Pretty Little Liars


Trailer provided by Still Watching Netflix via YouTube

            

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Original Run: June 8, 2010 – June 27, 2017

Genre: Teen Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Platform: Originally aired on ABC Family (now Freeform); available for streaming on Max, Hulu, and Netflix

Creator: I. Marlene King

Based on: Pretty Little Liars book series by Sara Shepard

Main Cast:


  • Troian Bellisario as Spencer Hastings
  • Ashley Benson as Hanna Marin
  • Lucy Hale as Aria Montgomery
  • Shay Mitchell as Emily Fields
  • Sasha Pieterse as Alison DiLaurentis
  • Janel Parrish as Mona Vanderwaal
  • Ian Harding as Ezra Fitz
  • Tyler Blackburn as Caleb Rivers
  • Keegan Allen as Toby Cavanaugh
  • Laura Leighton as Ashley Marin
  • Chad Lowe as Byron Montgomery
  • Holly Marie Combs as Ella Montgomery






Secrets, Shadows, and Small-Town Drama



At a glance, Pretty Little Liars seems like another glossy teen drama filled with attractive people and high school melodrama. But very quickly, viewers realize that there’s much more bubbling beneath the surface. Set in the seemingly peaceful town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania, the show follows four high school girls whose lives spiral after the disappearance—and presumed death—of their queen bee friend, Alison DiLaurentis.


A year after Alison goes missing, the girls begin receiving cryptic, anonymous messages signed “A”—threatening to expose their darkest secrets. From this mysterious premise unfolds one of the most addicting, twist-laden television sagas of the decade. With its mix of murder, suspense, romance, and teen angst, Pretty Little Liars is both soap opera and psychological thriller.





The Core Four: Unbreakable Bonds in a Twisted Game



One of the show’s greatest strengths lies in its central quartet—Spencer, Hanna, Aria, and Emily. Each character brings a unique voice and personal arc to the story:


  • Spencer Hastings (Troian Bellisario): The ambitious and hyper-intelligent overachiever from a pressure-cooker family of lawyers and politicians. Spencer’s personal arc includes a psychological breakdown, addiction, and ultimately one of the most shocking twists in the series.
  • Hanna Marin (Ashley Benson): The sassy, stylish former “loser” turned queen bee. Hanna battles body image issues and self-worth insecurities, and later becomes one of the fiercest and most emotionally complex characters in the group.
  • Aria Montgomery (Lucy Hale): Creative and slightly aloof, Aria is known for her relationship with her teacher, Ezra Fitz. Though controversial, their romance spans the entire series, evolving from forbidden to oddly endearing. Aria also becomes deeply entangled in the mystery of “A.”
  • Emily Fields (Shay Mitchell): The sweet, soft-spoken swimmer who embarks on a journey of coming out and navigating love and loss. Emily’s storyline is one of the most impactful LGBTQ+ narratives on teen television at the time.



Their friendship is constantly tested as secrets unravel and relationships fracture. But throughout all the drama, betrayals, and danger, the strength of their bond remains a heartwarming centerpiece.





Plot Twists, Flashbacks, and the Mystery of “A”



From Season 1 onward, Pretty Little Liars thrives on suspense. The identity of “A” is a mystery that lasts for years—and just when you think the case is closed, a new version of “A” emerges. First, it’s Mona. Then it’s CeCe Drake. Then it’s “A.D.” The show stacks twist on twist, sometimes bordering on implausible—but always keeping audiences guessing.


The use of flashbacks, secret twin reveals, mental institutions, and secret passages in homes make it feel like a gothic mystery cloaked in modern fashion. Not every twist works, and yes, some moments are over-the-top or even confusing, but the commitment to suspense is impressive.





