Spoiler-Free Review of “Brand New Cherry Flavor” on Netflix: Freaky and Bizarre

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“There’s only one you…so who are you?”

Brand New Cherry Flavor premiered on Netflix on August 13th 2021 with eight episodes available to stream now. The limited revenge horror series stars Rosa Salazar, Catherine Keener, Eric Lange, Jeff Ward, and Manny Jacinto. Each episode runs for approximately 40-45 minutes.

The show centers around a young filmmaker named Lisa Nova, who has recently moved to L.A. to try and make her directorial debut with her eccentric short film. After being wronged by a rich movie producer, she makes a deal with a dangerous witch to get her revenge.

Here is the trailer:

Brand New Cherry Flavor initially feels like a dream come true with its talented lead actress and dark premise, but this may be the strangest show I have seen yet. Is it worth a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Strong female leads.

Rosa Salazar and Catherine Keener are electric on screen. They both reel you in with their character portrayals. They are more than just believable. They are the best part of the show and they really committed to their roles and then some.

I’d love to see Rosa Salazar in more because she was truly fantastic!

Images courtesy of Netflix

Intriguing start.

I was immediately pulled into this show with the first few episodes. The plot gives off a dark noir vibe with some extreme body horror thrown in for shock value. There is a mystery surrounding the witch and what the consequences will be if Lisa makes a deal with her.

But things start to get really weird after that…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Extremely gross and weird…

This show is not for those with a weak stomach. Do not watch this show while eating. You’ll thank me later. I’ve seen a lot of weird shows before, but this one may take the cake. Things were weird from the start and really disgusting, but as the show continued, things got even stranger.

I mean, really strange.

The plot goes off the rails.

Even with all of the extreme body horror and weird things going on, I was initially drawn into the plot and the performances made it worthwhile to stick around. However, as things continued, the plot started to really fall apart for me. I thought that the extreme gross moments started to become the center of the series as the plot lost its way.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m 50/50 on this one…

The performances of Salazar and Keener were honestly the best part of the series. I think that this show would have worked better as a movie rather than a limited series. It started off strong for me, but it almost felt like it ran out of ideas and just started to throw in disgusting nonsense to keep the audience there until the end reveal, which was just all right for me.

I really enjoyed watching Rosa Salazar on screen and I think that if anyone else had played this part, I probably would have tuned out much sooner.

This show will most likely get a lot of viewers because it is quickly getting a reputation for being the grossest thing that Netflix has ever released. They may be on to something here because I’m not sure if I will be able to keep my lunch down after watching this…

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Brand New Cherry Flavor in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Slasher: Flesh & Blood” Season 4 on Shudder: Knives Out with Gut-Wrenching Gore

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Sometimes families get complicated…”

Slasher: Flesh & Blood was released on August 12th 2021. While the first three seasons are available to stream on Netflix, season 4 is on Shudder. The first two episodes are available to stream now and the remaining ones will air weekly. There will be eight episodes in total.

The series stars Paula Brancati, Christopher Jacot, Sabrina Grdevich, Sydney Meyer, Rachael Crawford and David Cronenberg. Each episode runs for approximately 40-45 minutes.

A dysfunctional family gets together on a secluded island for a reunion, but things get complicated when they learn that the head of the family is dying. The family will compete in a series of deadly games to win the inheritance, but there is another masked killer on the loose to make things interesting.

Here is the trailer:

Slasher: Flesh & Blood has an interesting premise, reminding us of Knives Out, Harper’s Island, and Ready or Not, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A plot that draws you in immediately.

I am a huge fan of the Slasher anthology series and even though I find some seasons stronger than others, Slasher always has a way of drawing you in right from the start. I never look at the description before I start a season because I want to be surprised and as soon as I started up season 4, I was excited about the killer family plot on a secluded island.

Let’s just hope everything else lives up to the set-up because it’s a brilliant one.

Gruesome gore.

If you’re a fan of the show, then you know you are probably going to get gratuitous sex scenes and lots and lots of stomach-turning gore. Well, season 4 is off to a great start with this. The gore is extreme and there is a scene in the second episode that had my own stomach in knots.

If you’re here for bloody slasher fun, you’re in the right place.

The Cons:

Unnecessary character development.

I don’t watch this show for the characters although there have been a few stand-out ones over the seasons. This group is clearly filled with ruthless, selfish people who are in for a rude and bloody awakening. So far, the first two episodes have spent a little bit too much time on character flashbacks and development.

