Nabbing its cues from the charm of Sex and the City and the chills of It Follows, "Laid" presents a curious tale of a romantically distraught woman and the strange deaths of her former partners. Stephanie Hsu brings to life Ruby, a desperate serial dater who navigates the complicated waters of modern love yet always fails to find the right companion. Ruby’s love life takes a shocking turn when her exes begin to die out in the very order she was intimate with them, pushing her to question her role in these bizarre incidents.
The series, a fresh interpretation of an identically titled Australian series, crafts an engaging narrative centered on the insecurities and anxieties of contemporary millennial relationships. Teetering between romantic mishaps and uncanny deaths, Ruby's life becomes a whirlwind of uncertainty, leaving her grappling with her own insecurities and the horrors of her uncanny reality.
Supporting Ruby through this upheaval is her dedicated best friend, AJ, portrayed by Zosia Mamet. AJ is a true-crime enthusiast who throws herself headfirst into solving the puzzle of the deadly dating pattern, offering both a comedic and supportive presence.
Despite a thrilling premise, the series occasionally struggles to maintain its forward momentum. Predictability slips in as the story unwinds, and attempts to introduce new plot twists don't always land. Yet, the strength of the performances, particularly Hsu and Mamet's, keeps the audience engaged, rendering Ruby's lovable quirks and erratic love-life interesting and relatable.
"Laid" overall is a light-hearted show with life-threatening consequences that don't quite match its overall casual tone. Rather than focusing on the explanation for Ruby's deadly love life, the series' strength lies in its exploration of the baggage and flaws that affect our ability to form lasting relationships. The anticipated second season is sure to delve deeper into these compelling aspects of a modern love story gone wrong.
The full series of "Laid" is available for streaming on Peacock from December 19th.
