It’s messy season, b!tches: Based on a True Story is back! Season 2 returns with more wackiness and wild storylines to keep you dialed in for an eight-episode thrill ride. When we rejoin the series, Ava (Kaley Cuoco) and Nathan (Chris Messina) are adjusting to parenthood and feeling a little disconnected from each other. Still, they’re trying hard to leave the true-crime life behind and move on. That is until Tory (Liana Liberato) announces she’s engaged to Matt (Tom Bateman). Uhh…what? Did she forget he’s a COLD-BLOODED SERIAL KILLER? Well, I suppose, common sense and survival instincts are few and far between in this show (which, honestly, is half the fun).
Matt claims to be 90-ish days sober—as if you can truly get sober from the urge to commit murder—and is trying his hardest to stick to being a good person. Or at least he really, really wants to convince everyone that he’s turned over a new leaf. Gosh, Tom Bateman is so good at playing a psychopathic killer, using an unsettling stare that renders you unable to tell if he’s being genuine or not. Matt’s character arc is one of the most intriguing plotlines this season; is he on his way to a better life? Or is it all just another game? When new murders start popping up, supposedly linked to the West Side Ripper, Ava must race against time to prove if Matt is back to his old habits…or if there’s someone worse ready to take the true-crime spotlight.
Based on a True Story leaps off the deep end with style, dragging each character right down into plot insanity—in all the best ways. Violence and murder-bunnies and sex parties abound as the investigation leaves a trail of blood in its wake. The central whodunnit mystery soon turns into a cat-and-mouse game, requiring expert minds and fresh intel. The always-excellent Melissa Fumero joins the season as a newfound friend to Ava, a detective who may raise more questions than answers about the Ripper case.
Because here’s the thing: Nobody in this show is investigating the murders for the right reasons; they let their personal desires and motivations seep into every decision they make, which isn’t always healthy and definitely isn’t foolproof. That leads them into some decidedly sticky situations and you’ll delight in watching them try to get themselves out. And the show enjoys getting into Ava’s head as all the different pressures in her life start building up, with great comedic delivery from Cuoco.
The theme of family is strong in this season; first, it explores how parenthood affects Ava and Nathan differently. Both feel, to some degree, inadequate when it comes to parenting, which amplifies how they feel in other areas of their lives. Ava handles it by throwing herself into posting videos on #MurderTok, while Nathan tries to prove he’s still a contender in the tennis world. They need to be seen as more than just parents; they want to feel like they matter to the world. And they’re both being manipulated by Matt, who encourages them to embrace their more ego-driven desires.
The other family dynamic is Ava’s protectiveness over her sister Tory—it’s quite sweet to watch and it colors the way they move through the plot, leading to some pretty smart and surprising parallels. The more grounded aspects of the show—the love the characters share, the parenting worries, the relationship troubles—elevate the comedy as it highlights just how bizarre the more dangerous situations often are.
The connections built over season 1 really pay off here as the characters feel fully realized, but it becomes clear they still have some layers left to explore. That’s what makes it all the more delicious when they give into the insanity surrounding them. Each character has their own moment to shine when they truly let go. Coupled with the often slapstick bloody violence that pops out at any moment, you’ll take turns giggling and gasping at the screen.
Based on a True Story S2 is gloriously chaotic fun to watch—with another twist waiting just around the corner to snatch you any time your attention might start to wander. By now, you’ll know the drill: None of us are here for a super-realistic true-crime thriller, we’re here to have a damn good time, and Based on a True Story S2 delivers.