Sure, the gory kills offset this to balance everything out, but I want to feel a more seamless connection between episodes and I’m not sure that we need the heavy character development to further the plot along.

That being said, I’m confident that Slasher will not disappoint with its future episodes. Every season has shocked me and I know that we are in for some surprises, twists, and crazy reveals.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

I love this series and I am so excited that it has returned. Slasher doesn’t hold back when it comes to its gruesome kills and plot twists. I’m always thrown for a loop and I can’t wait to see what reveals come our way with the new season.

The pacing needs some work, but I’m hoping that the later episodes pick up speed so we can fully enjoy the show. I’m confident that we will get there!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Slasher: Flesh & Blood in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Kevin Can F… Himself” on AMC: Killer Concept

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“I’ve been thinking…”

Kevin Can F Himself premiered on AMC on June 20th 2021 with the first two episodes. The remaining six episodes will air weekly and you can watch them earlier on AMC+. Each episode runs for approximately 42 minutes. The dark comedy show stars Annie Murphy, Eric Petersen, Mary Hollis Inboden and Raymond Lee.

The series mixes genres as it follows a traditional sitcom routine while balancing in some drama and dark comedy. Allison lives in Worcester, Mass. and is married to a complete idiot named Kevin. She starts to break out of her typical housewife role to determine what she really wants for herself…and it may include murdering her husband.

Here is the trailer:

Kevin Can F*** Himself has an amazing and unique premise that allows sitcom wives a chance at redemption, but does the execution of this killer idea fall flat? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Allison and Patty rule!

I would expect the women on this show to kick ass and they do so. Annie Murphy is perfection and I am really intrigued by the character of Patty. I think the dynamic between them just works and I really enjoy seeing them on screen together. Even without a lot of set-up, you just automatically root for them and that’s part of what this show is about.

The darker parts of the show are pure magic.

I wasn’t really sure what I was going to get with this show. This isn’t the type of show I would normally watch, but I was really intrigued by the trailers and I like Annie Murphy. I think she is a terrific actress. The show is partially a response to the Kevin James sitcom series, Kevin Can Wait, when they decided to kill off the wife without ever properly addressing it on the series.

I haven’t watch that show, but now I kind of want to go back to it and see what actually happened there. This isn’t the first time that a female character has been killed off without any real explanation and I think it’s about time the women have their revenge. The show is layered with several genres, but it works differently than WandaVision, which I absolutely loved!

In WandaVision, I fell in love with the sitcom nostalgia and enjoyed every part of the show, but on Kevin Can F Himself, the sitcom parts are actually really hard to sit through and I think that’s part of the point.

The comedy falls flat and Allison is forced to undergo this living hell…and so are we. It makes her character more sympathetic and when we get into the darker parts, they just work. I loved seeing her research at the library and the ending minutes of the pilot episode were pure perfection for me.

The Cons:

The execution is wavering.

The supporting characters are forgettable and annoying and I found myself wanting more of the darker drama rather than the balance between this and the traditional sitcom. I get the point of it, but this is such a unique premise and I don’t want it to be over-complicated. Sometimes less is more.

The pacing also needs some work. I thought that the opening episode was stronger than the second one, but this show dragged a lot and it needs to pick up the pace so it doesn’t lose its audience because this show deserves a watch.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

I am actually really intrigued by this show and I think that Annie Murphy is putting forth a valiant effort here. The show is creating a necessary dialogue and it’s hard not to root for her. I think that the show needs to find its identity and not lose itself within the magic of the idea. It needs to deliver and I’m hoping that we get there in the next episodes.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Kevin Can F Himself in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Lucifer” Season 5B on Netflix: Emotional Perfection

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Everyone deserves a second chance…”

Lucifer follows the devil himself, who decides to take a vacation on earth while teaming up with Detective Chloe Decker to solve crimes. Season 5B features the remaining eight episodes of the fifth season. It premiered on May 28th 2021 and all episodes are available to stream now. The show stars Tom Ellis, Lauren German, Kevin Alejandro, D.B. Woodside, and Lesley Ann-Brandt.

After some epic moments in the first half of the fifth season, Lucifer now has to deal with his family head on. The episodes present the audience with a roller coaster ride of emotions as we laugh, cry, and root for our favorite characters against all odds.

Here is the trailer:

Lucifer Season 5B was truly moving and entertaining from start to finish. There were some standout episodes, but the crescendo of moments mirroring Lucifer’s quest to find himself have a serious impact, leading to a cliffhanger ending that will leave you wanting even more.

