The release of His & Hers on Netflix has sparked the kind of immediate, fervent conversation that streaming giants dream of. When you headline a project with two powerhouse actors like Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal, expectations are naturally sky-high. Both performers have carved out reputations for intense, emotionally grounded work, so the prospect of seeing them share the screen in a psychological thriller felt like a guaranteed win before a single frame was shot.

But star power alone doesn’t make a hit. The streaming landscape is saturated with thrillers vying for the top spot on the “Most Watched” list. Audiences are hungrier than ever for narratives that twist, turn, and challenge their perceptions, but they are also increasingly critical of style-over-substance storytelling. We’ve all been burned by a slick trailer that led to a hollow two-hour movie.

This brings us to the central question surrounding this new release: Does His & Hers deliver on its promising premise and A-list casting, or is it another case of wasted potential? By dissecting the performances, the narrative structure, and the thematic depth, we can determine if this thriller is a must-watch or a skip.

What Is His & Hers About? (Spoiler-Free)

At its core, His & Hers is a domestic thriller that plays with perspective. The story revolves around a couple whose seemingly perfect life begins to unravel following a traumatic event. Rather than a straightforward “whodunit,” the narrative positions itself as a “who-is-telling-the-truth-it.” The film thrives in the gray areas of memory and perception, forcing the audience to constantly re-evaluate who the protagonist—and the antagonist—really is.

Set against a backdrop of affluent isolation—a trope that has become a staple of the genre—the film uses its setting to amplify the claustrophobia of a marriage in crisis. The tone is somber and brooding, trading jump scares for a creeping sense of dread. What made this concept stand out among the deluge of recent Netflix thrillers is its commitment to duality. It doesn’t just show two sides of a story; it actively weaponizes the differences between them to destabilize the viewer.

Star Power: Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal

A script like His & Hers lives or dies on the capability of its leads. The characters are required to be charming one moment and deeply unsettling the next. Fortunately, the casting department struck gold.

Tessa Thompson’s Performance and Screen Presence

Tessa Thompson has long established herself as a chameleon, capable of slipping into roles in blockbusters like Thor: Ragnarok and intimate dramas like Passing with equal ease. In His & Hers, she brings a brittle vulnerability that is fascinating to watch. Her character is the emotional anchor for much of the film, yet Thompson plays her with enough ambiguity that you’re never quite sure if you should trust her completely. She excels in the quiet moments—a lingering glance, a tremor in her hand—conveying volumes of backstory without a word of dialogue.

Jon Bernthal’s Intensity and Character Depth

Jon Bernthal is often typecast as the aggressor or the tough guy, thanks to roles in The Punisher and The Walking Dead. Here, he gets to stretch different muscles. While his trademark intensity is present, it’s simmered down into something more domestic and, consequently, more terrifying. He plays the role of the “protective” husband with a suffocating edge. Bernthal is masterfully subtle here, allowing the audience to see the cracks in his character’s composure slowly widen as the pressure mounts. It is a performance defined by restraint, which makes his eventual outbursts all the more impactful.

Does Their Chemistry Drive the Story?

The friction between Thompson and Bernthal is the engine of the film. Their chemistry isn’t the romantic spark of a rom-com; it’s the volatile energy of two people who know each other too well. The film relies heavily on their dialogue-driven scenes, often shot in long takes that require the actors to stay perfectly in sync. Watching them spar verbally is like watching a high-stakes tennis match where the ball is a dangerous secret. Without this specific pairing, the film’s slower pacing might have felt tedious; with them, it feels deliberate and heavy with implication.

Direction, Writing, and Storytelling Choices

The narrative structure of His & Hers is its most ambitious—and perhaps most divisive—element. The film is split into segments, shifting perspectives to show the same events through different lenses. This Rashomon-style storytelling is risky. Done well, it illuminates the subjectivity of truth. Done poorly, it feels repetitive.

The direction leans into this fractured reality. The visual language changes slightly depending on whose perspective we are following. The lighting might be harsher for “His” version, while the camera movements are more erratic in “Hers.” It’s a subtle touch that subconscious cues the audience into the emotional state of the narrator.

However, the screenplay does have its stumbling blocks. In an effort to maintain ambiguity, the pacing in the second act drags. There are moments where the film seems to be spinning its wheels, withholding information not for character development, but simply to pad the runtime. While the dialogue is sharp, the overall plot trajectory feels occasionally contrived, relying on characters making poor decisions simply to keep the mystery alive.

Is His & Hers Truly a Psychological Thriller?

Genre labels matter because they set audience expectations. His & Hers markets itself as a psychological thriller, a genre that demands mental gamesmanship over physical action. In this regard, it largely succeeds. The film is less interested in bodies piling up and more interested in the disintegration of the psyche.

The tension building is a slow burn. It relies on gaslighting, paranoia, and the eerie realization that the person sleeping next to you might be a stranger. The emotional stakes are high because the film invests time in establishing the relationship before tearing it apart. Unlike many streaming thrillers that rely on a shock value twist in the final five minutes, His & Hers attempts to earn its surprises.

