EPIX “From” Review: A Small-Town Horror with A Grotesque Surprise
The mysterious series by John Griffin narrows in on horror as monsters threaten to tear apart the flesh of the people in the town. From not only includes the monsters that strangely look like people, but also sprinkles in talismans and magical trees. The show’s suspense is inspired by a few of Stephen King’s works and makes for a captivating head-scratcher.
The series starts with the sheriff as he attempts to keep the town’s horrific incidences down. The bulk of the storyline revolves around the Matthews family and their clash with another car, forcing them to settle down in the nightmarish town. A family barely able to stay afloat begins to realize they must stick together in a world where monsters walk the streets at night.
Here’s the scoop on the science fiction and horror series, From!
A Sense of Community
The people living in the small town might seem reminiscent of Midnight Mass and The Walking Dead with what seems like well-established communities with a deadly secret. However, From shows a genuine community that seeks to become a safety net to escape the monsters. The Russo Brothers push even further to establish emotional connections as a distraction from the horror lingering at night.
When incidences start to occur again, the strings tying the community together are bound to come undone as fear seeps into their heads. It’s not until Jade and the Matthews family come up with a possible plan to go home that people are hopeful.
The Monsters That Look Like People
Even though From is about the characters trying to figure out a way to escape the town, there is enough suspense to carry the show to the end.
As each episode dives into the background of the characters and the town, the origin and the identity of the monsters still remain a mystery. It’s not until the climax of the series that the monsters pose at the forefront by hunting people inside the colony house.
Based on the heavy Stephen King inspiration, the monsters are more likely a figment of the imagination not yet portrayed in media. However, their mind games are not a far cry from the mermaids in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and sirens from Greek mythology.
Storytelling and Pacing
From opens up with Boyd and his second-hand man, Father Khatri as they maintain order in the town. The slow start to the series builds up to the perfect horror-thriller story as the town has to accept the newcomers. They all go through a moment of denial about the town’s horrific secrets, especially, Jade, convinced he is stuck in an escape room.
But the newcomers begin to realize that the monsters aren’t the only scary thing about the town. Throughout the series, many of the characters build their own theories of how to escape. From portrays the realistic thoughts of people desperately wanting a way out. The Epix show doesn’t fail to cling to the very hope of the characters even when met with a shocking cliffhanger.
Final Thoughts
A series to feed all of the horror fans looking for a fresh take on small-town horror. From gives us enough monster-killing moments to last the entire 10-episode series.
Harold Perrineau alongside the other main actors presents moments of hope and despair that leave us questioning what we would do in their place as subtle answers come bubbling to the surface.
From offers a new perspective to the science and horror genres that keeps us tied to the characters. If you thought Get Out played mind games, From makes us question even more with the dramatic season finale.
Although the series did build up quite the storyline, limiting it to ten episodes with very little character development might not be tangible.
Watch From on Epix now!
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