So, is Lucifer season 5B worth a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Great guest stars and returning favorites.

If you watched season 5, then you know that God has arrived. There has been a lot of family drama between the angels, but God really was a delight to watch and I thought Dennis Haysbert was truly outstanding and a welcomed addition.

I was worried that the family drama might become overdone, but it really helped shed some light on the dynamic between all of the characters and it also brought us some hilarious moments as well.

We also got to see several familiar faces throughout the second half of season 5, but there will be no spoilers here. Let’s just say that you’ll be happy to see them!

Images courtesy of Netflix

Standout episodes and performances.

Much like the first half of season 5, there were some more standout episodes that really had me entertained. Season 5, episode 12 was a welcomed surprise. Some of these episodes actually really had me channeling some Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well, which is a good thing.

I don’t like to make too many comparisons to one of my favorite shows of all time, but there really was a great balance throughout the second half of the season that deserves some serious recognition.

Real character development.

We’ve seen Lucifer grow over the seasons, but I thought that Tom Ellis did an exceptional job in the second half of the season. When we got to the big moments, he really had me in tears and there were a lot of heartbreaking moments to deal with, but I felt like we had a worthy redeemed hero to guide us through them, which made me care about the show even more.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Needed more Deckerstar.

I shouldn’t really complain because we got plenty of that in the first half of the season, but I was missing some of the epic moments at first and I also thought that Chloe didn’t really seem like herself. There was a lot of talk about sacrifice, but I lost part of what makes Chloe who she is and I had some mixed thoughts on it.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!

Season 5 really stepped up to the challenge. There were some really fun moments, but there were also some really heartbreaking ones too that still have me in tears. I think these moments were necessary; however, as it gave the show the fuel it needs to become something truly extraordinary as our characters start to realize who they are and who they can still become and I’m excited to be along for the journey.

I can’t wait to see what happens next in season 6!

Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Lucifer season 5B in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Who Killed Sara?” Season 2 on Netflix: Addicting in all the Right Ways

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“The path to vengeance always leads to two graves…”

Who Killed Sara? season two premiered on Netflix on May 19th 2021 with eight episodes available to stream now. The series stars Manola Cardona, Alejandro Nones, Carolina Miranda, Ximena Lamadrid and Eugenio Siller. Each episode runs for approximately 40-45 minutes.

The Mexican crime series, ¿Quién mató a Sara? season 2 still focuses on Alex’s journey of revenge, but it also unlocks more secrets of Sara’s past as we learn that things were not as they seemed, leading to devastating consequences.

Here is the trailer:

Who Killed Sara? season one was such a delightful surprise and was beyond binge-worthy, but can season two keep up the pace? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Thrills, reveals and cliffhangers during every episode.

Much like the first season, the second season also starts off with a bang. At the end of the first episode, I was literally hitting play so quickly to get to the next one and the show does a good job of replicating this clever formula during each episode to keep you coming back for more.

There are so many twists in the second season and the fast overall pace continued which made the second season just as binge-worthy as the first.

Pieces of the puzzle unlocked.

The first season aired in March and I was beyond thrilled to find out that we would get the second season so quickly. I had so many questions at the end of the first season and the second season helped us fill in the blanks by witnessing more of Sara’s past.

The flashbacks were necessary and important, as we started to piece together the mystery at hand while allowing us to connect with some of the other characters more.

The Cons:

Sub-plots and unnecessary fluff.

If you watched the first season of the series, then you know that you will be getting a lot of intense action, but you also will be getting some outrageous sub-plots and some unnecessary fluff and sex scenes. I think that the second season toned things down slightly, but some of the sub-plots were stronger than others…

Confusing time jumps.

The flashbacks to Sara and Alex’s past when they were teenagers made perfect sense to me and fit into each episode seamlessly. However, the second season also decided to add in time jumps during present day which were kind of confusing. We would witness an event and then in the next episode, see it from another character’s perspective, but I had to keep reminding myself about where we were in time and what was actually going on.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

I didn’t think that season two would be able to live up to season one and it exceeded my expectations. I watched all eight episodes in one day because I had to know what happened.

Who Killed Sara? is a binge-watcher’s dream. It is a non-stop thrill ride that will leave you guessing and wanting more with each episode.

The mystery is far from over based on that cliffhanger ending and I can’t wait for this show to return!

