Play Nice

I went in expecting a gothic renovation thriller and got something far more unsettling—a masterclass in how friendship can become a kind of possession. The narration completely sold me: Alex Finke’s restrained, almost weary delivery as Clio made her emotional unraveling all the more powerful, while Natasha Soudek’s portrayal of Neena was chillingly persuasive. She doesn’t shout or hiss; she whispers, cajoles, and you still want to believe her. That’s how good the performance is. The dual timelines could’ve felt gimmicky, but they’re tightly woven, with each past revelation reframing the present in disturbing ways. Harrison doesn’t over-explain, which I appreciated—the ambiguity about what’s supernatural versus psychological kept me tense throughout. That said, the middle drags slightly. There’s a stretch where Clio keeps almost leaving town but doesn’t, and it tested my patience. I also wish the secondary characters had more depth—they mostly serve as set dressing for Clio and Neena’s toxic orbit. Still, the final hour is relentless. The audiobook’s sound design is subtle but effective: distant radio static, a door that clicks shut a beat too slowly. It’s not horror in jumpscares, but in the slow dread of recognizing a pattern you can’t escape. If you liked My Best Friend’s Exorcism or The Invited, this one will crawl under your skin.