User Reviews

For me the acting, cast, direction, and production values are all fine, it's the script that is the problem. I've watched 5 episodes so far and I'm really struggling to get much further, it's becoming repetitive and less interesting as it goes on. As soon as I heard Cowboy Junkies Sweet Jane being played around episode 2 or 3 they really lost me, it just reminded me how cliche the show was. That was an edgy song for mainstream movies in the 2000's, it's just really unimaginative in the 2020's. And that is what the whole script lacks, imagination. The writers needed to go on some kind of Thai full moon party retreat or Peruvian assisted mediation camp. I'm sorry guys, love seeing Lithgow, but the show is boring me to tears.

I blindly walked into this series with no expectations. I finished this series and am all the better for it. Tears and laughs, joy and pain, love and heartache, it all happened, and as unexpected as they were, they were the result of the believability of the situations, presented in a somewhat unbelievable way.

If you want to escape over budgeted flicks with eye popping CGI and effects, if you want to dive into a corner of the world with real probelms that's all hidden behind a curtain of mystery and wonder, check out this series.

The acting is great, the plot is fun and touching in a way that is rarely seen in television today. And best of all, finish it and your heart will be lighter, your smile bigger, and your step into life outside the screen will be just a little bit better for it.

This story is a bit hard to swallow and I'm bailing 2/3 through episode 3. Too few of the characters have any depth or believability and the over-acting is becoming more annoying as the show goes on. It's hard to empathise with the lead actor William McKenna or his boring friends but somehow the actor playing the old lady who dances on the porch at least brought a spark of reality to her scenes. How the messages come to Ed or the backstories of his alcoholic father's demise, his Mom's bitterness, his friend's mental illness, are things which I don't care about due to the poor writing, directing and performances.

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There are moments in The Messenger that are some of the most beautiful and heartfelt I have seen on television. I am talking about the young actors who play the four friends, each undergoing unresolved crises in their lives. The interplay between them is wonderful to watch, wrenching at times. None more so than William McKenna who plays the titular role and nails his character with a gifted array of non-verbal communication, a glance here, an anguished look there. He is never less than compelling to watch and surely great things lie ahead of him.

The series is a nice change from the usual fare and it is good to see quality Australian drama. Production values are top notch and cinematographer Geoff Hall evokes a period feel even though the story is rooted in the present.

The episodes unfold slowly and there is a dip in momentum about half-way through, but stay with it as the final episodes resolve into a satisfyingly warm conclusion that will stay with you for a long time.

I love this cast. A stunning bunch of Australian actors - bringing to life a script that has nuance, power, and love. It's fanciful, kind, and surprising. It's a relief to sit with characters who aim to succeed with thought and gentility- without always getting it right. A show to sink into.

This show peels away at noise, and tries to remind you what it's like to feel. To close your eyes and remember your best relationships. To remember how to want to seize the best things. And weed the garden of crap things.

If you want The Fast and The Furious... this isn't it. But maybe if you want a break from it, this is for you. If you squint, you can see yourself in every nicely drawn character here. Loved it.

I binged this series across two days and loved it. It was quirky, charming and offbeat. It expertly borrowed genre elements from mystery, drama, dark comedy and coming-of-age to create an entirely new world that felt fresh and original.

William Mckenna's performance as Ed was a clear standout. He brought a warmth and humourous charm to the screen that always had me rooting for his character.

This show makes me so excited about the direction Australian Television is going in.

If you're looking for a feel-good but also feel-everything (joy, heartache, laughter, tears) kind of series, look no further than The Messenger.

Here's hoping there is a s02!

The tale completes after 8 episodes. It's a mini series, not a yearly tv show. All loose ends are tied neatly at the end. I do see a tendency for others to stop watching after or 3 episodes, . But if you simply march past you will be glad you did. Everything happened for a reason, there is no filler.

It is a whimsical tale, with flawed human beings coping as they can. It is also a tale of deep friendship, and deep loyalty. This is one of the most rewarding parts of the series. Friendship is a strong glue here.

The lead character has a natural caring warm personality, and can be selfless to a fault. He does not force it. It is who he is. The friends love each other, and where it may go further it does not hurt their deep friendship.

This is a great family watch for awards 14 and up. There are a small number sexual encounters though no nudity and brief. More implied than acted out. There is mild cursing , also used sparingly. The show manages to touch upon a wide number of social issues and coming of age topics.

The ending is satisfying and worth the journey. Acting is superb.

