All Her Fault: A Journey Through Modern Motherhood and Self-Discovery
Sarah Snook's commanding presence returns to our screens in "All Her Fault," a psychological thriller that premiered on Peacock in November 2025. This gripping eight-part series, based on Andrea Mara's bestselling novel, explores the devastating consequences when a mother's worst nightmare becomes reality: her child disappears during what should have been a routine playdate.
The Fragility of Modern Motherhood
The Guardian's review describes Snook's performance as "terrifying," capturing the raw essence of maternal terror that lies at the heart of this series. Set in an affluent Chicago suburb, the show immediately thrusts viewers into the disorienting world of Marissa Irvine (Snook), whose perfect life unravels when her five-year-old son Milo vanishes from a neighbor's house.
What makes "All Her Fault" particularly compelling is its unflinching examination of modern motherhood. The series doesn't romanticize the maternal experience; instead, it presents motherhood as a complex tapestry of "performance, obligation, fear, resentment, devotion – all tangled," as noted by The Indian Express. This raw honesty resonates with audiences because it acknowledges the unspoken pressures that mothers face in today's society.
Dakota Fanning's Wisdom: Learning from Experience
Co-starring alongside Snook is Dakota Fanning, whose own journey from child star to accomplished actress brings unique depth to her performance. Fanning has been vocal about how her experiences as a child actor inform her approach to working with young performers today.
Speaking exclusively to People magazine, Fanning shared that she treats child actors "like any other co-star" – a philosophy rooted in her own early experiences in Hollywood. Having worked with heavyweights like Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington before age 12, Fanning learned the value of being treated as a professional rather than being coddled or patronized.
"I got treated like a coworker by my adult actors, and I adopted that behaviour with young castmate," Fanning explained, reflecting on lessons learned from her own childhood acting experiences. This approach demonstrates a profound understanding of how respect and equality can foster genuine growth, both for the individual and the creative process.
The Psychology of Fear and Responsibility
"All Her Fault" operates on multiple psychological levels, exploring not just the literal disappearance of a child but the metaphorical disappearances that occur within relationships and identities. The series examines how quickly assumptions can spiral out of control, how community dynamics shift in crisis, and how mothers are often blamed for circumstances beyond their control.
The title itself is revealing – "All Her Fault" suggests the burden of responsibility that mothers carry, even when they're not to blame. This theme resonates with contemporary discussions about maternal guilt and the impossible standards placed on women, particularly mothers.
Breaking the Cycle: From Child Star to Mentorship
Fanning's approach to working with young actors represents a form of conscious self-awareness and growth. Rather than simply reproducing the environment she experienced, she has reflected critically on those experiences and chosen to create something better. This demonstrates what psychologists might call "individuation" – the process of becoming aware of oneself and making conscious choices about one's behavior based on that awareness.
Her method is particularly relevant in the context of "All Her Fault," where the investigation into Milo's disappearance forces characters to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and their relationships. Just as Fanning has chosen to treat young actors with professional respect, the characters in the series must choose how to respond to crisis – with blame and suspicion, or with understanding and support.
The Power of Authentic Performance
Both Snook and Fanning bring authentic emotional depth to their roles, drawing from their own experiences to create multidimensional characters. Snook, known for her transformative performance in "Succession," continues to demonstrate her ability to embody complex, morally ambiguous characters. Her portrayal of Marissa captures the desperate love of a mother while also revealing the societal pressures that shape maternal behavior.
Fanning's performance adds another layer, informed by her understanding of both the entertainment industry and the psychology of young performers. Her character in the series likely benefits from this nuanced understanding, creating a more authentic portrayal of the complexities involved in situations where children's safety is at stake.
Conclusion: Understanding Through Experience
"All Her Fault" succeeds not just as a thriller but as a commentary on contemporary motherhood, community responsibility, and the psychological pressures of modern parenting. The series asks difficult questions about blame, assumption, and the fragile nature of the lives we build for ourselves and our children.
Meanwhile, Dakota Fanning's approach to her craft offers a masterclass in self-awareness and conscious growth. By reflecting on her own experiences and choosing a path of professional respect and equality, she demonstrates how we can learn from our past to create better futures – both for ourselves and for those who come after us.
As viewers, we are reminded that understanding comes not from avoiding difficult situations but from engaging with them honestly, with empathy for others and awareness of our own capacity for both growth and error. In both the series and in Fanning's career philosophy, we see the powerful truth that self-knowledge – gained through experience and reflection – is the foundation for authentic human connection and meaningful change.
