How to Get to Heaven from Belfast Review – Netflix’s Dark Comedy Thriller Explained

Netflix’s How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is a bold, genre-blending mystery from Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee. Following three estranged friends investigating the suspicious death of a fourth, the series combines sharp Irish humour, emotional depth, and chaotic twists. With standout performances from Roísín Gallagher, Sinéad Keenan, and Caoilfhionn Dunne, this eight-episode thriller delivers laughs, tension, and surprisingly heartfelt commentary on friendship and midlife reckoning. Here’s why it stands out — and whether it’s worth your binge.

A Mystery That’s More Than Just a Whodunit

When you first press play on How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, you might think you’re settling in for a standard mystery. A funeral. A group of estranged childhood friends. Suspicious circumstances. Classic setup.

But within the first episode, it becomes clear this isn’t a straightforward crime drama. It’s darker. Stranger. Funnier. And far more emotionally layered than you’d expect.

The premise sounds simple: three women reunite after learning that their long-lost friend Greta has died under mysterious circumstances. But the more they dig, the less things add up. Is Greta really dead? Who is lying? And why does everyone seem to know more than they’re saying?

What unfolds is part investigation, part road trip, part emotional excavation of friendships that never truly healed.

And yes — it’s chaotic in the best possible way.

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Lisa McGee’s Signature Style — Just Darker

If you loved Derry Girls, you’ll immediately recognize McGee’s voice. The rapid-fire dialogue. The biting humour. The unapologetically Irish sensibility.

But here, the stakes are higher.

Where Derry Girls leaned into adolescence and political backdrop, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast leans into adulthood — specifically the uncomfortable realization that the past doesn’t stay buried just because you’ve grown older.

McGee takes what she does best — messy, lovable, flawed women navigating absurd circumstances — and drops them into a thriller framework. The result is something that feels fresh in the streaming landscape.

It’s funny, yes. But it’s also about regret, resentment, loyalty, and the terrifying idea that maybe you never really knew your closest friend at all.

The Trio at the Center: Complicated, Real, Magnetic

The show lives or dies by its central trio — and thankfully, they’re phenomenal.

Saoirse (Roísín Gallagher)

A crime novelist with unresolved trauma, Saoirse believes she understands how mysteries work. But real life refuses to follow narrative logic. Gallagher plays her with brittle intelligence and emotional restraint that slowly fractures as secrets surface.

Robyn (Sinéad Keenan)

A mother balancing domestic responsibilities with buried dissatisfaction, Robyn becomes the emotional pulse of the group. Keenan brings subtle vulnerability that keeps the show grounded when the plot spirals.

Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne)

Quiet but observant, Dara often sees what others miss. Dunne gives the character a steady presence that anchors the madness.

Together, their chemistry feels lived-in. They argue like people who share history. They laugh like people who once needed each other desperately. And they unravel like people who’ve avoided hard truths for too long.

This isn’t just a mystery about death. It’s about friendship under pressure.

The Tone: Unpredictable, Sometimes Unhinged — Always Engaging

One moment you’re laughing at a dry, perfectly timed insult. The next, you’re watching a genuinely tense confrontation that shifts the direction of the entire story.

That tonal balancing act won’t work for everyone. Some viewers may find the constant genre shifts jarring. But for others, it’s exactly what makes the series compelling.

It refuses to settle.

It’s part:

• Dark comedy
• Psychological thriller
• Emotional drama
• Satirical commentary

And somehow, it stitches those pieces together into something uniquely its own.

The unpredictability mirrors the characters’ emotional states. As their investigation becomes more erratic, so does the structure of the narrative. It feels intentional — like we’re spiraling alongside them.

Themes That Hit Harder Than Expected

Beneath the twists and jokes, the series explores some surprisingly heavy themes.

1. Female Friendship in Midlife

We often see stories about young friendships. Rarely do we see ones about women in their 40s confronting who they used to be — and whether they even like that version anymore.

This show dives into:

• Lingering jealousy
• Unspoken betrayals
• The quiet grief of drifting apart
• The fear of being forgotten

It’s messy and honest.

2. Memory vs. Reality

Each character remembers Greta differently. Those conflicting memories become central to the mystery.

The show asks:
Are we investigating a crime — or confronting our own unreliable narratives?

3. Identity and Reinvention

All three women have constructed adult lives far removed from their teenage selves. But the past keeps poking holes in those identities.

It’s uncomfortable. And that discomfort is where the show finds its emotional weight.

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The Mystery Itself: Does It Deliver?

Without spoiling the ending, the mystery is layered enough to keep you guessing. Red herrings are scattered smartly. Secondary characters feel suspicious without being cartoonish.

Is it the most airtight thriller ever written? Probably not.

But that’s not really the point.

The emotional resolution matters more than the literal solution. And when the final pieces fall into place, it feels earned — even if slightly outrageous.

You’re not just watching to find out what happened. You’re watching to see what it costs them to uncover it.

Cinematography and Setting: Ireland as Character

The landscapes play a crucial role. From coastal roads to dimly lit pubs, the setting isn’t just backdrop — it’s atmosphere.

There’s something haunting about wide Irish skies paired with tightly wound personal secrets.

The visual tone shifts subtly across episodes:

• Bright daylight scenes with biting humour
• Muted interiors filled with tension
• Stark nighttime sequences that amplify suspense

It’s cinematic without being flashy. The focus remains on the characters — exactly where it should be.

Pacing: Fast, Occasionally Frenetic

Eight episodes allow the story to move quickly. There’s little filler. Each chapter introduces new complications.

However, the speed can feel overwhelming at times. Just as you process one revelation, another lands.

For binge-watchers, that intensity works in the show’s favour. It keeps you clicking “Next Episode.”

But if you prefer slow-burn mysteries, you might find it breathless.

Still, it never feels dull — and in today’s crowded streaming market, that’s a victory.

Why This Show Stands Out in 2026

Streaming platforms are flooded with crime dramas. What makes How to Get to Heaven from Belfast different?

• Female-led mystery without clichés
• Genuine humour that doesn’t undercut tension
• Emotional depth layered beneath chaos
• A distinctly Irish voice that feels authentic

Most importantly, it feels personal.

You can sense that this story matters to its creator. It isn’t manufactured content. It’s character-driven storytelling with sharp edges.

And audiences are responding to that authenticity.

Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?

Absolutely — especially if you enjoy:

• Dark humour with emotional bite
• Female-centric stories
• Twisty plots that don’t play safe
• Character-driven mysteries

It’s not flawless. The tonal shifts won’t work for everyone. The plot occasionally teeters on absurd.

But it’s bold. Memorable. And refreshingly different.

In a year packed with formulaic thrillers, this one dares to be strange.

And that alone makes it worth your time.

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FAQs

What is How to Get to Heaven from Belfast about?

It follows three estranged friends who reunite after the mysterious death of a childhood friend. As they investigate, long-buried secrets resurface, turning the reunion into a chaotic and emotional mystery.

Who created the series?

The show was created by Lisa McGee, best known for creating Derry Girls.

How many episodes are there?

Season one consists of eight episodes, all available to stream.

Is it a comedy or a thriller?

It’s both. The series blends dark comedy with psychological thriller elements, alongside emotional drama.

Is it worth watching if I liked Derry Girls?

Yes — but expect something darker. The humour is still sharp, but the themes are more mature and the stakes are higher.

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