Do’s and Don'ts of living next to a murderer: our guide to Claire Danes' creepy new series
What’s an author to do when a suspected murderer moves in next door?
That’s the question asked by “The Beast in Me,” the new Netflix series starring Claire Danes as writer Aggie Wiggs and Matthew Rhys as Nile Jarvis, a wealthy man accused in the disappearance of his wife.
Here’s the details from Netflix: “Since the tragic death of her young son, acclaimed author Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes) has receded from public life, unable to write, a ghost of her former self. But she finds an unlikely subject for a new book when the house next door is bought by Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys), a famed and formidable real estate mogul who was once the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance. At once horrified and fascinated by this man, Aggie finds herself compulsively hunting for the truth — chasing his demons while fleeing her own — in a game of cat and mouse that might turn deadly.”
Based on the trailer though, there are a few tips and tricks you can pick up when dealing with a mysterious new neighbor.
Don’t ask the killer directly if they’re a killer
At one point in the trailer, Aggie asks Nile point blank, “Did you kill her?” He simply retorts, “What do you think?” So, not the most helpful approach when investigating because killers are also notorious liars.
Don’t have your own lingering trauma
Aggie’s clearly spiraling at different points in the trailer. But hey, the curse of being a traumatized, brilliant author? 1) it’s a buzzkill, and 2) it’ll make you dig into a murder case that’s so not your business.
Do listen to friends and/or police authorities
In a pivotal scene, a friend (played by Natalie Morales) tells our troubled heroine, “You need help Aggie. You’d rather invent a murder than look in the mirror.” Something to consider!
A mysterious man also appears at Aggie’s door on a rainy night in the trailer, bearing an FBI badge and a warning: “Be careful. Nile Jarvis, he’s not like us.” Something else to consider too!
Do some self-examination (but not with the murder suspect’s help)
Aggie accepts that she may be “complicit” in whatever new drama is unfolding around her but insists she’s not a “monster.” That’s healthy, a little self-reflective. However, she does seem to flirt with Nile to the point he suggests she has a “bloodlust” deep inside. That’s not healthy, because he’s likely a murderer preying on your darker impulses.
Don’t accept just any champagne from the (suspected) killer
If a rich murder suspect offers you champagne, double-check it’s the real stuff from France — not just sparkling wine. Because if you’re going to be pulled into a sinister web of lies and murder and drink the last champagne you’ll ever drink, make sure it’s a good one.
Do consider new hobbies
If you find bloody rags and chunks of hair on a stranger’s bathroom sink, as Aggie does in the preview, consider switching to a nice book club instead. The hockey romance genre is having a major moment, so why not curl up with something like “Pucked,” or “On Thin Ice” instead of chasing a suspected killer through the woods?
