10/10. Immediately intriguing and tensely mysterious with sharp Southern charm

HBO’s Sharp Objects is based on Gillian Flynn’s novel and centres on troubled yet witty and resilient crime journalist Camille Preaker, who suffers from alcoholism and self-harms. She returns to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri, to investigate the murders of two teenage girls, a year apart.

Having avoiding home for what becomes apparent, very good reason, Camille is haunted by her past and death of her sister Marian. She is subjected to the razor sharp, venomous tongue of her eccentric, critical mother Adora, odd stepfather Alan and half-sister, the rebellious teenage Amma.

The miniseries draws you in to its dreamy, haunting feel, traversing a small Missouri town which drips with humidity and tension in the air. Painful childhood memories linger, all masked with Southern charm.

Its mysterious, slow burning tone is reminiscent of True Detective, and there’s a weird Confederate Army celebration day, which just adds to the oddities of Wind Gap.

Amy Adams is excellent as Camille, showcasing subtle and wide-ranging emotions. She has her own demons and we travel on this journey through her eyes as the case and her secretive past unravel together, keeping you guessing until the very end. We see throughout that Camille has etched words into her skin which are shown to the viewer as the show progresses, such as ‘vanish,’ ‘harmful,’ ‘wicked.’ Her skin screams the words and they reflect her feelings and the case, and is a very powerful plot device.

Also amazing is Patricia Clarkson as Adora, her scathing remarks are so well delivered and her unhinged nature slowly becomes apparent. Eliza Scanlan is brilliant as Amma, her switch from innocent and loving to rebellious and callous is believable.

The cinematography is beautiful and claustrophobic at the same time and the supporting cast are all strong, including Henry Czerny as Alan and Elizabeth Perkins as Jackie.