'Strung' Review: Chloe Bailey Leads Stylish Peacock Psychological Thriller

Peacock has a new thriller coming to the screen this summer, and it plays in our face in the best way possible. Psychological thrillers are a dime a dozen, so studios are always trying to keep things fresh. Enter Strung, starring R&B superstar Chloe Bailey. Bailey, known for her music alongside her sister Halle Bailey, is no stranger to the small screen; however, she is set at the top of the call sheet in this stylish mind game.

Bailey plays Layla, a gifted musician and violinist whose dream is to play on the biggest stage in her field. That dream is halted when she is hired by a wealthy family as a tutor for a young girl. When she arrives, everything just seems too good to be true. Sleek and modern are words used a lot to describe expensive-looking content, but in this case, they fit the film to a tee.

Most thrillers lean on shock value, but Strung is more interested in watching the pressure build slowly. It leans into character work and tension, forcing you to sit in every interaction and question what’s really being said or not said. The longer Layla stays with her new employers, the more things start to shift. What feels off at first turns into something harder to pin down, and Layla soon realizes she’s stepped into a situation she can’t easily control.

If that isn’t enough to make you hit play, the film, directed by Malcolm D. Lee and produced by Tyler Perry, reunites Perry with veteran powerhouse Lynn Whitfield. She commands every scene she’s in, carrying a quiet intensity that suggests something is always happening just beneath the surface.

What is a thriller without a best friend? Coco Jones steps in as comic relief and the audience’s grounding force. Her chemistry with Bailey gives the film its lighter, more human beats in between the tension. Rounding out the cast is Lucien Laviscount (Emily in Paris), Anna Diop (Us), and introducing Romy Woods (Abbott Elementary).

I had the pleasure of speaking with both Ms. Whitfield and Ms. Jones about this new film.

What are your thoughts on Chloe Bailey’s move into psychological thrillers? Will you be streaming this on Peacock? Drop your comments below and let's talk about that wild family!