It looks like we should be getting a season three based on the message at the end of the credits, but we’ll have to wait for Netflix to confirm its release date.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Who Killed Sara? in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Jupiter’s Legacy” on Netflix: Standard Super Hero Show

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“We have these powers for a reason…”

Jupiter’s Legacy is a superhero action series that premiered on Netflix on May 7th 2021. There are eight episodes for part one that are available to stream now. The show stars Josh Duhamel, Leslie Bibb, Matt Lanter, Andrew Horton and Elena Kampouris. Each episode runs for approximately 40-45 minutes.

Based on the comic series of the same name, the show follows a group of superheroes who attempt to hand over their responsibilities to the new generation, but a dangerous threat gets in the way of their moral code.

Here is the trailer:

Jupiter’s Legacy is the latest series to bring a comic book to life for a new audience, but is there enough substance here to keep you coming back for more? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Familiar faces.

Josh Duhamel and Leslie Bibb make a pretty good team although some of Josh’s acting left a lot to be desired and what was with that wig? I was also really glad to see Matt Lanter on this series as well and I think that the rest of the cast did a decent enough job with what they were given.

Interesting flashbacks.

I actually preferred the flashbacks with the origin story more than the present day events. The time period itself was more interesting and I thought that the writers paid more attention here to keep the audience invested. While some of the flashbacks seemed forced, there was enough going on here to make them connect to the overall story without overdoing it.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Mediocre plot.

I got halfway through the series and started to ask myself if I even liked what I was watching. That tells me that the series is decent enough, but there is nothing truly spectacular going on to make you have to watch this.

This show could very easily fit into The CW’s lineup and I gave up on those superhero shows after wasting too much time on Arrow after it went off the deep end.

Much like the DC shows on The CW, there’s enough superhero action and drama going on here, but it’s nothing you haven’t seen before.

No humor.

One thing I really needed in this show was some well placed humor. Since the plot was already so mediocre, it needed something to prevent the series from feeling too heavy and melodramatic.

Much like Walker and October Faction, this show tried to focus on a balance between family drama and action, but it just felt dull and uninspiring.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m 50/50 on this one.

The show is watchable and if you really enjoy superhero action series, you will feel right at home with this one. There were some moments sprinkled in and a couple of stand-out performances, but the show just felt like a standard superhero show to me that will most likely become very forgettable in the long run.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Jupiter’s Legacy in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Innocent” on Netflix: “The Stranger” has finally met its match!

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“The first day of the rest of your life…”

Harlan Coben’s The Innocent (El Inocente) premiered on Netflix on April 30th 2021. The Spanish mini-series features eight episodes available to stream now. It stars Mario Casas, Aura Garrido, Alexandra Jiménez and Juana Acosta. Each episode runs for approximately 55-60 minutes.

After an accidental killing, Mateo Vidal is released from prison and thinks that he can start his life over when he meets the love of his life. Years later, a disturbing phone call tangles him in a dangerous and deadly web of deception involving the murder of a young nun.

Here is the trailer:

The Innocent immediately submerges us back into the brilliant and mysterious world of Harlan Coben, as his novel comes to life on the small screen. While many of his shows have delivered in the past, can any show measure up to The Stranger? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

A captivating mystery that lures you in.

Harlan Coben is so talented at creating such a layered mystery and he does it over and over again with his books. In this latest adaption of his novel, we are immersed into this new mystery that immediately hooks us from the very first episode.

It was so engrossing and well done. Much like The Stranger, I was on the edge of my seat and I could not stop watching this series. It is that good!

Inspiring characters.

The characters were developed so well and as soon as I thought I had my mind made up about someone, something drastic would happen to change my mind completely. I became so invested in the well-being of each character and even the flashbacks were really interesting and held my attention the entire time.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

A lot of sub-plots.

This should come as no surprise because it is always listed as my con for any Harlan Coben series and at this point, I’m used to it. That being said, you have to invest a lot of time and energy into this series. If you stop paying attention, you will miss something important that will connect later on.

I also thought that the opening episode was so incredibly strong and then when we switched narratives in the second episode, it was really jarring and I almost thought I was watching a different show.

However, the payoff is worth it and I recommend that you stick around even if these initial subplots and narrative changes seem confusing.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 1000 percent!!!!!

The Innocent is an engrossing mystery from start to finish. This series is so addicting and it will keep you guessing at every new reveal. I didn’t think that another Harlan Coben series could come close to The Stranger and The Innocent is giving it a run for its money. Wow!

It is the absolute perfect binge-watch and the show I have been waiting for!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Innocent in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Shadow and Bone” on Netflix: Entertaining but Jam-Packed Fantasy

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“The dark is a place that is full of monsters…”

Shadow and Bone premiered on Netflix on April 23rd 2021. The series features eight episodes available to stream now. It stars Jessie Mei Li, Archie Renaux, Ben Barnes, Freddy Carter, and Amita Suman. Each episode runs for approximately 55 minutes.