However, purists might find it leans closer to a domestic drama at times. The “thriller” elements are often psychological manifestations rather than external threats. If you are looking for car chases or masked intruders, this isn’t that movie. It’s a film about the violence of words and the terror of losing control over your own narrative.

Themes Beneath the Surface

Beyond the plot mechanics, His & Hers engages with some weighty themes that elevate it above standard popcorn fare.

Gender Perspectives and Moral Ambiguity

The title itself suggests a binary, but the film spends its runtime dismantling that idea. It explores how society views men and women in crisis differently. The male character is afforded the benefit of the doubt in professional settings but judged harshly in emotional ones, while the female character faces the opposite scrutiny. The film doesn’t paint either party as the definitive villain or victim; instead, it revels in moral ambiguity. Both characters make indefensible choices, challenging the audience’s desire to root for a “good guy.”

Trust, Power Dynamics, and Perception of Truth

At its heart, the movie is a dissection of marriage as a power struggle. It asks difficult questions about how much we truly know our partners. The theme of “perception as truth” is central. The film argues that in a relationship, there is no objective reality—only two competing subjectivities. This thematic undercurrent adds a layer of sadness to the thriller elements; the tragedy isn’t just the crime or the mystery, but the death of trust between two people who once loved each other.

Netflix Factor: Production Quality and Platform Impact

Netflix has a distinct “house style” when it comes to their original films—often characterized by high production value, polished cinematography, and a digital sheen that looks great on 4K TVs. His & Hers fits this mold perfectly. The cinematography is cold and precise, utilizing the architecture of the characters’ home to create frames within frames, isolating the actors even when they are in the same room. The score is appropriately dissonant, underlining the unease without overwhelming the dialogue.

The platform’s global reach means His & Hers will be discussed in living rooms from Tokyo to Toronto. This accessibility affects how the film is received. It is designed for the “binge” mindset, even as a standalone film. The pacing is structured to keep you from clicking away to check your phone. However, this accessibility sometimes comes at the cost of cinematic risk-taking. The film feels safe in its execution, polished to a fault, lacking the grit that might have made it a cult classic rather than just a weekend hit.

Audience and Critical Reception

Since its drop, the reaction has been a mixed bag, though leaning positive. Critics have largely praised the performances. Thompson and Bernthal are universally cited as the reasons to watch. The direction and cinematography have also received high marks for creating a palpable atmosphere of dread.

However, audience scores on aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes tell a slightly different story. A recurring criticism is the pacing. “Slow,” “plodding,” and “repetitive” are words that pop up in negative user reviews. Some viewers felt the dual-perspective structure robbed the story of momentum. Others felt the ending, while thematically consistent, lacked the explosive punch they were hoping for after a two-hour build-up.

Social media discussion has focused heavily on the “he said, she said” aspect, with Twitter threads debating who was actually in the wrong. This engagement suggests that even if the film isn’t perfect, it is effective at provoking conversation.

Does His & Hers Live Up to the Hype?

So, is the buzz warranted? Yes and no.

Where the Film Succeeds

If you are coming for the acting, the hype is real. Thompson and Bernthal deliver masterclasses in tension. The film succeeds as a character study of a toxic relationship imploding in slow motion. It is beautifully shot and creates a mood that lingers after the credits roll.

Where Expectations May Fall Short

If the hype led you to expect a groundbreaking, fast-paced thriller that reinvents the genre, you will be disappointed. The plot beats are familiar. The twists, while well-executed, are not entirely unpredictable for savvy genre fans. It doesn’t transcend its genre; it simply inhabits it competently.

Who Will Enjoy This Thriller the Most?

His & Hers is best suited for viewers who enjoy films like Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train—stories where the horror comes from intimacy rather than violence. It appeals to those who appreciate acting and atmosphere over adrenaline.

How It Compares to Other Netflix Thrillers

Netflix has built a massive library of psychological thrillers, from Bird Box to The Woman in the Window. His & Hers sits comfortably in the upper tier of this catalog, primarily due to its casting. It is more grounded than Clickbait and more coherent than Secret Obsession.

However, it differentiates itself by refusing to give easy answers. Unlike many Netflix originals that wrap everything up in a neat bow to ensure audience satisfaction, His & Hers leaves some threads fraying. It trusts the audience to sit with discomfort. While it may not have the viral meme potential of Bird Box, it offers a more mature, substantial viewing experience.

Conclusion: A Worthwhile Watch or Missed Opportunity?

His & Hers on Netflix is a polished, tense, and well-acted entry into the psychological thriller canon. While it may struggle under the weight of its own narrative ambition at times, and the pacing requires patience, the payoff is a gripping examination of trust and truth. Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal prove to be an electric pairing, elevating a decent script into a compelling drama.

It isn’t a perfect film, but it is a thoughtful one. It avoids the cheap thrills often associated with streaming originals in favor of something darker and more human. If you have two hours to spare this weekend and want to see two of Hollywood’s best actors go toe-to-toe, it is absolutely worth hitting play.

Have you watched His & Hers yet? Let us know whose side you were on in the comments below!