Netflix Viewers Are Raving About Stay Close: The Crime Thriller Everyone Was Talking About
When Stay Close arrived on Netflix at the start of 2022, it quickly became the platform’s No. 1 series in the UK. Viewers were especially impressed by its unpredictable mystery, with some admitting they could not work out the ending before the final episode.
Based on Harlan Coben’s 2012 novel, the eight-part crime thriller follows Detective Broome, played by James Nesbitt, as he investigates the disappearance of a man. The case soon takes an unexpected turn when Broome discovers a connection to another disappearance from 17 years earlier.
That older case is particularly significant because it happened in the same location and remains the only investigation Broome has failed to solve. There is also a deeply personal complication: Broome is having an affair with the mother of the person who disappeared in the earlier case.
As the investigation develops, the story expands far beyond Broome and the latest missing-person case. Megan, played by Cush Jumbo, is a former stripper who has built a new life while keeping secrets about her past. Meanwhile, journalist Ray, portrayed by Richard Armitage, is searching for his missing girlfriend.
The investigation draws together a collection of police officers, criminals and other troubled characters, including Barbie and Ken, an unusual pair of killers known for their all-singing, all-dancing performances.
Viewers Praise the Twists
Across its eight episodes, Stay Close delivers a steady stream of revelations and unexpected turns. The Guardian had already called the series “irresistible,” and the reaction from Netflix viewers suggested that many agreed.
One viewer described it as “The best thing I’ve watched in a long time.”
Others were particularly impressed by the mystery at the heart of the story. One fan said it was the first time in a long while that they had reached the final episode of a murder mystery without figuring out the outcome in advance, adding that they “highly recommended” the series.
Another viewer praised the writing, saying the people behind Stay Close had “outdid themselves” because they could usually work out the twists in most thrillers.
The reaction continued on Twitter, where one viewer simply described the series as “absolutely wild.” At the time, Stay Close was topping Netflix’s UK chart.
Another fan offered a more detailed verdict, praising the gripping storyline and strong performances and calling it one of the best thrillers they had seen. They also singled out the ending as “Brilliant.”
With its tangled mystery, multiple secrets and unpredictable twists, Stay Close quickly established itself as one of Netflix’s standout crime thrillers at the beginning of 2022.
For more crime dramas and mysteries from the streamer, viewers can also explore the best Netflix shows.