Helstrom

I went into this without any expectations, other than to watch a new Hulu original show. I absolutely enjoyed it! Austen hit the right notes as a quiet but effective demon with big range and Lemmon and Uy were great together. If you're expecting total Marvel, you probably won't feel satisfied but it's a fun watch.

At first I found this show ridiculous, especially the two main characters. But things become more interesting after one episodes or two. The plot is richer than I expected. Psychology discussions are rather good for a TV show. There is action, mystery. It is not about social justice or social commentary (at last!), it is about what a TV show is supposed to be: a story. Then cinematography, wardrobe, locations are interesting. Good production design. The female lead is a bit too much at times but can also be interesting at different periods. As a whole, this is a better than average show, dark, sometimes innovative.

The story may not be overwhelmingly unpredictable, but nor is that the point. This is about Ana and Damon and the people around them--who they are and what they go through. The acting and direction is mostly strong, as is the attention to detail. The dialogue is smart and reasonably natural. While the production is generally solid, it sags notably in the make-up department--where the work ranges from good to perfunctory and outright incongruous. (A strange area for a reasonably high-profile production to flounder, these days.) The FX work is all right albeit very derivative--as is the soundtrack, which thankfully never slips into being overly bombastic or loud.

When it comes to writing, the series definitely could have used a more coherent approach. The fact that there were twelve (12) different writers for this ten-episode run bleeds through and muddles the narrative. In some episodes (the sixth one in particular) trite, traileresque exposition overwhelms the otherwise stark and intimate narrative style, making for an awkward and ironically comic-like detour.

As for the story's adherence to the original--well, which original? Daimon's inception was in the early seventies. Both he and his sister (who has a considerably smaller role in most of the comics) have been portrayed in various ways through the years. The '75-'77 run is vastly different to the later two, which in turn don't entirely align either (and that's not even getting into the disparate appearances the characters have made in other comics.) Marvel loves alternate universes, and this is an accomplished, more restrained and human version which I think works really well. (I admit, though--while I really like Austen's and Lemmon's portrayals, I would've preferred for the siblings to at least have been redheads. Also, that title sequence is just off.)

If you like sombre, portentuous horror drama series with a focus on character interplay, this is probably for you. If you come in expecting Hollywood spectacular or a straightforward comic adaptation, you are going to be sorely disappointed.

We need more shows like this one! If Evil can get a second season then this one deserves more. Love the premise, love the execution. Bingeworthy content that kept me interested throughout. I really hope we don't lose another promising dark / supernatural series...too many good ones have fallen before their time.

This has unfairly low ratings given how binge-worthy it is! I watched the whole season in one go, very interested to see where they take it in season 2. Watch if you enjoy shows about demons/nuns/exorcisms.