Critic Reviews

Safe is one of those series, like HBO’s “Big Little Lies,” that focuses on the lives of the beautiful and the well-to-do. It doesn’t suggest the rich are just like us. It suggests they are even more miserable, and in the case of Safe, probably quite monstrous. That’s a story that translates just about everywhere, apparently.

With committed performances (some of which are clearly aware of the ludicrous story they’re in) and a brisk pace, Safe earns its status as a soapy pleasure and should entertain Netflix viewers craving engaging distraction.

"Safe" takes itself a bit too seriously now and then ... But overall, it tends to avoid the sloppy, meandering tendencies of its more prestige-driven TV brethren. It’s a highly watchable, semi-pulpy serial loaded with reveals, clues and cliffhangers, and the core cast is generally quite good.

Safe stays largely on the surface, as each of the parties chases down the next piece of evidence. Hall is fine, as the script moves him around the chessboard feverishly.

It's not overwhelmingly shocking, perceptive or funny. What keeps it watchable is the sense of unease or maybe inconsistency. Hall's performance is slightly off.