Thematic Depth: More Than Just Secrets



Pretty Little Liars may be packed with juicy plotlines and stunning reveals, but beneath the drama is a surprisingly deep exploration of serious themes:


  • Cyberbullying: “A’s” tactics often mirror real-life harassment, shedding light on how technology can be used to manipulate and terrify.
  • Identity & Sexuality: Emily’s journey as a young lesbian woman was groundbreaking for mainstream TV at the time, and the show treated her story with honesty and sensitivity.
  • Mental Health: Spencer’s arc explores anxiety, addiction, and trauma. Mona’s and CeCe’s backstories also dive into institutionalization and the stigmas around mental illness.
  • Trauma & Healing: Each girl faces her own form of trauma, whether it’s familial neglect, emotional abuse, or literal physical danger. Their journeys are about finding strength in adversity.
  • Female Friendship & Empowerment: At its core, this is a show about girls supporting each other through the darkest times.






A Visual and Musical Treat



Rosewood may be a fictional town, but the show’s aesthetics feel real and lived-in. The wardrobe is a fashion lover’s dream—Aria’s eclectic style, Hanna’s glam looks, Spencer’s preppy chic, and Emily’s sporty casual wear all became iconic. The visual contrast between the girls’ polished exteriors and the grim secrets they’re hiding plays heavily into the show’s allure.


The soundtrack also deserves praise—moody indie tracks, haunting piano themes, and pop songs underscore key moments. The opening credits, featuring the song “Secret” by The Pierces, set the perfect eerie tone for the show’s blend of beauty and danger.





The Rise and Evolution of the Villain(s)



“A” is one of the most iconic TV villains of the 2010s. What began as anonymous text messages escalated to blackmail, physical threats, surveillance, and even murder. The reveal of Mona as the original “A” in Season 2 was a shocking and satisfying twist. But the series didn’t stop there.


Enter CeCe Drake (a.k.a. Charlotte DiLaurentis), whose reveal as Big “A” added psychological and emotional weight, tying everything back to Alison’s dysfunctional family. Later, the introduction of Alex Drake—Spencer’s secret British twin—as “A.D.” brought the series into telenovela-level territory. While not all fans loved the ending, the constant evolution of “A” kept things fresh.





Legacy and Cultural Influence



At its height, Pretty Little Liars was a cultural phenomenon. It trended weekly on Twitter, had one of the most engaged fandoms online, and inspired endless memes, theories, and fan fiction. It wasn’t just a show—it was an experience.


It also paved the way for darker, more daring teen shows like Riverdale, Elite, and Euphoria. Its legacy lives on in spin-offs (Ravenswood, The Perfectionists) and reboots like Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, which taps into the franchise’s eerie, mystery-driven roots with a more horror-oriented twist.





What Worked



  • Excellent Cast Chemistry: The core four actors had undeniable chemistry, making their friendship feel authentic.
  • Gripping Mystery: The writers knew how to hook viewers with cliffhangers, hidden clues, and shocking twists.
  • Layered Themes: From identity to trauma, the show wasn’t afraid to go deep.
  • Cultural Relevance: Tackled important social issues for its time while maintaining entertainment value.






What Didn’t Work



  • Over-the-Top Plotlines: Secret twins, long-lost relatives, and elaborate murder setups occasionally pushed believability.
  • Pacing Issues: Mid-series seasons sometimes dragged with filler episodes.
  • Romantic Question Marks: Teacher-student romances (Ezra and Aria) were romanticized more than they should’ve been.
  • Final Season Confusion: Some fans felt the finale’s twin twist was too abrupt and convoluted.






Final Verdict



Pretty Little Liars is more than just a teen mystery drama—it’s a cultural touchstone that managed to balance glamor, danger, and emotional depth. Though it had its share of flaws and sometimes leaned into soap opera territory, it was always ambitious and unapologetically bold.


With memorable characters, a game-changing villain, and storylines that weren’t afraid to shock, PLL kept millions hooked for seven years. Whether you watched it live, binged it later, or plan to dive in for the first time—this is one twisted tale worth unravelling.




Final Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Best For: Fans of teen drama, mystery, thrillers, and series like Riverdale, Gossip Girl, or Big Little Lies.

Streaming On: Max, Hulu, and Netflix