TV Review: Locke & Key Is A New Supernatural Hit For Netflix
Locke & Key has to be one of MY FAVORITE upcoming series on Netflix. Locke & Key, as a comic book series by Joe Hill, has been exceptional in balancing horror and the YA pangs of growing up. While there are big changes to the story and there can always be more horror in a horror series, this show tries to amplify how powerful kids are as persons, especially when powering through grief.
Truthfully, Locke & Key hones in on more of the fantasy elements of the comics than the gore, but it uses the tragedy of Rendell Locke (Bill Heck) to exemplify how we, as people, want to leave our world after a loved one does. Maybe, it is just me, but seeing how Rendell’s death threads trauma and sadness in his family for 10 episodes, amplifies to me just how screwed up the Locke kids are when we find them. Connor Jessup embodies Tyler’s desire to go crazy and be a wild teenager versus the man of the house. Sometimes, he wants to get “schwasted” and, other times, he wants to be a “father figure” for his younger siblings, of which Jessup’s levelness as an actor helps you realize they are not, mutually, exclusive. We all want to be many things, except our fear.
Locke & Key | Official Trailer | Netflix
Emilia Jones as Kinsey Locke rocks with confidence and rebelliousness. She, out of all the characters, is allowed the most to emanate the shame at not being able to protect our loved ones from the darkness of the world. Her battle with the monster known as fear is a recurring point throughout the series, and one that plays into her building od new relationships with Scott (Petrice Jones) and Gabe (Griffin Gluck). Both characters enter Kinsey’s world with their charm, but, in this show, not everyone is to be trusted. With this in mind, I bring you the powerful, evil known as Dodge played by Laysla De Oliveira.
Oliveira is PHENOMENAL as Dodge. She is merciless, plotted, manipulative, cruel, and…… EVIL. Truthfully, I love supernatural shows, and she is the first demon I have ever seen on tv that is, actually, horrible. I feel like other shows try to add nuance to demonic characters as if one hug could have saved them. Yet, try and hug Dodge, and I promise you that you will end up in front of a train. She is a formidable adversary for anyone, even the Joker. She is so smart and limitless, in any form. When Felix Mallard joins in as Lucas Carvaggio, the wry charm and sly wickedness of this character wraps the entire storyline. It is a “two for one” deal on villains that feel terrifying and inescapable, which is why viewers, who read the comic series, will want more gore and horror. We are getting the characters to do it. Yet, again, this is a show about family.
Locke & Key | Sneak Peek | Netflix
Coby Bird as Rufus is so sweet and I wanted more of his friendship with Jackson Robert Scott’s Bode because they brought out the nuances of their characters. In a world where every one thinks them “too young” and “too innocent” to be adept, these characters are picking out keys and bad guys a mile away. They can form a Hardy Boys’ series if they want to, but their moms, Sherri Saum as Ellie and Darby Stanchfield as Nina, would not allow it. Still, both women serve performances that show broken hearts can still kick ass. Moreover, they made me wonder why supernatural shows don’t go more “multi-generational” when fighting off ancient evil. Every show leaves it to the young, but we can work together, right?
Ultimately, Locke & Key is visually stunning, and has a Stranger Things meets Pan’s Labyrinth vibe. It is gorgeous, ancient, and creepy, while also being young, colorful, and a testament to friendship and family being the greatest weapon against evil. Locke & Key comes out on Netflix on February 7.
Locke & Key | From Comic to Screen | Netflix
