Fake review based on episodes 1 and 2.
What does trust look like to you? That's the question that food journalist Birdie Bell poses moments into the chilling, online-dating drama Fake.
Viewers will soon come to learn that trust is something that Birdie has to will into being. Something she must deceive herself into, despite her stirring instincts to the contrary.
Fake has been inspired by the bestselling book of the same name by Stephanie Wood. When the series was first released in Australia, it became the biggest first-week launch of a local drama since Paramount+ arrived there – breaking a streaming record.
The drama follows Birdie (played by (Asher Keddie) and Joe's (played by David Wenham) relationship across eight episodes, as it evolves into something nightmarish.
The signs are there early on and Fake cleverly draws them out right away with the whimsical soundtrack that tinkles in the background as Birdie sets off on her first date with Joe.
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Somewhere in that playful tune are notes which sound off-kilter, as if to capture both the trepidation and hope of online dating. The swell of uncertainty mixed with nervous excitement feels apt as Birdie opens the app to respond to Joe's messages and immediately gets the ick before Googling him.
Despite a jerky first date, his manipulative games are insidious enough to keep this love affair ticking along.
Wenham is delicious as the subtly-sinister Joe. He makes your skin crawl, while laying the romance on thick. His good-guy guise is almost refined, save for the odd tell. Joe's love bombing has the essence of charm, but still sets your back teeth on edge. He's pushy, but not too pushy, romantic, yet a little overwhelming at times. His whole personality is a dichotomy, and because of this Birdie falls into the trap of second-guessing only to then question her own doubts.
At this, Keddie is magnetic, drawing empathy with her depiction of the insecure, inadequately loved Birdie.
The assertiveness and drive that comes alive from her at work is ground down in her personal relationships, where she seeks validation and approval. Birdie minimises her wants, needs and her sense of self, slowly absorbing Joe's until you begin to question who is actually in control of her feelings.
Fake's insightful exploration of a woman's relationship with love is cross generational, and comes into focus not just through Birdie's arc with Joe but through her revealing conversations with her mother and her friend's young daughter.
These moments hint at problematic and systemic lessons, which could be ingrained as early as childhood; romantic ideals without context, that blossom unhealthily later in adulthood.
Fake is anything but a soapy, comfortable watch. It will leave you aggravated on Birdie's behalf, with a lingering feeling of deep sympathy.
But, like Joe, it is also subtly gripping. Expect to be effortlessly locked in, for what promises to be a thrilling ride.
Fake will stream on ITVX from 27 April, and air weekly on ITV1 on Saturday evenings from 3 May.
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TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
