Streaming Review:Why Women Kill

I first ran across this series while scrolling for something to watch this fall. I assumed Why Women Kill was a reality show about murderesses. I wasn't interested. However, after a recommendation from my brother-in-law, I decided to give it a try. Luckily it is not a reality show but fiction and scripted.

The series is a darkly comedic drama, reminiscent of the 1955-65 television show Alfred Hitchcock Presents. It has plenty of murderers. Some kill by accident and some very deliberately. Not all are women, there is at least one murdering man. Some are even a little sympathetic.

The story takes place in 1949 and follows the perpetually overlooked Alma Fillcott (Allison Tolman). Her goal is to fill a vacancy on the local garden club. The club members are glamorous and everything she admires. They are also vain, condescending, and not very nice. Over the season's ten episodes, we watch Alma do whatever it takes to be accepted into this club.

The focus of her admiration is the club's queen bee, Rita Castillo (Lana Parrilla). Rita has everything; an older wealthy husband, a handsome lover, and clothes that steal the show. She is also ruthless and conniving.

Alma's husband Bertram (Nick Frost) supports Alma even as he questions her need to change. He is a sensitive and caring veterinarian whose need to ease pain sets the story on its twisty, fun path.

Some characters help unwind the path, including Alma's daughter Dee, and private investigator, Vern. All the characters reveal multiple sides to their stories, keeping the story unpredictable and viewers interested.

The show is available on Paramount+.