An Italian summer holiday taken two decades ago comes back to haunt Catherine Ravenscroft, unearthing secrets she has kept buried for years. Alfonso Cuarón’s latest endeavor, “Disclaimer,” is a seven-part series on Apple TV+ that adapts Renée Knight’s compelling 2015 novel. The show stars the exceptional Cate Blanchett in one of her most riveting performances to date.
Blanchett portrays Catherine, whose past resurfaces when a mysterious novel appears on her doorstep, recounting the events of that fateful vacation. Leila George plays the younger Catherine in flashbacks, capturing her ill-fated romance with Jonathan, played by Louis Partridge. In the present, Jonathan’s father, portrayed by Kevin Kline, begins stalking Catherine to seek vengeance for the past.
Catherine’s husband, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, becomes increasingly unsettled as the lines between fiction and reality blur. Kodi Smit-McPhee joins the cast as their estranged, troubled son. The official trailer offers a glimpse into the tense and haunting atmosphere of the series.
Premiering at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, both Blanchett and Cuarón shared insights about the series with IndieWire. They described the project as feeling slightly “dangerous,” with Cuarón stating, “Probably at this stage of my life, it’s too late to learn how to direct TV.” He approached the series much like his films “Gravity” and “Roma,” treating it as a singular cinematic experience.
The series boasts stunning cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki and Bruno Delbonnel, transitioning seamlessly between the moody streets of London and the vibrant Italian coastline. Long takes capture intense scenes, from passionate encounters to frantic chases, enhancing the show’s emotional depth. The score by Finneas O’Connell adds an additional layer of suspense, particularly in the climactic episodes.
“Disclaimer” delves deep into themes of memory, guilt, and the inescapable nature of the past. As Catherine confronts the repercussions of her long-held secret, viewers are taken on a thrilling journey that questions reality and fiction.
The first two episodes of “Disclaimer” will premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday, October 11, with subsequent episodes releasing weekly.
