Home Before Dark: The Apple TV+ Series That Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat

Welcome to Erie Harbor, a quiet little town in the state of Washington. In fact, this town isn’t unfamiliar to our new arrivals, the Liskos. Although Mattie has failed to mention it to his wife, his past in Erie Harbor is far more significant than he lets on. And the town’s residents certainly haven’t forgotten. Matthew Lisko returns to town with his wife and three daughters to be closer to his father, Sylvester. But the Lisko family is like no other. Mattie did indeed grow up in Erie Harbor, but he didn’t stay long once he became an adult. The reason for his early departure? The abduction of his best friend, Richie Fife.

The investigation into the kidnapping ended long ago with the imprisonment of Sam Billis, whom Mattie has always believed was innocent. Additionally, Richie was never found, so he is presumed dead.

Now, the Liskos are somewhat unwelcome upon their return to Erie Harbor, and it’s clear they aren’t exactly greeted with open arms. Especially when Matthew’s youngest daughter, a budding journalist despite her young age, starts to investigate. But at 9 years old, it’s hard to be taken seriously. Hilda will have to work even harder to uncover the deep secrets of Erie Harbor and find out what really happened to Richie Fife. But when a secret is so well hidden, digging it up can be dangerous…

As you might guess, Home Before Dark promises an intriguing series with unbearable suspense. But this story is far more interesting than it seems. Not only is it based on a true story, but every detail is interconnected, and the season 2 finale will likely leave you speechless.

The series is inspired by the real life of Hilde Lysiak, born in 2006 and already a journalist by the age of 9. Hilde’s family is real, and in real life, she was helped by her sister Izzy, who assisted her in publishing and filming scoops. This whole story began with a crime. After moving from New York to Selinsgrove, Hilde overheard the police discussing a crime scene and immediately decided to cover the story. A 9-year-old reporting on a murder did not go unnoticed—her story quickly spread worldwide, and many people thought she was too young to cover such serious events. However, Hilde’s father, Matthew, is also a journalist and a crime reporter, so she grew up surrounded by this world. Still a child, she even managed to raise funds to hire a new police officer in her town following a rise in vandalism. This is the story of a child who pursued her calling at a very young age and showed the world that being a child doesn’t mean being naive or incapable.

Home Before Dark is based on Hilde’s first big scoop, and the show is so gripping that it’s almost painful to stop watching. You’ll become a virtual resident of Erie Harbor, with just one question in mind: What really happened to Richie Fife?

Beyond the incredible story, Home Before Dark boasts an intriguing aesthetic, even incorporating typewriter-style fonts into its promotional materials. The series also shines a spotlight on investigative journalism, with a focus on traditional print media, as Hilde writes everything in her little journal and distributes her articles at school. It’s a return to a world that isn’t exclusively digital. Throughout the series, the themes of press freedom and the search for truth—whether about disappearances or secrets that could affect the physical and mental well-being of the town’s residents—are central.

Home Before Dark is a triumph, both in its story and in the hidden truths behind it, and Hilde’s talent speaks for itself. For those interested, Hilde Lysiak has also written several books, which you may find compelling. Still available for another six months, the series is currently streaming on Apple TV+ and Canal+. Unfortunately, season 2 was released in 2021, and we’ve yet to see a season 3. However, while the chances may be slim, they aren’t non-existent since season 3 hasn’t been officially confirmed or canceled. The conclusion of season 2 wraps up the main mysteries but still leaves the door open for more. If someone decides to continue the story, I’m sure plenty of fans, including myself, would be thrilled to watch.