The Act is a Hulu original true crime anthology that centers around the real life story of Gypsy Rose and Dee Dee Blanchard. The 8 episode series follows Gypsy (Joey King) and Dee Dee (Patricia Arquette) as their relationship spirals from inseperable to murderous over the course of a few years. If you haven’t heard of this story at all and are kinda confused, I gotchu, let me break it down quickly.

Dee Dee Blanchard lied to both her daughter and the world for all of Gypsy’s life by claiming Gypsy had countless ailments, disabilities, mental issues, allergies, basically anything that could make Gypsy seem ill for the long run (and for a large enough check). Just to remind you, Gypsy Rose had none of these things, it was an exuberant lie. It all blew up in 2015, when Gypsy’s online beau did the unthinkable for her and murder was the end all be all.

The series explores this ordeal much more in depth, chronologically breaking down some (fictional) dramatic events like Gypsy discovering her real age, and lots more. Joey King pulls off a very impressive performance in the show, showing both maturity and child-like innocence in the most comprehensible way. And the confusion/frustration shown makes you want to empathize and shake your head at her naivete. Patricia Arquette shines just as much though, there’s nothing more chilling than knowing she can go from loving mother to aggressive-abusive mother in the snap of a finger. Other cast heavy hitters include: AnnaSophia Robb, Calum Worthy, and Chloe Sevigny.

Overall, the story so far is complicated, messy, heartbreaking, and a little frightening to be honest, but it’s a really REALLY good show. Since all the episodes have not aired yet, the expectations for the rest of the series is high, but the suspense and the drama is not one to miss.

Honest 10/10  GO.WATCH.IT.