Disney+ has a new mystery to solve in its newest series Phony.
Teen Sonny Cooke (Sam Viola) is on his way to hook-up with his girlfriend Chloe (Mahaela Park) for the first time when he crashes his car into the woods. When he awakes in the hospital, he’s greeted by friends, and his adoring mother and school principal Ellen (Connie Britton).
But there’s something off about her, and nobody else seems to clock the change at first. Sonny’s suspicions are confirmed when she fails to return on of his signature unspoken acts of affection.
Not entirely certain that Ellen is an imposter, Sam ropes in Mallory Russell (Grace Brennan), who is back at school after being homeschooled by his religious parents, and her cousin Weldon (Colter Lee). They suggest a private investigator named Sharla (Meera Syal) after Sonny’s suspicious are dismissed by Chloe and his best friend Vogel (Maliq Johnson).
Created by Nick Paley, Phony’s short 30-minute episodes let the mystery come to the forefront, with Britton and Viola getting the bulk of screen time in the first four episodes screened for this review.
Phony might just be this year’s sleeper hit.
4 Stars
Phony is now streaming on Disney+.