Based on the popular Grisha book series, Shadow and Bone follows a mapmaker orphan named Alina Starkov who discovers a power within her that could change the world.

Here is the trailer:

Shadow and Bone is jam-packed with quite a lot, but it’s easy to get lost without proper context. While this show channels a familiar plot, it does have a lot going on to keep us invested. Does it do enough to stand out as a proper fantasy series? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Entertaining at its core.

The show is clever about the placement of events during each episode. While there is a lot going on, it does enough to keep you coming back for more, which makes this series binge-watch worthy. I thought the very end of the pilot episode was so well done and I was immediately hooked.

Much like Game of Thrones and The Witcher, the audience sits around waiting for a pay off, but when these scenes arrive, they are brilliantly done and you remember why you are watching the show in the first place.

Immersive world.

I thought that this realm or world was so intriguing. I’ve watched and read a lot of teen dystopian-esque fantasy series and it was really extraordinary to see this particular world come to life. I think it really worked in the show’s favor not having it take place in the “real world,” adding to the fantasy elements.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Wishy-Washy Chosen One.

I’m all for a story about a female chosen one and I had very high expectations for Alina Starkov. She has these really cool abilities and a great story to work with, but there was something lacking here. I thought that Jessica Mei Li gave a solid performance, but I had trouble connecting with her.

I want to be rooting for my female lead from the start and that didn’t really happen here even though there were some glimmers throughout the series of strength and potential. I think that the supporting characters captured more of my attention, which shows that there was a great cast, but I wanted more from our lead.

Fantasy by the numbers with awkward wide eyed stares…

You can check off each of your fantasy tropes with this particular series. I didn’t really mind them, but it didn’t help this series stand out from The Hunger Games and Divergent, which have similar plots.

I also could not take the constant wide eyed stares between the characters that seemed to last for over five minutes at a time. We can do a better job of creating moments without this…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in…

This series is packed with a lot. I think that fans of the book series will enjoy it for the most part. The series made a valiant effort to bring this world to life while introducing it to a new audience. You really have to pay attention to this show and probably need a guide to keep track of everything, but if you are looking for an entertaining fantasy binge-watch, you’re in the right place.

Overall, this series does enough to bring us into this world and I was invested and entertained throughout my watch.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Shadow and Bone in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Irregulars” on Netflix: Elementary Plot by the Numbers

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“A darkness has entered this city…”

The Irregulars premiered on Netflix on March 26th 2021 with eight episodes available to stream now. The series stars Thaddea Graham, Darci Shaw, Harrison Osterfield, Royce Pierreson, and Henry Lloyd Hughes. Each episode runs for approximately 55-60 minutes.

The series is set in Victorian London and follows a group of teen outcasts who are hired by Dr. Watson to investigate supernatural occurrences. We quickly learn that they are not hired by accident, leading to a mystery involving the infamous Sherlock Holmes.

Here is the trailer:

The Irregulars presents us with an interesting premise, but a plot we have seen many times before. However, does it work in the show’s favor to have Watson and Holmes in the background? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Interesting characters and solid performances.

Stand-out performances go to Thaddea Graham and Darci Shaw as sisters, Bea and Jessie. I also thoroughly enjoyed Leopold’s character portrayed by Harrison Osterfield. Some of the other supporting characters could have been easily interchanged with other stock characters, but I thought there was good chemistry and believable moments between the sisters.

That being said, I was underwhelmed by both Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes and I realize we are supposed to be focusing on the teen characters, but I would have still gravitated toward them without being forced to do so because of unlikable portrayals.

Cringe-worthy horror sprinkled in.

The show presented us with a mix of several different genres, but I was pleased with the elements of horror. Even though we have a young adult group of characters, the show didn’t hold anything back in terms of some of the dark supernatural occurrences we witness and I appreciated that.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Lack of cohesiveness between the group.

While I enjoyed many of the characters individually, there was something lacking between the group as a whole which made it difficult to connect and root for them. Everything felt very dark and depressing and I wanted to see a little bit more humor thrown into the mix even though the show made a failed effort several times.

This is not the first film or show we have seen about young adults working together to take on a mystery or an evil threat. The Goonies, The Lost Boys, IT, and Stranger Things all come to mind. Part of what makes this formula work so well is the overall chemistry between the group. I think that if the show had focused on that a little bit more, I would have liked the end result more.

