Prime’s newest psychological thriller 56 Days is a heady mix of mystery and passion

📺 Five years after Catherine Ryan Howard’s novel 56 Days left readers reeling, Prime’s adaptation has us questioning everything and everyone — and just when we thought we had it figured out, we were handed twist after twist. The eight-episode psychological thriller lured us in with its fast-burning romance, but it quickly morphed into something much darker, messier, and infinitely more addictive.

The plot: The series follows two intertwined timelines: in the present day, detectives Lee Reardon (Karla Souza) and Karl Connolly (Dorian Crossmond Missick) investigate a body discovered inside Oliver Kennedy’s (Avan Jogia) luxury apartment. Meanwhile, the story rewinds through the previous 55 days, unpacking Oliver and Ciara Wyse’s (Dove Cameron) whirlwind romance one layer at a time.

What initially feels like a glossy romantic thriller slowly unravels into a web of false identities, manipulation, trauma, and moral ambiguity. Every character seems to be hiding something, and the show weaponizes that uncertainty brilliantly. One minute you’re rooting for Oliver and Ciara, the next you’re side-eyeing both of them, wondering who’s manipulating whom.

What we liked: 56 Days absolutely thrives on tension. The series keeps its foot firmly on the gas pedal, ending nearly every episode with some sort of reveal designed to send you spiraling into the next one immediately. We came for the sizzling romance but stayed for the ingenious plotting, compelling characters, and genuinely unpredictable twists.

Former Disney darling Dove Cameron and Nickelodeon alum Avan Jogia deliver performances far more nuanced than you might expect. Their chemistry feels believable enough to sell the romance, but unsettling enough to keep you suspicious. We also loved the dynamic between Detectives Reardon and Connolly, whose investigation added another layer of intrigue to the story and balanced out the romance-thriller chaos nicely.

The downside: The constant time jumps can occasionally become a little disorienting, especially during the middle of the season. Some supporting characters also seem to quietly disappear without much closure, leaving certain storylines feeling unfinished.

Our verdict: Twisty, addictive, and impossible to binge “casually,” 56 Days had us at the edge of our seats. Just when we thought we had the characters figured out, another reveal pulled the rug out from under us. Passionate, tense, and packed with standout performances, this one is worth adding to your weekend watchlist.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can stream 56 Days on Prime Video. Check out the trailer on YouTube (watch, runtime: 2:20).