Revival

Love a super natural thriller but good ones are few and far between. Started strong, interesting premise, compelling and charismatic lead actress but as it chugged along I just became less and less engaged. By the end I was far from satisfied, it seemed to move into derivative silly country and I couldn't of cared less about the characters. It has some interesting moments and themes to be sure. Melanie Scrofano is the glue that holds this together, I wouldn't of made it to the end without her enjoyable performance and dry wit. If you are a fan of Melanie give it a go, you may enjoy this. Me, by the end I didn't even care enough to try and understand what was going on so to be honest a lot of it just went over my head. Sad because at the start I thought I was in for a fun ride I was going to thoroughly enjoy. I was wrong. However I don't wanna be a total deputy downer so In appreciation of the high concept effort though and Melanie's involvement I give it a six and I think that's being pretty generous.

REVIVAL isn't just a show-it's a mood, a mystery, and a masterclass in tension. Set in the quiet town of Wausau, Wisconsin, what starts as a bizarre miracle (the dead returning to life) quickly spirals into something far more unsettling. This isn't your average zombie tale. These people aren't hungry for brains-they're just... back. And that's what makes it so chilling.

The writing is razor-sharp. Every character feels grounded and deeply human, even as the surreal creeps in. There's a slow-burn Midwestern noir quality here-think Fargo meets The Leftovers with a splash of Stephen King.

Acting is great. Cinematography is gorgeous and eerily intimate. The music is haunting and moving, with a unique mix of instruments and vocal arrangements. And yes, I know I am saying this ABOUT A SYFY SHOW.

But it's the writing and questions that will keep you hooked: Why are the dead coming back? What do they remember? And what, if anything, do they want?

REVIVAL builds its mythology with confidence, daring you to keep up but never leaving you behind. It's gripping, emotional, and somehow feels both huge and deeply personal. This is prestige horror tv on a budget.

Do yourself a favor: Watch it before everyone starts spoiling the twists.

It's frustrating to read viewers who mistakenly believe this TV show swiped its ideas from the fairly engaging Aussie TV show Glitch (debuted in 2015), when in fact, Revival was first published three years prior (Revival was nominated for several Harvey Awards, which are the Academy Awards for comics.) So far, Revival is quite faithful to the comic series, although not quite as dark. I can tell fussy viewers that the comic eventually answered all questions because the writer had worked out the end, and reason for the revival, from the very beginning. The series ran for 47 issues, which really could be adapted in a 10-episode series, so if this gets a second season, the writers will have to create from scratch. Melanie Scrofano is fantastic in everything, including here (and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Letterkenny, Ready or Not & Wynonna Earp). Most of the cast is just fine, but I will admit that I can not stand the younger emo sister.

While there were a few moments during the show that led me to glance at my phone due to some slower scenes, this is a common experience for most viewers. Overall, my excitement to see local landscapes, as the series was filmed in my hometown, kept my interest alive. The acting was superb, and the production quality stood out, showcasing a strong commitment to excellence. The first episode concluded with a cliffhanger that, while somewhat predictable, has left me eager to discover how the plot will unfold. I am truly looking forward to watching the remainder of the season, as the initial impressions have been very positive. Despite a few dull patches, I believe the overall experience is definitely worth the watch, and I can't wait to see where the story takes us in the episodes to come.

As a fan of the mystical sci-fi genre, I can say - the pilot turned out solid. The atmosphere is surprisingly cohesive, the direction confident, and the cast is average overall.

Melanie Scrofano - familiar from Wynonna Earp - fits organically into the dark tone of the story. There's something reminiscent of Preacher: that same strange, apocalyptic energy bordering on the absurd.

It's a shame the episodes are released weekly rather than all at once, which is frustrating in the streaming era. Still, the wait might actually build anticipation.

In the end, it's a solid genre piece that knows how to keep you intrigued. Recommended for those who appreciate a dark atmosphere, philosophical undertones, and quality execution.