Safe Home (2023– ) User Reviews

I want more!

[gallagherkellie · 8/10 · 26 May 2023]

My god this was a good mini series. I'm desperate for this to be made into a full series, there are just so many stories that could be told.

This show was heartbreaking. It shows you that everyone is in danger of family violence, not matter your age, social class, gender, race...please pay attention to friends and colleagues and when someone asks for help give it to them.

In regards to the show, the premise is new and fresh. It's extremely realistic. The acting is very well done, especially by the main actress. It had my attention from the beginning, the mystery had me guessing up until the end. A couple of coincidences but otherwise a great show.

wow

[mjones41-826-630736 · 9/10 · 22 May 2023]

As a male viewer, I was initially hesitant and almost switched off during the first 15 minutes of the opening episode due to the subject matter. However, the exceptional production values, brilliant script, skilled direction, and compelling acting kept me on board, and I'm grateful that they did. This series masterfully builds the drama through its clever use of time cuts. It keeps the audience guessing throughout.

The impressive production values and overall quality of the show are a testament to the talent involved. Kudos to series creator Anna Barnes. I'm looking forward to her next endeavour.

Highly recommended.

Very Revealing Series

[Wolfgang8285 · 9/10 · 16 September 2023]

I just discovered this short series on a streaming channel.

Of course it takes place in Australia, but I have no doubt women succumb to the same mistreatment or violence worldwide. I have never been so informed of this particular theme, and even though the information is presented in a short television series, the actors do a wonderful job of capturing the viewer and bringing one into the fold.

Although the Safe Home jumps around quite a lot between the affected individuals - and sometimes the jumping kind of confused me - the dynamics of Safe Home says there is a lot more to be told and just 4 episodes does not fill the void.

Confronting for its accuracy, but worth viewing despite the triggers

[tootwynn · 10/10 · 21 May 2023]

There is nothing new in this show. ALL of these scenarios have already happened, in our communities, around Australia.

Be warned, it is confronting. Within the early scenes. If you have experienced violence, be prepared. It is very spare in its depictions of physical violence, and is not gratuitous, but it does not need to be. The threat of violence is just as terrifying. And the trauma and psychological impacts are evident in many of the characters

I can't speak to whether the Community Legal Service is realistically represented. But for the different versions of family violence, this is, to my experience, authentic. The situations (plot) and character representations (acting) are entirely convincing.

The boiling frog metaphor, whilst only alluded to in this show, is an accurate one. It creeps up on you, whilst at the same time, you rationalise the situation, and the perpetrator's behaviour. I suspect, the more 'clever' you are, the more convincing your rationalisations, to yourself as much as others. The underlying plotline of the 'murder' alluded to in the 1st episode, attempts to depict to the viewer, how we can ALL be taken in. "It can be anyone". I think it is also a challenging thought project, to question yourself, about any assumptions you may have made, before the denouement in the final episode.

Yes this is a representation of, predominantly, women as victims. But that is factually accurate. Family violence towards women and consequently, children, is an epidemic in Australia. The institutions we have; Courts/Police/Services, have been identified as part of the problem - as is depicted in this show.

For those of you who question its veracity, who propose it 'needs more irony', who think it is 'biased against men', consider your own internalised biases and your capacity for compassion.

My hope is that at some point in my lifetime, we have moved on from; desperately needing to represent these stories. To; actually seeing solutions and change within our culture. A time when shows like this become painfully outdated.

Exceptional

[consideredpoint · 10/10 · 13 May 2023]

Streaming has exposed international television series on an even playing field, and Australia can certainly hold its own against the best in the world. This series is the best I've seen. Wow.... Brilliantly played story, yet painful to digest the truth it represents. This is frighteningly real, yet presented so peacefully - like a perfect picture of a horrible event. Melbourne is well presented as a local would experience it - barely a token cafe or tram to be seen (thankfully), but some genuine inner north urban represented. All involved in this production should be immensely proud of the beautifully respectful story told of such an awful subject - a must see.

