Lady Voyeur review: A nail-biting binge

‘Lady Voyeur,’ a Portuguese thriller-drama, tells the story of a talented hacker who is drawn into a threatening investigation after her neighbour, a sex worker, leaves for a weekend getaway.

Story

Miranda, an unrestrained witness, and professed hacker. Her daily routine consists of gaping through the window into the life of Cleo, an elevated courtesan who lives in the structure located across the road. She takes a keen interest in the guests who visit Cleo. Miranda too deals with a hereditary illness which may erase her memory for good, just like her grandmother.

Cleo knocks on Miranda’s door one day and starts asking Miranda to watch her dog, Barbie whilst also she goes on a trip. The trouble starts when one of Cleo’s guests, Fernando, visits whilst Miranda is temporarily in Cleo’s apartment.

Miranda and Fernando indulge in coitus after which Fernando pays a fee and then leaves. Miranda takes in all that has happened when another visitor comes in search of Cleo. This person is willing to sexually assault Miranda when Fernando comes back in time to save her. After the attack, the visitor is assumed to be dead.

Fernando helps Miranda get rid of the body. During and after this incident, the two grow an intimacy. He incontinently entrusts Miranda with certain dark secrets of his life. He convinces Miranda to get introduced to his brother-in-law, Heitor as well.

Fernando instructs Miranda to use her hacking abilities while keeping a close eye on Heitor. On a different note, Heitor has a troubled marriage with Diana. He, too, is a Cleo client. Miranda quickly becomes entangled in a web of complicated relationships and lies.

Miranda is desperate to find out how and where Cleo went missing. Miranda receives a proposal to a ‘Play Party’ and is given instructions to follow through anonymous communication. By the end of this, Miranda awakens in Heitor’s apartment, hog-tied, and discovers Diana’s dead body.

Miranda does not have confidence and trust in Fernando or Heitor. She quickly realises the inappropriate and complicated family relationships between Heitor and Fernando. Miranda’s past begins to haunt her as she visits her grandmother in a nursing home on a regular basis.

Miranda becomes directly involved in the now-joined investigation following the murder of Zoe Braun, Fernando’s ex-wife. Along with this, it is discovered that the ‘Play Party’ was actually held at Zoe’s parents’ penthouse.

Miranda tries to link all the loose ends as she continues her own investigation. Her life is also in danger at this point. Rita, Miranda’s best friend, becomes involved in the mess as well. Rita and Rafael bump into each other and slowly get attracted.

Miranda is concerned about Rita’s close friendship with Heitor’s bodyguard, Rafael. As more investigation takes place, it is revealed that Rafael and the late Diana had a flirtatious interaction with each other. He too becomes a person of suspicion.

After many twists and turns, it is divulged that Cleo was never in danger. Cleo has been the danger – for Miranda. Miranda’s sociopath elder sister is Gabriella, who has taken the alias of Cleo. She had devised a complex scheme to make Miranda suffer.

Fernando was also a part of Gabriella’s evil plan. On the one hand, Gabriella wants to see Miranda suffer and then die; on the other hand, Fernando wants to take everything from Heitor and then kill him. Despite all of the planning and plotting, Fernando and Gabriella both die. Miranda is saved by the police and is now beginning a new chapter of her life. She still keeps her baby and gives a chance for a relationship with Heitor, who is also free. Miranda is aware that her hereditary disease will soon erase her memories; for now, she wishes to live life to the fullest.

Performances

‘Lady Voyeur’ has an ensemble of wonderful actors. Débora Nascimento, who plays the role of Miranda, has done a fantastic job. Her grace yet intimidating energy radiates through the screen.

Another strong female persona in ‘Lady Voyeur’ is that of Emanuelle Araújo. Her role as Cleo is the perfect blend with that of Nascimento. Even though her screen time is quite limited, her on-screen presence is intense, to say the least.

Male actors Ângelo Rodrigues, who plays the role of Heitor, and Nikolas Antunes, who plays the role of Fernando, have fallen short when compared with the female actors. They have been accurate fits to their roles, but their female counterparts have outshined them.

Positives

The cinematography of this series has been as good as a movie. Even the direction of ‘Lady Voyeur’ has been a delight for the eye. The daunting background sounds have provided the intense visuals with a very enchanting aura.

The series is very well-paced. It all adds to the dramatic effect that the director wishes to impact the audience with. In addition to this, the subtle jump-scares have been well in-cooperated.

Negatives

The storyline is excellent but gets messy on the way. There are too many characters and their stories, which have been presented as subplots, have digressed the central idea of the storyline.

‘Lady Voyeur’ begins with the central plot of Cleo, then it drastically shifts to Diana’s death and her past. There wasn’t a smooth transition.

Cleo’s storyline becomes messy and very predictable as well.

Verdict

‘Lady Voyeur’ is a nail-biting thriller and is binge-worthy. Despite an almost predictable storyline, the series does not fail to entertain and intrigue the viewer.

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