Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

I gave it a 7.5 out of 10

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

..this is BBC crime-drama at its best... ..all the way through, right up to the very end.. ..the writing and acting is perfect....this is a story having been told many times before.. ..but this time in a way that lets you feel is fresh....for a young actor only 25 years old.. ..she's done some substantial work.. check her credits.. ..she'd be a full-fledged star in this country.. ..better to stay put, and keep appearing in top notch work....bravo.. all round !!https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5159916/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

Generally speaking, there is a great first episode that hooks the viewer with an intriguing scenario; unfortunately, the story becomes progressively more unrealistic with just about all of the characters becoming incredible, particularly the lead detectives and their totally useless boss who never has anything helpful to say to his out-of- control subordinates. I feel sorry for these actors and I blame the writer for the tedious development of the story as it winds its way as a boring and far-too-long-drawn-out production. It could have been great but it earns just a 3 out of 10 because of it's excellent start, in spite of it's boring and slow continuance.

As I like both British and Scandinavian crime thrillers, I usually watch them by turns, largely relying on IMDb and Wikipedia assessments as life is too short for all of them anyway :) The one in question began to develop from the first moments - which I tend to prefer - and then, in following scenes, we obtained a versatile and realistic picture of both the life in captivity and the one of the rest of the abductee's family; due to certain subsequent events, the intrigue and misery continued, and both the police and the family had to deal with several shadows from the past and changes in the present. Well, the pace was sometimes uneven, particularly in the final episode, when about 3/4 was too slow and then last 1/4 seemed to round up the story in a certain rush. In my opinion, the total of almost 5 hours could be easily reduced by one-fifth or even one-fourth, without impairing the general concept, mood and course of events.As for performances, the series is strongly dominated by the female lead - Ivy Moxam (Jodie Comer), who is present both visibly and in the minds of all people around her and dealing with her case. The rest were not too memorable, I recalled I had seen Stuart Graham a couple of times in some films and series, and that's it. Apparently the sketchiness of supporting characters did not enable the actors and actresses to "open out"; even the accused was not so special.Thus, perhaps a 1-episode-too-long, but still a good suspense series by BBC, referring to Scandinavian Noir in many aspects. However, those fond of constant chases, shootings and obtrusive cops should probably find something else.

The BBC mini-series Thirteen (available online) follows 26-year-old Ivy Moxam, who was held captive in a cellar for thirteen years. After escaping from her attacker's prison, she returns to her family home outside of London, but struggles to put her life back together. There is an uncanny resemblance to the story in the American television series, The Family.Thirteen presents the police investigation as a secondary plot and focuses on the victim's situation and psychology, touching upon the Stockholm syndrome and the fragility and unreliability of memory. Everyone closely associated with the crime is also, in some way, a victim. Read the entire review -- "Thirteen"--"An Unlucky Life" at: www.unhealedwound.com and let me know what you think!