Noble intentions are not relevant in the art of making a movie or a show. Yes, it is necessary to offer a unique perspective into prevalent issues in society. But good writing takes precedence over highlighting any such issues. There needs to be something that holds together and accommodate it. It is through the lens of an intriguing screenplay you can expose the atrocities to the total effect. This show does just that.
On the face of it, the issue handled here is child abuse. But through numerous powerful moments achieved by brilliant staging, upending the inherent socially constructed meaning of certain daily moments, it has portrayed how complicated and unfairly influential a parent-child relationship is.
There is a prevailing mystery which keeps the show engaging. But you get a feeling that without it there is nothing substantial, This notion is broken when the show reaches a certain point when you are made to feel useless at the helpless state of affairs. Until that moment, the effect of abuse or a sense of appreciation for vigilantism itself was significantly less. This may be since previous victims were not exposed to the audience as much as the one who drills through the viewer. But it could also be because until then, the need for such unlawful heroism was mildly established.
After that point, the show expedites the process of resolving its mysteries. But you start noticing the minor and implicit psychological effects of the victims after that. That one particular point accentuates the whole show considerably. The complex dynamics involved in a parental relationship or any relationship in which one person has some sort of nurturing or forced authority over the other or the minute hierarchy of abuse or the subconscious response to ensure being enmeshed in such a hierarchy can be seen more clearly.
Towards the end, it just clings to classic mystery novel and other tropes by making some horrific reveals. Those are a tad bit extreme but that does not negate the underlying point it has always made throughout the show.
One should not mistake this show as an issue-based one. This a well-done killer investigation drama. There is tension, a well-ordered sequence of revelations; classic cliffhangers at the end of each episode; and a fair share of subterfuge. Multiple intensely staged scenes are placed when the show seems to dip slightly. It had its precursors and payoffs wherein some of those were incredibly disturbing. So this show is a worthy killer investigation drama in the first place. It has smartly plugged in child abuse for the most part without it being contrived.
There are these little details that elevate the experience. For one, this is a dimly lit show. The color tone and the pervasive grim lighting never provides a chance for you to escape this debased world the show is set in.
The world in which the show is built in seems confined. This claustrophobic effect adds to the inescapable situation of the victims.
There is a serial killer here. But the killer is not given a demented outfit. He/ She is not painted as having a twisted view of the world. They do not derive an unpleasant form of pleasure from their acts. Their actions are motivated by a combination of empathy and trauma. They are not addicted but convicted in their ideology to stop the suffering of a kid and punish those who caused such pain. Their actions are not persecuted as deranged but offered a more optimistic approach. This is an amazing aspect because this way the show acknowledges the diabolical nature of the legal system and the torturous flow of bureaucracy. At the same time, does not encourage the concept of judge jury and executioner.
The acting in this show needs to be mentioned as this show is heavily psychological. The actors have brought out every form of good, evil and trauma and sometimes all juxtaposed in a character. This is especially true for child actors. It is difficult to show an emotional wall built whilst hiding deeply disturbing memories behind for a kid. It is not just about being quiet, There should be something disquieting behind that quietness. The lack of expressiveness should be expressed. And this is what the kid does. And finally, during a particular moment when that wall breaks, it is elevated to be the best scene of the show.
Also, some characters' development is well written. This is brought to the screen by some subdued presence with sporadic emotional bursts.
Even though this show does well in blending mystery and message, it fails to do the same for some of its characters. Their dynamics ls criminally underexposed.
Towards the end, mild redundancy starts to set in. The ultimate reveal does not produce any effect. This may also mean that while the show hooked in the viewer for its suspense, it made them stay for its heavy pathos.
This show may not be revolutionary but it does offer a must-have perspective into Corporal Punishment. The underlying point mentioned earlier is slowly etched in the viewers' minds. It is not in the face of or explicit but once you complete watching it, you get their point about the issue. Corporal punishment of any degree is bad. It doesn't matter what your reasons may be or how small it is, it should never be the option one should opt-in parenting.
" A child's whole universe is its parents. There is no bigger horror when that universe starts attacking it."