Gripping

[svrowell · 10/10 · 12 June 2023]

I admit I had to steel myself to watch Safe Home, and initially did so mainly because I thought it was such a 'worthy' project. However, while saying Safe Home is 'enjoyable' sounds too flippant, this show is definitely not an 'eat your greens' viewing experience. Of course, it deals with a very confronting topic, but does so sensitively, and delivers its message(s) via well-constructed-thriller and engrossing-workplace-drama plots. In short, Safe Home is absolutely gripping, and really well acted and well written. All the cast are great, and Aisha Dee is superb in the lead. Congratulations to all involved!

The eye of the storm

[philhayes80 · 10/10 · 12 May 2023]

Wow. There's a lot to say about how this topic of discussion can effect so many lives and who it effects. We think of family violence as name calling or a playful punch on the arm but it is so much more then that.

I watched all 4 episodes and I congratulate the cast and crew who brought this to life it could not have been easy.

Aisha Dee as Phoebe in a world she doesn't understand and trying to make a journo understand what is going on, her depth and emotion to this cannot be understated, she played this to perfection.

The names that were attached to this and when I saw them on screen was like "Oh hey I know them from this light hearted role." that was my first thought with Diana played by Janet Andrewartha from Neighbours, what a return to the screen for her, such a hard role to play someone being controlled by this she played it perfectly.

The intertwining stories and subject matter make it a hard watch but it needs to be watched we can no longer be quiet about Family violence when it out there and not going away.

Gripping, important

[audreywong-65909 · 10/10 · 26 May 2023]

It kept the hyperbolic stereotype story telling at bay and captured the nuanced complexity of each experience. The whole cast was incredible. Considering that this was such a departure from her other projects, Aisha was phenomenal. It was funny to see the commonalities between Phoebe and Kat (The Bold Type) lol both being in comms. Was riveted the whole way through, kept on edge with the adroit flash forwards, leading towards an unexpected ending. Brilliant work to hold such a difficult, complicated and sensitive subject matter that even if it involves so many perspectives, didn't feel clumsy or over the top.

Pretty much a true depiction of domestic violence

[guapeteo · 9/10 · 31 March 2024]

I started watching this series because I liked the title. I didn't read about it or watch any trailers. There are some plot twists in it that had me enthralled. I'm glad that this project came to fruition. People need to be able to see the many faces of domestic violence and abuse. The story this is centered around is one that really makes you think. And the side stories that depict different types of abuse are really engaging, because you want to know if they get out of their situation. Then when they're free of the abuse you can see the shift in their demeanor and outlook. I hope they make more episodes.

Trying to stay interested

[mchportelli · 5/10 · 27 July 2023]

I'm more than half way through episode two out of four and it seemed to be going so well with a good ending for episode one which had me intrigued after a slow start, but I just can't seem to get past the terrible acting and the documentary-like feel of this series. I'm really bored. So much of the series is wasted on the staff who work in the law office and Phoebe's past work/life misery.

The reviews promised something amazing and insightful into the sad, dark world of family violence but I'm still yet to even see any stories of people's suffering. What's taking so long?? It's all focused on the main character and her story which I think has a twist but I'm just so over it already.

Really, really poor acting by everyone in this series it's so disappointing and so hard to watch now. I wanted to give it a good shot but I'm really lost at this stage.

Eye of relevance

[jayflame8280 · 10/10 · 18 April 2024]

Growing up in a household where domestic violence had been present and watching this series there is a whole new understand on why "people don't run" because they can't they are stuck in a system that has let them down and will keep letting them down. This series was even more of an eye opener for me and I grew up with it and sometimes friends did as well. Phoebe is the optimistic one and all the other characters at the law firm are all that, but to a different degree, the stories told at the centre and the lives of everyone who walks through those doors are changed in an instant. I suggest if you do watch this go gently, you are going to be ok and help is available.