The most outstanding TV show of the year may not leave you feeling happy, but it will certainly make you reflect deeply.

Apple TV+’s “Disclaimer” (available Fridays, ★★★★ out of four) is a profoundly dark and unsettling narrative that showcases the sheer brilliance of storytelling. Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón and featuring stars like Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, and Sacha Baron Cohen, this limited series is a breathtaking tapestry of emotion and suspense that will engage, disturb, and possibly enlighten you about yourself. You might not appreciate what you discover, but that’s okay—plenty of other shows offer a comforting escape.

Instead of providing a comforting experience, “Disclaimer” gives you chills and a rush of adrenaline. Through outstanding performances, a finely written script, and Cuarón’s unique visual flair, the series challenges your beliefs, presenting what appears to be a straightforward revenge story. However, things are rarely as they seem. At times, you might want to look away, but during most scenes, you’ll find it hard to take your eyes off the screen, and you’ll want to stick around until the finisher.

Based on Renée Knight’s novel, “Disclaimer” explores the repercussions of a fateful encounter between a 19-year-old British boy, Jonathan (Louis Partridge), and a young mother, Catherine (Leila George), that took place on an Italian beach in the 2000s. The specifics of the incident are murky at first, but ultimately, Jonathan ends up dead, and Catherine remains silent about what transpired. Fast forward twenty years, and the adult Catherine (Blanchett) becomes an object of obsession for Jonathan’s father, Stephen (Kline), who comes across what he believes to be proof of Catherine’s involvement in his son’s death. Driven by his grief over losing Jonathan and later, his wife Nancy (Lesley Manville), he seeks revenge with little regard for the fallout of his actions.

Stephen’s ruthless pursuit affects every aspect of Catherine’s life, including her indecisive husband Robert (Sacha Baron Cohen) and her struggling son Nicholas (Kodi Smit-McPhee). The term “disclaimer” refers to a book written by Nancy in her anguish, which Stephen finds and chooses to publish. He claims it reveals the devastating truth that will destroy Catherine, now a prominent journalist and documentary filmmaker known for exposing the wrongdoings of others. While Stephen wreaks havoc, the series intertwines flashbacks of Catherine and Jonathan’s past encounter, alongside the impact of the boy’s death on his troubled parents.

Cuarón, renowned for his acclaimed works like “Gravity,” “Children of Men,” and “Roma,” is known for his thorough dedication to storytelling, and this is evident in all seven episodes. His camera captures the nuances of Blanchett’s expressive performance, the stormy waves of the Mediterranean, and the raw emotions of Stephen and Nancy’s grief. The series includes intense sexual scenes that evoke feelings of terror due to their emotional weight rather than exploitative nature. As the narrative shifts between past and present, Cuarón’s direction and script maintain a gripping tension that never allows viewers to relax.

Blanchett is arguably one of the few contemporary actors capable of portraying the complex layers of Catherine’s character. While it’s difficult to discuss her emotional journey without revealing spoilers, it’s clear that Blanchett showcases her vast array of talents. The ensemble cast rises to meet the profound darkness of the storyline, but it is Cohen who delivers the most surprising performance. Known for his comedic roles like “Borat” and “Bruno,” he presents a nearly unrecognizable character in the role of a serious man filled with rage, absent of irony. Who could have imagined that Borat had this range?

Exceptional television upends your expectations. The finest shows take those expectations, disregard them, and challenge you to introspectively confront your beliefs.

“Disclaimer” prompts you to reassess your views about yourself and others, questioning the validity of what you believe. It’s a powerfully told narrative that might leave you reeling, pondering, and possibly even frustrated.

But most importantly, it will provoke thought that lingers with you for a while.