Cry Wolf
Holly, 14, has written a school essay detailing her stepfather's physical abuse and claiming that she and her younger brother have been exposed to violence in their home. The report from Holly's school lands on the desk of social worker Lars Madsen. Following his meeting with a clearly frightened Holly, Lars is convinced of the need for immediate action, and in the space of a few hours, he manages to place Holly and her brother Theo in emergency foster care. The children's parents completely deny the abuse charges and are genuinely shocked by the council's handling of the case. They respond by hiring a lawyer and bringing their own case against social services. Lars now has only a few weeks to find evidence of the stepfather's abuse before the case is brought in front of the children and youth services committee, which will decide whether the children can return home or if they should remain in foster care. However, Lars' fact-finding mission proves much harder than expected and raises key questions: can children always be trusted? How much stress can a family endure--and who is actually telling the whole truth? 'Cry Wolf' focuses on how far a family is willing to go to survive and how difficult a task it can be for a social worker to secure a loving childhood for children in a vulnerable home environment.
- 2020-2020
- 1 season
- FX Network
- Suspense, Drama
Holly, 14, has written a school essay detailing her stepfather's physical abuse and claiming that she and her younger brother have been exposed to violence in their home. The report from Holly's school lands on the desk of social worker Lars Madsen. Following his meeting with a clearly frightened Holly, Lars is convinced of the need for immediate action, and in the space of a few hours, he manages to place Holly and her brother Theo in emergency foster care. The children's parents completely deny the abuse charges and are genuinely shocked by the council's handling of the case. They respond by hiring a lawyer and bringing their own case against social services. Lars now has only a few weeks to find evidence of the stepfather's abuse before the case is brought in front of the children and youth services committee, which will decide whether the children can return home or if they should remain in foster care. However, Lars' fact-finding mission proves much harder than expected and raises key questions: can children always be trusted? How much stress can a family endure--and who is actually telling the whole truth? 'Cry Wolf' focuses on how far a family is willing to go to survive and how difficult a task it can be for a social worker to secure a loving childhood for children in a vulnerable home environment.
Season 1 Episode Guide
8 Episodes 2020
Episode 1
Afsnit 1
55 mins
Holly, 14, has written an essay in which she accuses her stepfather of aggravated assault. The municipality's best social worker, Lars Madsen, will be put on the case. Over the course of a day, he ends up urgently placing Holly and her little brother, Theo, with a foster family. The parents are in shock and claim that Holly is lying. Lars now has a few weeks to find his head and tail in the case. But who is telling the truth, and who is hiding a secret?
Episode 2
Afsnit 2
51 mins
Dea and Simon have had their children removed, and the emptiness resounds in the home. They hire a lawyer to run a case against the municipality. Meanwhile, Holly and Theo have been placed with a foster family, and a new everyday life begins. Lars is in the process of his investigation and is obtaining statements from the police, school, and hospital. Holly anxiously awaits her mother's reaction to the essay.
Episode 3
Afsnit 3
55 mins
Lars has reason to doubt Holly's statement, as it turns out that she has previously had a lively imagination. In an attempt to make Theo happy, Holly writes to Dea that Theo is into football. But Dea's impulsive visit to the football hall does not end well, and she has to visit Lars and ask for regular contact. Holly urges Theo to be honest when he later has to be video interrogated by the police, but the outcome backfires for Lars.
Episode 4
Afsnit 4
48 mins
Theo is homesick and runs away from the foster family on his birthday. Simon finds him at home and is pleasantly surprised. Holly is seen with her foster family's son, Jonatan, who shows her the benefits of living in the countryside. Dea comes home to flags and pancakes, but the family idyll is abruptly interrupted when Lars calls the door.
Episode 5
Afsnit 5
44 mins
A video of Lars' pickup of Theo has gone viral and Lars senses the outrage of the public mood. Simon is happy with the support they suddenly get from people online. However, this puts Dea's job at risk, as the parents in the kindergarten have started talking behind her back. Lars has contacted Holly's biological father. Lars then seeks out Holly, but when he confronts her with the latest information in the case, she is not ready to speak.
Episode 6
Afsnit 6
50 mins
Only a few days before the case is to be finally decided, Lars has come to the conclusion that Holly may not have been subjected to violence. However, he is still convinced that something is seriously wrong in the family, and sits down to take a closer look at Dea. Holly sneaks out to party with Jonathan and tests boundaries. Dea and Simon's relationship is under great pressure, and Dea is considering her options. In desperation, Simon seeks out Holly in hopes that they can come to an agreement outside the system, but Holly feels threatened and grabs for a lifeline.
Episode 7
Afsnit 7
50 mins
It's time for the final meeting of the children and young people's committee to decide whether Dea and Simon can get Holly and Theo back home. A wing war develops between the municipality on the one hand and Dea and Simon's lawyer on the other. Holly is marked by having to stand alone and testify against her mother. New and surprising information comes to the table during the meeting. It is now up to decide whether the children should go home to their parents or whether they should remain in foster care.
Episode 8
Afsnit 8
53 mins
Holly and Theo have returned home, but the mood is tense in the family. Dea is keen to create a good vibe, but Simon is paranoid about Holly refusing to take part in the family fun. Lars is desperate to have lost the case. He is convinced that there is domestic violence, but he is powerless. He seeks out Holly, but he's greeted by Simon instead. Can the family ever find their way back to a normal state after everything they've been through? And can Lars do more, or is it too late?
