Locke & Key is based upon the graphic novel of the same name by Joe Hill, Joe Hill is most popular for his writing being just as graphic and violent in his own right (and compared to his father Stephen King). Unfortunately, the TV show decides to play it much safer in the graphic and violent aspect within the initial episodes of the season.
Episode 1 spends a lot of time introducing each character, building up the background behind the father’s demise, the creepy myths of the house they have inherited, and the magical powers of the keys that Bode begins to discover.
The first episode while slow, does a great job in setting up the characters and storyline we may come to expect. It’s eases the audience into the ‘creep’ factor, and illusioned effects of the house and ‘Echo’. Episode one left me desperate for more. Wanting more of the lore of the house, the understanding of Echo, of the keys and just wanting more of the overall creepiness.
Episode two let me down. Episode two continuously reintroduces characters. Most of the duration of the episode is spent on flashbacks, and every scene where one of the main characters is a focal point it shows how one dimensional the characters are and half way through the episode I sadly lost all interest the pilot gave me. Maybe I am being harsh as a person who has never read the graphic novel.
I just found the show lacking in the charisma it’s similar counterparts have easily delivered on. Locke & Key is the ‘kid’ version of the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets The Haunting of Hill House. The characters themselves are tiresome, and while they may improve in the following episodes I don’t have the motivation or the time to really see it through with a mediocre show.
I’m going to pass on this show, and honestly if you aren’t a fan of the graphic novel I’m not sure the TV show was made for audiences like you or me.
Review by Sandra Porter
