How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is somehow too much and not enough

by

Following a hugely popular show like Derry Girls is a tough act, and while people might naturally compare it to Lisa McGee’s new series, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, the two shows are actually quite different. And that’s a good thing – this new series deserves to be seen as its own unique creation.

McGee’s new series creates a richly detailed and immersive world, though it can be confusing and quite tense at times.

This show is hard to define by genre – it’s been called a comedy, but it also includes thriller, mystery, and even ghostly elements. It blends the bizarre with the everyday realities of friendship and how relationships change over time. What’s really refreshing is that it portrays flawed, complex women with messy lives and a tendency to avoid difficult situations – something we don’t see enough of on television.

I’m really disappointed to say that How to Get to Heaven from Belfast didn’t resonate with me at all.

The series kicks off with a puzzling mystery when Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara come together to mourn their friend Greta. They first learn about her death through an email – a surprisingly cold notification – and as they gather for the wake, they have no idea that a strange and unsettling chain of events is about to begin.

This sends the three characters on a journey across Ireland as they try to uncover the truth, and at first, the story seems pretty simple.

What makes ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ interesting is that it’s deliberately complex. Though it hints at many intriguing ideas, the story sometimes feels unfocused and loses its way.

This show joins a trend of increasingly stressful TV dramas. Many programs, like ‘The Bear,’ leave viewers feeling anxious and needing to relax afterward, with shows such as ‘Succession,’ ‘Industry,’ and ‘Blue Lights’ offering similar intense experiences. As a result, many people are choosing to watch comforting, familiar shows – we’re already stressed by work and life, and now even watching TV can be exhausting!

I really enjoy a show that keeps me on the edge of my seat! I love a bit of thrilling chaos – sometimes there’s nothing better than a series that’s both thought-provoking and makes your heart race.

“How to Get to Heaven from Belfast” immediately grabs your attention with a sense of frantic energy. The very first episode depicts a seemingly desperate Robyn, but it quickly becomes clear this is all happening within her mind. The show creates a subtle sense of unease as it gradually reveals the individual stories and lives of the characters before they become connected in the main plot.

Unfortunately, this show often feels stressful just for the sake of being stressful. The plot is packed with so many twists and turns that you almost need to take notes to follow it. It’s clearly made with a large budget and aims to be visually striking, which it achieves – it’s a real treat for the eyes. However, the show prioritizes style over a compelling story, and genuinely funny moments are surprisingly rare. Ultimately, the impressive visuals don’t quite make up for the lack of substance.

While not every good comedy needs to make you laugh out loud, it really should. These days, shows often get labeled with multiple genres, almost as a safety net if one particular style doesn’t quite work. This is more of an issue for streaming services and networks to address, but with so many shows blending comedy and drama instead of sticking to one or the other, the fact that ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ doesn’t elicit much laughter might be because it’s trying to be too many things at once.

I don’t have a problem with shows blending genres. However, I wonder if we sometimes call things ‘comedy-dramas’ just to be safe, if a show isn’t consistently funny. True comedy often works best when it touches on serious or difficult topics – as we saw with ‘Derry Girls,’ which turned out to be a thoughtful look at society.

McGee and her talented cast are reliably funny, which makes it disappointing that I didn’t find “How to Get to Heaven from Belfast” particularly hilarious, despite the clear comedic energy and wit on display.

As a big fan of fast-paced shows, I’ve been thinking about this series, and honestly, it sometimes feels too fast. Everything happens so quickly that I think we lose some of the funny moments. It’s like being thrown into the middle of a chaotic scene – there’s just so much happening all at once, it’s overwhelming and hard to fully appreciate anything. It’s a bit like trying to enjoy a drive in a convertible while getting pelted with sand – exciting, but also just…a lot!

Want to see this content?

This YouTube video isn’t available while you’re signed in to Contentpass. Please sign out of Contentpass to watch it.

“How to Get to Heaven from Belfast” is a mystery thriller aiming for a modern and unique feel, but it truly shines when focusing on the genuine connections between friends. The relationship between Roisin, Robyn, and Dara is delightful and provides the story’s best comedic moments – something fans of McGee’s work will expect, given her talent for writing funny and believable group friendships.

I’m really hooked on how the show expands later on, introducing some totally unexpected characters and storylines. But honestly, while these new elements are surprising, they don’t always feel fully developed. For example, Saoirse-Monica Jackson shows up as this really mysterious, almost psychopathic character, and it’s…a lot. It feels a bit too over-the-top, and I struggled to really connect with what was happening with her.

With so many people now using phones and tablets while watching TV, it’s impressive that ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ really demands your full attention. Its eight hour-long episodes are packed with details, and even a quick glance away could mean missing a crucial clue or flashback that explains the complex ending.

I eventually found the show overwhelming and ended up tuning out. Even something I never thought I’d say – that Girls Aloud’s ‘Sound of the Underground’ could only hype me up so much – proved true. This show is definitely not for everyone. While I was disappointed it didn’t completely grab me, I think some people might appreciate ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ for its unique and intense sensory experience.

Want to see this content?

We can’t display this content because of a security measure from Google reCAPTCHA. To see it, please sign out of your Contentpass account.

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast arrives on Netflix on Thursday 12 February.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing and freelancing, and holds a BA degree in English Literature.

  • Visit us on Twitter

Read More

2026-02-12 12:35