Is 'Surface' Worth Watching? A Detective Drama Exploring Life After a Failed Suicide Attempt

'Surface' is a slow-moving yet stylish narrative about mistrust among loved ones and the journey of self-exploration.

On July 29, Apple TV+ released the first three episodes of 'Surface,' a series centered on a woman who loses her memory following a suicide attempt.

The eight-episode project is produced by Lauren Levy, known for 'Big Little Lies,' along with Reese Witherspoon and Veronica West, who also serves as the showrunner and writer. West's previous work includes 'The Melomanic' and 'Dexter: New Blood.' The lead role is portrayed by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, recognized for her performance in 'Black Mirror.'

Struggling with panic attacks, Sophie attempts to rebuild her life. Supported by her psychologist, wealthy investor husband, and close friend, she seeks to return to her former self. However, Sophie grapples with understanding why she tried to end her life. As those around her avoid discussing the painful topic, she is forced to confront her past alone, leading her to question whether her suicide attempt was genuine.

Strengths of 'Surface'

The series offers several compelling elements that might encourage viewers to watch the entire show.

Outstanding Performance by Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Gugu Mbatha-Raw shines as Sophie in her first major leading role, delivering nuanced performances in every scene. She adds complexity and contradictions to her character, who is suspicious yet deeply yearning to trust someone. Sophie struggles to genuinely love her husband and communicate honestly with her friend, as her memory of them is fragmented. Mbatha-Raw effectively conveys these emotions with subtlety, creating a palpable emotional distance between Sophie and other characters.

Stylish Cinematography

Although set in sunny San Francisco, the series adopts a moody visual tone. Interiors feature muted lighting, while outdoor scenes utilize distinctive color grading, resulting in a melancholic atmosphere.

The costume design is particularly impressive, assembling an extensive wardrobe for Sophie. The series often resembles a fashion catalog, with one elegant outfit replacing another. Sophie's clothing serves as one of the few insights into her personality, revealing aspects of her past, preferences, and lifestyle amid subdued dialogue.

Scene from 'Surface' series

Challenges Facing 'Surface'

While the first episode introduces an intriguing premise with multiple potential storylines, the series loses momentum by the second episode, becoming less engaging.

Slow Pacing

The deliberate pacing in the initial episode allows viewers to empathize with Sophie's pain and her difficulty accepting her reality. However, subsequent episodes maintain this slow tempo despite Sophie's evolving, fearless, and proactive demeanor—changes that lack clear explanation.

The narrative contains few events, focusing mainly on conversations. Sophie interacts with three key individuals who each provide fragmented pieces of her past. For unexplained reasons, she avoids in-depth discussions with any of them, instead extracting small bits of information before ending conversations. This approach fragments the storyline into slow-moving, disconnected dialogues.

Repetitive Patterns

By the middle of the second episode, the series falls into repetitive patterns. Sophie’s interactions with her three confidants follow a predictable cycle: one advises distrust of another, leading Sophie to alternate her trust among them endlessly.

Almost every dialogue involves Sophie catching someone in a lie, yet a brief justification quickly restores her trust, perpetuating the cycle.

Predictable Plot

The writers create the illusion of plot twists, but viewers can anticipate developments early on. For instance, Sophie suspects her husband lied about his whereabouts during her suicide attempt. By episode three, she confirms this via a simple online search, yet the reveal is presented as a shocking moment despite being obvious to the audience.

Interestingly, the series inadvertently spoils itself through camera work: close-ups signal deception, while medium shots indicate honesty. This visual cue, noticeable from the first episode, reduces suspense.

Underdeveloped Characters

Although Sophie is the only character with memory loss, others behave as if they too have forgotten key details.

Oliver Jackson-Cohen portrays Sophie’s husband, who appears unnatural and unengaging from the outset. His character is dull, antagonistic, and uninteresting, with hints of a wealthy man hiding secrets.

Erin Graynor, playing Sophie’s best friend, also fails to bring vitality to her role.

These shortcomings stem from both the writing and acting, but the lead actress’s performance stands out, highlighting her talent amidst an otherwise flat ensemble.

Should You Watch 'Surface'?

The premiere episode captivates, but the series loses its spark midway through the second episode. The predictable storyline, slow pacing, and repetitive narrative structure make 'Surface' a challenging watch for those seeking gripping drama.

While Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s performance is a highlight, it cannot fully compensate for the show’s flaws.

'Surface' may serve better as background viewing, with only occasional focus needed during dialogues. Otherwise, the screen often remains still, and the series risks becoming monotonous upon close attention.

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