429. Web-series Reviews – 236
More web-series reviews…
A review from IMDB for the first season...
If you expect slasher or horror based on jump-scares, skip "Murder House". Although the series contains these elements, it is primarily a psychological horror. Maybe even not so much horror as a psychological drama-thriller seasoned with horror. I didn't find it scary at all, but the well-constructed mysterious and dark atmosphere completely captivated me from the first episode.
The first thing that caught my eye was the visual aspect of the series. The camera, directing and editing are commendable and accompanied by excellent sound and music create an all-pervading eerie atmosphere.
The story idea itself is not particularly original. Attracted by the unusually low price, the family moves into a beautiful old house, not knowing the history of madness and crimes that took place there, and gave a whole new meaning to the term "haunted house". However, even though the basic premise is a cliché of the genre, the way the series deals with clichés, thoroughness in building a dramatic and unpredictable story, and most of all, the strong characterization of believable, life-like characters, and their excellent dialogues, make the script of the first season of "American Horror Story" one of the best I met in the genre, and I saw hundreds.
The main asset of the first season is striking characters and their masterfully interwoven relationships. There are quite a few characters and not one is neglected. They're all essential to the story, they're all superbly written and, perhaps most importantly, they're brought to life even better by, I daresay, a perfect cast. There are too many to mention, although they all deserve it, but I have to single out the performances of Evan Peters and Jessica Lange, whose nonchalant creepiness is mesmerizing.
I watched these twelve episodes as hypnotized, almost from the beginning deciding to give the series a ten out of ten, but the last episode somewhat spoiled the overall impression. They could have left the story unfinished, ending it with the eleventh episode and it would have been a clean ten. Even the first twenty minutes of the last episode wraps up the story nicely and is quite spot on. But then comes the last half hour, overcrowded, rushed, contrived, and banal half hour, which has absolutely no place there. The idea implemented in those half an hour is not bad in itself, although it is unnecessary, but the realization that would maintain the level of the rest of the season would require at least a couple of additional episodes. This way we got a forced extension, which is a bit redundant, and even more blistering because of the humor that breaks the dark and tense atmosphere.
My Take – An excellent series. Saw only the first season.
The Survivors – Came in 2025. Fifteen years ago, a storm devastated the coastal town of Evelyn Bay and took three young people: Kieran's older brother, Finn, Mia's best friend, Gabby, and Finn's friend, Toby. Burdened by guilt, Kieran and Mia escaped.
A review from IMDB...
The Survivors doesn't rush to impress, and that's its quiet power. This Aussie noir creeps in with a stormy backdrop, a decades-old trauma, and a town that's weathered more than it lets on. Across six episodes, it proves that mystery thrillers don't need high-octane spectacle to leave a mark... just sharp writing, strong performances, and a willingness to sit with the uncomfortable.
At the center is Charlie Vickers as Kieran, returning home to a place where grief and blame haven't moved on. Vickers is a revelation: his performance is layered with restraint, guilt, and the kind of internal chaos that rarely makes it to screen without being overplayed. Around him, Georgina Haig and the supporting ensemble carry just as much emotional weight, often saying more with glances than dialogue.
Director Victoria Haralabidou deserves credit for the show's pacing: deliberate but never indulgent. The atmosphere builds like a storm front, and when things finally crack in Ep 6, it feels earned. The final reveal isn't a shocking twist... it's a cold, inevitable truth that sticks.
Visually, the show leans into the bleak beauty of the Tasmanian coast - moody skies, dark water, and landscapes that echo the characters' inner states. The score is subtle, haunting, and effective.
It's not perfect. Ep 4 sags, and some emotional arcs feel slightly undercooked. But as a whole, The Survivors is compelling, mature, and unafraid to be quiet. It rewards patience, and lingers long after the credits roll.
7.5/10 Worth a Watch.
My Take – Worth a watch!
Death Valley – Came in 2025. Retired actor John Chapel and detective sergeant Janie Mallowan team up to investigate murders each week in Wales.
A review from IMDB...
The show kicks off with what seems like an open and shut suicide in a bucolic village but Chapel, relying on his acting instincts, senses foul play. Janie, initially irritated by his amateur sleuthing, slowly warms to his unconventional insights. Together, this odd couple tackles murder cases ranging from village dignitaries to walking group tragedies, all threaded with witty banter, cozy crime tropes, and light hearted investigative drama.
Critics have praised the series' charm and chemistry. The Guardian dubbed it "a cosy, witty joy," likening it to "Midsomer Murders with jokes. The Daily Telegraph awarded the opener 4/5 stars, highlighting Spall's engaging performance and his character's rivalry with Ludwig, a classic detective persona. BritBox, which streams the show in the US, describes it as a traditional mystery with comedic flair.
Supporting cast includes Steffan Rhodri as DCI Barry Clarke, Alexandria Riley, Rithvik Andugula, Melanie Walters, Patricia Hodge, among others, who round out the local suspects, victims, and red herrings populating the Welsh countryside.
Beneath the playful tone lie arcs in which Chapel grapples with grief for his late wife, while Janie confronts her own emotional ghosts-bolstering the warm rapport that develops between them.
With its scenic Welsh backdrop, engaging leads, and classic whodunit charm spiced with humor, "Death Valley" offers a refreshing twist on cosy crime TV. Whether you're drawn by Timothy Spall's seasoned presence or the cozy mysteries, it's well worth adding to your watchlist.
A light hearted and amusing amateur sleuth series but with serious problems with the images. Whether or not the producers thought that maladjusting the black level up for every scene making the whole series look foggy and smoky and using this as a high key effect or whether the post production process was very poor is a moot point!
My Take – An excellent series!
Adios till next time😊!!
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