, she uncovers a web of secrets, including dodgy hotel bills, phone records, and a mysterious woman with a matching tattoo. She tracks down Tom's former colleague, Alex Durand, who provides more insights, including tales of motorbike chases, suspicious deaths, and a murder frame-up. It's a whirlwind of events, and before you know it, the story comes to an abrupt halt.
Now, The Flight Attendant was a blast, blending comedy and suspense seamlessly. Cuoco shined as a hot mess hero, and we loved every minute of it. But Vanished feels like a pale attempt at recreating that magic. It lacks the depth and complexity that made The Flight Attendant so enjoyable. Cuoco does her best with the limited material, but it's a tough ask. Claflin, poor soul, has even less to work with, disappearing for most of the show, only to be seen in dull flashbacks.
So, should you give Vanished a go? If you're having a rough day and need a light, silly distraction, it might fit the bill. But let's hope both leads get a chance to shine in something more substantial soon.
Vanished is now streaming on Prime Video, and you can decide for yourself if it's worth the watch.
And remember, folks, every story has its critics and its fans. What do you think? Is Vanished a fun, light-hearted adventure, or a missed opportunity? Let's discuss in the comments!