Wonderful adaptation of Marcus Zusak's novel. Even better than the book. I loved the writing, the fabulous characters and people I actually cared about.

Will McKenna is a beautiful actor, so incredibly watchable. He was supported by an amazing ensemble. So lovely to see a feel good Australian series with a big heart.

So many great moments and imagery, the multi coloured pills falling from the sky, raining down on Ritchie, and the whole scene with Ritchie showing Ed her typical day, seeing all the magic in the ordinary.

It's a show that gets better and better, the last two episodes are brilliant. I laughed and I cried in equal measures.

Loving this series so far. Fantastic cast. The 4 main young characters are so good and they have such chemistry onscreen, some great young actors. Also some older familiar actors are terrific too. Should be getting higher reviews. Such an interesting story line and loving the mystery and drama with a twist of comedy thrown in. Perfect balance.

I haven't come to the end yet so I'm hoping for either a good end or a second series. I've heard there's a book which I have not read.

Keep making more Aussie series please! We have such talent here! Not forgetting our fellow New Zealanders awesome actors here too!!

I found the description intriguing. Reminded me to Ruby and the fountain. I liked that and indeed it is similar but for grown ups.

I found the acting very good, the characters are all likable and believable. Never seen them before in other movies or series but they all act great.

I do not understand some of the other reviews.

I am 60 and probably it depends how old you are and what your experiences in live are if you enjoy this or not.

I really can not say anything bad about this series. I watched every episode with joy. I only wonder how Ed the main character earns his money. But then again i can say that for all TV shows.

I hope there will be a second season.

I came across this show following Will McKenna's impressive turn in Queen of Oz, and expected fully for his character to be the one I identified most with. The performances of the main cast were so enthralling overall that it is nigh-on impossible not to find yourself relating to each one of them by the time the eight outings are up. A sign of a series with strong characterisation is one in which you can root for not just one but multiple characters and critique them for their flaws, helped by their being portrayed so convincingly. Kartanya Maynard in particular, who also featured in the brilliant Deadloch, shines brightly during the series and is destined for great things. Maggie Dence, as well, is exceptional. I found myself often rewinding the programme to fully bask the power of each cast member's portrayal and any nuances they injected into their characters that I may have missed, appreciating their committal to those they were responsible for inhabiting, and their dedication to delivering such compelling performances, more and more in the process.

Being so engrossed and enraptured by the series means its flaws are more frustrating than deserving of being pointed out maliciously or with any degree of mockery. The series' first and last few episodes are brilliant, with taut writing that ensures you keep watching (the second and sixth episodes, with special mention also going to the eighth, are some of the best pieces of television I've watched in some time). It's just a shame the drama, and the sheer intensity of it, that powers the series' first two episodes - and creates their urgent, 'must-watch' nature - dissipates as it approaches the halfway mark, and consequently the show finds itself in a position of unintentionally convincing viewers to lose the drive to continue with it; the third and fourth episodes feature stories that are comparatively less dramatic than the opening couple episodes - humdrum to the point of feeling like a midseason US drama with a constant air of 'this won't survive its run' - and therefore unhelpfully provide viewers with a sense the rest of the series won't live up to its captivatingly intense start.

Viewers are handsomely rewarded by sticking with it, though, and are quickly sucked back in as the series steps up a gear in its final half; however, the satisfaction that comes from the series' general narrative, and the lessons it wants those watching to take from it, coming into view is affected by the time it takes to get to that point - although I can appreciate if that was a deliberate attempt by the writers, as it also reflects how long it takes for the characters to learn those same lessons, accept how they need to change as a result, and ensure the series concludes satisfyingly. As the show is based on a novel intended for young adults (disclaimer: which I haven't read), it also leads to, on occasions, the show's intended message being delivered in a somewhat simplistic and reductionist manner - and causes it to drag or feel consistently underpowered in places, as if the show can't go full pelt in what it might want to do for fear of going beyond what may be appropriate for such an audience - but this is never achieved in a way that insults audients of any age.

While I'd welcome for more tales coming from the series, the disappointing ratings alone probably mean I shouldn't get my hopes up. I'm not sure it needs to continue - especially if there's no source material to draw from that means the story may not be open to or supportive of another series, and so may not live up to its first. The eight episodes given to us were, on the whole, great, both heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure, life-affirming and imbued appreciated introspection in those who have experienced similar things to the characters; more would be desirable if I could be sure another go-around is as nuanced and engaging, as by the end I was already regretting the prospect of closing the door on these characters, and actually find myself missing spending time with them.