One thing is for sure, EPIX in America sure does love Stephen King. Even when they’re not airing shows based on his work, they’re offering up shows that feel very much inspired by his work. “From” is a series that thrives on being as mysterious and cryptic as possible. Compared left and right to “Lost,” the series from John Griffith and the Russo Brothers ends that analogy as a series about strangers stuck on a deserted plot of land that they have to survive in, and look for a way out of. Beyond that, a lot of “From” is a harrowing mystery that terrorizes its audience, while never quite explaining what it is unfolding around us.
“From” is set in a small unnamed town in the middle of nowhere where its residents have to be home by night fall. With their strict sheriff Boyd on constant watch, the town must resort to various rituals including hanging a talisman by their doors and keeping away from windows. As we witness from the shocking prologue to the series, there’s a clear cut reason for these rituals, and it’s all about safety. Meanwhile, a dad, his wife and two children are on a road trip in their RV when they happen upon the town. After a freak accident, they’re told by Sheriff Boyd and the locals that they’re officially stuck in the town, and there’s no actual means of leaving.
At least none that anyone in this town are aware of.
During the day the roads are watched by large murders of Crows, and at night, monsters that look very similar to humans emerge from the woods looking to feast on one of the townies. For years the town has figured out how to evade the mysterious predators, but with new details emerging slowly, the survivors are slowly realizing that their days are likely numbered. The monsters from the woods are some of the most nightmare inducing horror villains conceived in the last few years. There’s little to no explanation on what they are, if anything, but there are a lot of stories about how merciless and relentless they can be.
Are they skinwalkers? Are they a cannibalistic coven of Witches? Are they Demons? Are they Lovecraftian monsters that have created a way to ensnare human food? Are these people stuck in a limbo between reality and the afterlife? Are they all cursed individuals paying for some horrible thing they’ve done? Even after EPIX debuted the first three episodes on Amazon Prime, there’s still little to no details about what’s happening. All we know is that every character is operating on a timer the moment the sun rises and it creates a sheer sense of terror every time.
The first three episodes of “From” are beautifully directed, and composed, introducing us to characters we’ll either grow to love, hate, or wish were dead. Even the support of the town, Sheriff Boyd, is a protagonist that doesn’t always garner love from the locals. And he is tortured with the burden of keeping the town together, lest they’re all slaughtered by the monsters in the woods. The cast is stellar including Harold Perrineau (an actor who quite possibly has never turned in an awful performance); as Boyd, he’s the uneasy moral center who is tasked with tough choices, and he has to live with them. There’s also Catalina Sandina Moreno, and Eoin Bailey, both of whom seem intent on finding a way out of the town.
I was anxious to learn so much more about the lore and mythology of this little pocket dimension, and I’m interested to see if any of the residents actually attempt an escape at any point.
In either case, “From” is off to a great start that I hope evolves in to a rich horror epic.
Now Airing on EPIX and streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Check Local Listings.