Autopsy of a drama: Diane Kruger reigns in unease (review)
An injured baby, a doctor friend, a report to social services. On HBO Max, a new drama that examines the perfect mother, carried by an inscrutable Diane Kruger.
A simple trip to the emergency room turns into a maternal nightmare.
A prestigious new mini-series with striking intensity (developed by the English from Fremantle) is released today in full on HBO Max in France. Autopsy of a Drama (original title: Little Disaster) arrives with the familiar sound of a “premium” female domestic thriller. A polished image and a tense atmosphere, which ostensibly leans towards Big Little Lies and Little Fires Everywhere, these interchangeable cousins who enjoy deconstructing the concept of the perfect mother, while selling discomfort in chic packaging.
Haven’t we seen this a hundred times already?
The surprise is that Autopsy of a Drama does quite well. Directed by Icelandic Eva Sigurðardóttir, the mini-series (six episodes, therefore a tight narrative) first ticks all the boxes of the genre. Most of the plots seem to be inspired by American thrillers from the last ten years. But the execution is exciting enough to breathe new life into a somewhat tired genre.
The starting point is a total parenting nightmare. The one that haunts all parents: Jess, an American living in London and an ideal stay-at-home mother from every angle, arrives at the hospital with her crying baby. By a cruel coincidence, little Betsy is examined by Liz, a friend (played by Jo Joyner). The pediatrician initially believes in a trivial consultation. Jess calls it “a virus.” Except that Liz discovers a skull fracture, a sign of “significant physical violence”. She admits the baby to intensive care. And faced with the growing inconsistencies in Jess’s story, she makes the most heartbreaking decision possible: to report her friend for suspicion of child abuse.
From there, everything falls apart. The series goes back in time, exploring the thread of a friendship that ends badly. To better instill doubt in the viewer. While an investigation is opened, Jess is separated from her children. The heartbreaking drama begins. The tension increases. We’re on a tightrope. Is Jess a violent woman who ignores herself? An overwhelmed mother who has lost control? Or on the contrary a mother who is “too perfect” in the eyes of others, wrongly accused because the system needs someone to blame? Diane Kruger is impeccable, solid and fragile enough to remain unreadable for six episodes without letting any clues slip.
The great game of identification is in full swing. Did Liz do the right thing? What would we have done in his place? And us? Are we good parents?
It’s not the most original plot. But Autopsy of a Drama is told with more subtlety and precision than it seems. The formula is proven and proves here to be very effective and ultimately quite accurate when considering maternal mental health.
Autopsy of a drama, six episodes, watch on HBO Max.
