Coldwater

There’s certainly some gripes to have with Coldwater, every now and again doing something so wild it throws you out of the realistic world that’s been created, and sometimes edging over the thrilling-ridiculous line in the wrong direction. But it does pull itself back when it needs to, creating a show that is all too easy to want more of.

Later episodes the sheer craziness occasionally threatens to overwhelm the dramatic structure. But the taut way in which Ireland mixes believable domesticity with moments of almost grand guignol horror, alongside the excellent ensemble performances, mean the reins are held tightly enough to make this bold and ballsy show just about work.

It follows the beats of a straightforward drama but there are overtones of horror and moments of off-kilter comedy that give Coldwater an unsettling tone.

There’s a lot of entertaining weirdness going on in Coldwater, so much so that the problems we have with the characters and plotting might end up being overridden by it. So, even if the show isn’t all that good, it might still be fun to watch.

It’s quality hokum.

Despite some interest in examining the issue of violence against women through the prism of the psychological thriller, Coldwater ends up rushed and schlocky, like so much that is carelessly put out on British TV.

It takes the serious subjects of PTSD and anger management and twists them into grim parody.