Welcome, My Movievaures! Today, we’re exploring The Clearing, a gripping psychological thriller miniseries now available on Disney+. This series delves into the eerie world of cults and the psychological turmoil they inflict, promising a captivating ride for fans of mystery and suspense. Let’s break down what makes this show a must-watch.

The Clearing is an Australian psychological thriller miniseries inspired by the chilling true story of a real-life cult led by a female leader. It is based on J.P. Pomare’s book In the Clearing, which fictionalizes the story of the Australian cult group, The Family. In The Clearing, a woman is forced to confront the dark secrets of her past to prevent a cult from kidnapping children. The series weaves a complex tale of trauma, manipulation, and the struggle for freedom against a backdrop of eerie Australian settings.

The Clearing unfolds through a carefully constructed plot that combines elements of psychological horror with intense character-driven drama. Miranda Otto’s portrayal of the cult’s leader is particularly unsettling, providing a chilling anchor for the story. Teresa Palmer and Guy Pearce also shine in their roles, bringing depth and authenticity to the series The show’s direction by Walker and Otto ensures a moody and suspenseful atmosphere, with each episode peeling back layers of mystery and tension.

Since its release, The Clearing has garnered generally positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts an 89% approval rating based on 18 reviews, with an average rating of 6.5/10. Critics have praised the series for its setting and Otto’s performance, describing it as an eerie thriller with plenty to recommend. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 61 out of 100 based on 7 critics, indicating “generally favorable reviews”. The series has also received accolades, including nominations at the AACTA Awards for Best Miniseries and Best Lead Actress in a Drama for Teresa Palmer.

While I’m not on holidays in August, I wanted to take some time to start some shows I saved on Disney+. As you saw from my previous reviews, I’m a big fan of mystery, detective, and murder shows. So, when Disney’s algorithm pushed The Clearing on my feed, I was truly curious. And indeed, I was hooked within minutes.

A cult, children involved, and a disappearance—the whole plot is compelling. However, it’s true that some episodes feel like repetitions of previous ones. The middle part gets a bit too slow; I understand the importance of showing the main character’s anguish and the pressure from her “mommy”, but it did start to drag until the last two episodes. Nonetheless, the characters remain engaging, especially The Mother, and the ending had some interesting twists, even if it felt a bit abrupt.

The Clearing is a chilling, thought-provoking series that will intrigue fans of psychological thrillers and true crime stories. Have you watched The Clearing? What are your thoughts on the show? Share your opinions with me on the Movievaures Instagram page, and don’t forget to follow me for more reviews and updates on the latest in film and television!