A tired plot with nothing new and super long episodes.

Each episode is almost an hour long, which did not work in the show’s favor. I felt like many of the episodes dragged and there was fluff where it didn’t need to be. While I found Jessie’s psychic/supernatural abilities interesting, I have seen this plot before. There is a rift threatening to destroy the world and only one girl may be able to stop it…

That being said, I love this plot and some of my favorite shows and films feature it, but I wanted something new thrown our way to prevent it from feeling stale and overdone and I’m afraid this show did not achieve that for me. The reveals were also really predictable.

I also think that the show didn’t really discover what it truly wanted to be. Episode three probably came the closest to actual brilliance, but the other episodes did not measure up and just lacked finesse.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m 50/50 on this one.

The show had a lot of entertaining qualities, but there were so many things that just really frustrated me. I think that with several tweaks, this show could have been really spectacular, but it failed to deliver, which was extremely disappointing.

I don’t think it presented the Watson/Holmes dynamic that well and it almost seemed like a manipulative way to earn viewers. The show had some glimmers of value and entertainment, but I’m not sure that you need to rush this to the top of your watch-list.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Irregulars in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The One” on Netflix: Being Matched can be Deadly

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“We all make our choices…”

The One premiered on Netflix on March 12th 2021 with eight episodes available to stream now. The series stars Hannah Ware, Zoë Tapper, Lois Chimimba, and Eric Kofi-Abrefa. Each episode runs for approximately 40-44 minutes.

Based on the book of the same name, the series centers around a popular dating app that promises to genetically match you with your true love. While it initially seems too good to be true, happy couples end up testing out their curiosity. Actions lead to deadly consequences as stable relationships are destroyed.

Here is the trailer:

The One may seem extremely similar to the plot of AMC’s Soulmates anthology series, but it adds in a murder mystery to give itself a unique edge. The thriller drama checks off everything needed for your next binge-watch, but does it do enough to separate itself from its predecessor? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Intriguing concept wrapped in a guilty pleasure mystery.

I’ve never seen Soulmates, but I read the synopsis and agree that the plots sound extremely similar. That being said, I think that the concept is actually really interesting. What if you eliminate everything you know about finding true love with science?

It sounds like a fairy-tale and too good to be true, but this show does a good job of exploring this concept while strategically revealing the pros and cons of changing the rules of dating forever.

There is also this dark mystery surrounding the main character, which keeps the viewer coming back for more.

Easy to binge-watch.

The pace moves very quickly and I thought that the amount of episodes paired with the length worked in its favor. There are many shows like this that drag and drag and this one was able to keep me watching for hours at a time.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Frustrating characters.

I mean, really frustrating. The dumb decisions continue over and over again which made it really difficult to connect to any of the characters except for maybe Kate, who was an actual likable police detective.

Rebecca is a villainess without any flair, but I actually thought her flashbacks were much more interesting and I would have liked to see more of a balance between her past and present self because it felt like a jarring disconnect.

Imitation is not always the sincerest form of flattery.

While I didn’t see Soulmates, many of the reviews I read are comparing the two and saying that this show pales in comparison. I think that it helped that I didn’t watch that show because I went into this show with fresh eyes, but I could see why this would be a con for some viewers.

Also, I didn’t read the novel, but many fans on social media are saying that the series really strays from the plot of the book, which makes me wonder why?

Sometimes doing too much forces the issue and I think that if this show had smoothed out some of its inconsistencies, it might have actually been something truly brilliant. The concept is there, but some things were not executed properly.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in about 75 percent.

I thought that this show got much better as it went on. While I have some reservations about it and there are some inconsistencies, annoying characters, and a lot going on, the show still has an addicting backbone at its core. It does enough to keep you coming back for more.

While I have seen a lot of comparisons to Big Little Lies and The Stranger, I thought that the show felt closest to What/If on Netflix. We have the ruthless villainess and a manipulative mind game weaving characters together while sprinkling in a murder mystery.

Like What/If, I finished this show very quickly and was never really bored. However, I was frustrated with both shows because I wanted a lot more from them and I think with a few tweaks, they could have achieved this goal.

While I enjoyed this thriller more than Behind Her Eyes and Tell Me Your Secrets, which were both disappointing, I’m still hoping for my next diamond in the rough.

If you enjoy guilty pleasure thrillers and are in need of a quick weekend watch, I recommend this, but if you are looking for something with more layers and heart, I would sit this one out.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The One in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

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