Whispers

Whispers is a gripping psychological thriller television series that premiered on Netflix in 2020. Boasting of an all Saudi Arabian cast and crew, the series is an ambitious offering from the streaming giant as its first original series in the Arabic language. It extensively highlights the culture and societal norms of the country, providing the international audience with a captivating glimpse of Saudi life.

The plot of Whispers unfurls across eight suspense-laden episodes, each filled with intriguing puzzles and mysteries that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. But at the heart of all, it is a story about humanity, complex relationships, and inner demons. Told from multiple perspectives, the narrative primarily revolves around a wealthy family dealing with the sudden and unexpected demise of the patriarch, Hassan. What could have been a straightforward loss is complicated by the arrival of an anonymous character that starts to reveal every family member's secrets one by one through a series of whispers, secrets that could potentially tear the family apart.

The anonymous character delves into the family members' lives and eerily seems to know every detail about them. This mysterious individual communicates through an app, sending cryptic messages and hinting at shocking clandestine activities. The element of digital communication adds a modern twist to the traditional mystery tale and mirrors the growing prominence of technology in contemporary society. The interaction between the characters and this unidentified entity catapults the series' narrative engagingly and compellingly, resulting in a combination of fear, doubt, and deep suspense.

The character development in Whispers is commendable. Each character is deeply etched and has a substantial backstory, making these characters more real and relatable. From the widowed mother grappling with the recent loss of her husband and the weight of some long-held secrets, to the deceased Hassan's business partner raising older accusations against Hassan's business ethics, each character's arc is resolved expertly.

Director Hana Alomair deserves special mention for her deft handling of the material. Her understanding of her cultural milieu combined with her problem-solving aesthetic, have resulted in an intricately constructed story which is an intriguing blend of suspense, mystery and drama genres. The cinematography, with its blend of high and low-intensity shots, contributes well to complement the underlying unease and suspense. The visuals are efficient at conveying emotions and depicting suspense in their fullest form.

Set primarily in present-day bustling Riyadh, the show takes viewers on a unique tour of Saudi Arabia, offering authentic local insights from a standpoint that has never been explored before. The series explores the shift in how contemporary Saudi families live, with modern aspirations and struggles, and yet are rooted in their rich culture. The normalcy of their daily life against a backdrop of social and cultural authenticity is built into the plot, giving viewers an experience that goes beyond just the storyline.

The soundtrack composed by the brilliant Khalid Alomair fills the voids with an intriguing and intense score that beautifully complements the unfolding mystery. The series is punctuated with this spine-chilling score that further enhances the suspense and adds depth to the eerie ambience.

While on its surface Whispers might seem like a whodunit mystery, it goes much beyond just solving a mystery or unveiling the identity of its anonymous character. It explores the themes of death, grief, manipulation, familial bonds, trust, betrayal, and most importantly secrets. It is an eye-opening journey into the human psych that delves into what people are capable of when corners are turned, and secrets are about to be revealed.

In conclusion, Whispers is an unpredictable psychological thriller that takes a deep, hard look at human nature while also reflecting upon the rich Saudi Arabian culture, making for a meticulous blend of suspense, societal norms, and human emotions. Its engrossing story, realistic characters, and brilliant visual storytelling make Whispers a must-watch for not only fans of the genre but for anyone interested in new cinematic horizons and cultural explorations.