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Limited Series – The Girl Before

Play trailer 2:21 Poster for Limited Series – The Girl Before Dec 2021 Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
57% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
A young woman falls in love with an extraordinary minimalist house, but when she discovers that another damaged woman died in the same property three years earlier, she starts to wonder if her own story is just a rerun of the girl before.
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The Girl Before — Limited Series

The Girl Before — Limited Series

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Critics Consensus

Despite stellar performances from Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Jessica Plummer, The Girl Before fizzles as a mystery.

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Critics Reviews

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Judy Berman TIME Magazine Mar 1, 2022
While the last act doesn’t rise to the level of earlier episodes, stellar performances further elevate this chilly, cerebral, sophisticated psychological thriller. Go to Full Review
Sophie Gilbert The Atlantic Feb 12, 2022
Mbatha-Raw is so restrained and controlled as Jane that an eye roll from her can feel like an outburst. Oyelowo, similarly precise, is a terrifyingly charismatic and quiet authoritarian. Go to Full Review
John Anderson Wall Street Journal Feb 10, 2022
In addition to the rather glacial progression of Mr. Delaney’s adaptation, there’s the eternal fascination of real estate and the haunting question of just what one might do to get her mitts on affordable housing. Go to Full Review
Gemma Agravante Common Sense Media Apr 13, 2022
3/5
This relatively short 4-part psychological thriller delivers suspense and intrigue with an ending that satisfies. Go to Full Review
Valerie Ettenhofer Slashfilm Mar 30, 2022
Despite an ending that threatens to sour the entire endeavor, "The Girl Before" is still an immersive detour from the prescribed mystery miniseries blueprint. Go to Full Review
Lauren Coates The Playlist Mar 7, 2022
C-
While it may serve as suitable fodder for die-hard thriller enthusiasts, the shows ending is an unfulfilling jumble that disappoints any intrigue established by the admittedly strong opening episode. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Steven L @SCreview Sep 7, 2026 This is a slow burn drama based on a book. The acting is good but the plot isn't believable in the slightest - it's full of moments that would never happen in real life. This is a BBC production (aka very woke) which means the killer is obvious. None of the men is this series are good and the women make terrible decisions (that make little sense.) We're supposed to believe that two women, three years apart would sign up for a minimalistic apartment and fall for the same man (who let's be honest is odd), a man who might have murdered more than one person. Women will leave you for not putting the toilet seat down. But they'll stay with a nutcase like this! SPOILERS: why would Emma's old boyfriend Simon care about Jane? Why would he draw attention to himself? Why would he say anything to her? It's so contrived! Why would Emma lie about the rape? Why did she leave Simon? Contrived! David still had a hand in ex-wife's death, yet Jane stays with him. Flawed at the source. See more Tina S @Tinas413 Jun 19, 2025 I honestly love this show. I love a slow burn. May not be for everyone but this is my kind of show. See more Ayaa T @aya..22 Feb 23, 2022 A binge worthy series! I really liked the slow, smooth, fluid feeling that this show have. The acting is amazingly grabbing, you can't look away. It's visually stunning, and if it, at times, came as if it was somewhot aloof or distant...well, it sort of like both Edward and his house, so if anything that's a plus point to add to this overall experience. because if nothing else, this show really is an experience. I still have some mixed feelings about the twist at the end buy my goodness, this ending was just so powerful I could cry! See more Feb 13, 2022 Talk about slow burn. The first episode was OK but the following 3 were just plain stupid. Don't expect any excitement or action or thrills or anything like that. Just a lot of female crying and making dumb decisions that are usually reserved for characters in horror films. Ending was totally predictable but there aren't that many characters to begin with. There are so many holes in the story I refuse to list them all. I'd rather watch something good than continue writing a review. See more Valencia H @Valenciah2435 Feb 12, 2022 Keeps you on the edge of your seat !! A must watch !!! See more Feb 11, 2022 A binge worthy series with a beautiful ending. See more Read all reviews
The Girl Before — Limited Series

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Dec 19, 2021 Episode 1 Jane moves into a minimalist house, abiding by its architect's rules; when she learns her predecessor Emma died there, she worries her fate will be the same as the girl before. Details Episode 2 Aired Dec 20, 2021 Episode 2 Edward pursues relationships with both Jane and Emma; as Emma is forced to testify against her attacker, Jane visits Emma's therapist, where she learns she is in danger. Details Episode 3 Aired Dec 21, 2021 Episode 3 After receiving shocking news, Jane resolves to find out exactly what Edward knows about Emma's fate; the police pick apart the story of Emma's assault. Details Episode 4 Aired Dec 22, 2021 Episode 4 Jane learns the truth about Edward; as Emma's fate is revealed, Jane fights to ensure the deadly cycle of events doesn't claim her too. Details
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Season Info

Director
Lisa Brühlmann
Screenwriter
JP Delaney
Network
HBO Max
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Dec 19, 2021
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