Based on a True Story is a dark comedy that offers a sharp, twisted take on the true crime craze, mixing humor and suspense in a fresh way.
The show follows married couple Ava (Kaley Cuoco) and Nathan (Chris Messina), a couple looking for their big break. The pair are down on their luck until they catch serial killer Matt Pierce (Tom Bateman) in the act as the Westside Ripper and attempt to use this information to their advantage. Naturally, things spiral into both funny and creepy chaos.
Kaley Cuoco shines as Ava, balancing dark humor with vulnerability. Her dynamic with Messina, who plays the increasingly desperate tennis coach Nathan, drives the show. Together, they form a messy, morally gray couple that's hard to look away from. Tom Bateman creates a serial killer who's as charming as he is chilling, drawing you in even as you remain wary of Matt's every move. His so-called rehabilitation always feels doubtful, yet I want to believe in him.
Things get messier when baby Jack arrives, and to make matters worse, Matt starts dating Ava’s sister, Tory (Liana Liberato). Matt learns the hard way that you can't outrun your past when new murders tied to the Westside Ripper start popping up. Has he relapsed, or is someone going after his legacy, which could really set him off? Meanwhile, Matt’s relationship with Tory heats up as his past comes back to haunt him, and Ava moves from true crime podcasting to diving into Tiktok influencer culture. The friendship growth between Matt and Nathan is also a season 2 highlight for me.
Season 2 is a clear improvement over season 1, expanding the world and raising the stakes. The show broadens its scope, diving deeper into the characters' lives and introducing new layers of tension and drama. By exploring fresh storylines and bringing in new, interesting characters, it makes the world feel bigger and more dynamic, keeping things exciting and unpredictable. The casting of Melissa Fumero from Brooklyn Nine-Nine as Drew is a great choice—Ava really needed a new mom bestie as she struggles when her current friends are not sympathetic to her new mom troubles. The stakes feel much higher this season.
The show cleverly blurs the line between entertainment and real tragedy. It highlights how these crimes affect the victims, while also exploring the desperation to get away with murder. As a result, you end up sympathizing with the former and cheering for the latter, despite their opposing natures. That's what makes this show so fun! It’s both a biting satire and a tense ride, making you sometimes question how we consume these stories.
While it maintains its comedic roots, season 2 leans into its darker side as it progresses, creating moments that are as uncomfortable as they are funny. One of my favorite things about this show is the unpredictable narrative, you never know where a scene will end up and often it's somewhere absolutely insane.
Overall, it's a dark, satirical series that keeps you on edge one minute then laughing the next. With a WILD season finale, I really hope to see this show secure a renewal for season 3.
All 8 episodes of Based on a True Story season 2 are available now on Peacock.
