465. Web-series Reviews – 264

More web-series reviews…

The Institute – Came in 2025. The plot centers around Luke Ellis whose parents are murdered in the middle of the night by intruders. Luke wakes up at The Institute in a room that looks just like his own, except there's no window. Outside his door are other doors, behind which are other kids with special talents, such as telekinesis and telepathy, who got there the same way Luke did. Based on the Novel by Stephen King.

A review from IMDB...

If you didnt read the book, dont bother reading all these negative reviews from the bookreading community, they have unrealistic expectations since the movie isnt like they played out the book in their head while reading it.

While some criticism is valid, for example the dialogue during the start of the show feels offputting and unnatural, also some of the characters are not really fleshed out (yet). But criticism about the plot or the pacing or everything else is just baseless hate.

The show after the initial 15mins or something had me HOOKED and binging through all available 5 episodes, I have no idea how anyone can watch this show and dont want to know what happens next, a kid gets abducted and wakes up in a weird insttute where he has to supposedly "serve humankind" by absolving "tests" against his will, it revolves around supernatural stuff but you can feel they are not training these kids to become a superhero, there is something really dark and sinister going on.

Since this is more of a mystery/horror show, I feel like you dont need to spend too much time on character development and exploring their past to justify their point of view, no, they are just bad people, doing bad stuff not only for their personal gain and because its their job, but because they believe they are doing the right thing. The portrayal of the characters were believable enough to me. Also the show has the atmosphere of Stephen Kings "The Long Walk", lingering death that is inevitable, brought to you by people who act robotic, devoid of human emotion.

My Take – Worth a watch!

 

The Good Detective – 2 seasons from 2020-22. Set in Incheon, South Korea, detectives try to catch criminals, who hide ugly truths. Kang Do Chang has worked as a detective for the past 18 years. He was born and raised in Incheon. He investigates cases using his experience and personal connections, forgoing scientific technique or reasoning power. Oh Ji Hyuk is an elite detective. He has 9 years of experience. Unlike Kang Do Chang, he investigates cases using evidence and insight into the criminal's psyche. Due to trauma from his childhood, he does not share his feelings. He is wealthy thanks to his late uncle, who left him with a large inheritance. Jin Seo Kyung works as a newspaper reporter. She is a 5 year veteran and passionate about her work.

A review from IMDB...

This South Korean series is set primarily in the city of Incheon. Our protagonists are veteran detective Kang Do-chang, who tends to rely on his long experience and the connections he has made, and Oh Ji-hyuk, an up-and-coming high flier who relies on firm evidence and psychological insight into the suspects. They are part of Violent Crime Division Two; while other team members are secondary they are still important to the series.

In the first season questions are raised concerning the guilt of a man sentenced to hang. Do-chang is initially convinced that he is the killer but as the investigation progresses he starts to have his doubts. As the season progresses more suspects emerge and questions are raised about the initial investigation.

The second series sees the team caught up in a serial killer case after they arrest a suspect in a minor case yards away from where a body is found the next day. The serial killer is being hunted by a team from Seoul and their leader is keen to blame the arrested man, who has unfortunately now been released. Events lead to the case being swiftly closed; but then another body is found... is it a copycat or did the police get the wrong man? Even after a killer is arrested questions remain about one of the victims and suspicion falls on those at the top of one of Korea's most powerful conglomerates.

I thought this was a really enjoyable series. Each season provides a good mystery with plenty of interesting characters. The stories are told in a way that keeps the viewer ahead of the detectives but not too far. This means the twist, of which there are quite a few, are still fun without feeling as if they come out of nowhere. As anybody who has watched any Korean dramas would expect there is a good degree of comedy; this comes from the characters rather than forced gags. The cast does a really fine job creating characters the viewer it likely to care about so moments of tension can have one worrying about their safety. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to fans of Korean crime drama.

These comments are based on watching the series in Korean with English subtitles.

My Take – An excellent series. Saw both the seasons.

 

Shodha – Came in 2025. After his wife vanishes following a deadly accident, Rohith reports her missing. When police find her, he insists the woman isn't really his wife.

A review from IMDB...

This is a remake of the 2024 ZEE5 original Khoj, with a few tweaks in the storyline. For those who have not watched the original, this version may appear fresh, but in reality, it struggles to justify its originality.

Where Khoj thrived on Sharib Hashmi's nuanced and natural performance, the remake falters. Pawan Kumar, despite his earnest effort, fails to bring the same emotional depth to his role. His portrayal often feels restrained, leaving pivotal moments without the weight they demand. Siri Ravikumar has done some justice to her character, but doesn't leave any impact either. None of the other supporting cast members rise to the occasion either making the overall casting one of the weakest aspects of the series.

The format also works against it. With each episode running under 20 minutes, the narrative rarely gets the breathing space needed to build emotional resonance. Scenes that could have lingered and left an impact are hurried along, reducing their effectiveness.

Overall, while the remake has its moments, it feels like a missed opportunity. A stronger cast and more room for storytelling depth might have elevated it beyond a passable watch.

My Take – An ok series.

Adios till next time😊!!