Series Review: From, Season 1

I've been hearing a lot about From and finally made time to watch it. Of course, the main reason I even bothered was because it’s a horror series. 😈😈

Quick Recap

Individuals and families from across the country all end up in one town after supposedly losing their way. But there’s a catch: you can’t leave. Stranded with no way out, the townsfolk band together to stay alive as terrifying creatures come out at night to feed on them.

The Pilot

Nothing tells the goodness of a series like its pilot. The pilot is perhaps the most important episode a series can have because it determines whether you’ll want to continue or not.

Before I continue, if you were wondering where you saw Sheriff Boyd before: his name is Harold Perrineau and if you've seen The Best Man and The Best Man Holiday then you probably know who he is. He played Julian. I had to double-check to be sure he was the same guy since he looks bulkier here.

Anyway, back to the movie.
As soon as I saw the Sheriff ringing the bell, I just knew something was up because people started closing up and running inside. A town so small shouldn’t have many problems, right?

Wrong.
It had a whole lot of problems.

The First Series Death

That first death was an eye-opener to what the series had in store, but something in me couldn’t quite understand why the mum didn’t immediately run up and stop her. Or better still, how the dad forgot to nail it in.

Children are always susceptible to everything: possession, dolls, aliens feigning friendship, etc. It was sad watching that family come to an end, but again it showed the gravity of the living conditions of the people.

As I watched it, I wondered what would happen in a city like Lagos, Nigeria, if something like that were to exist. Can you imagine how crazy it would be?

The Townsfolk

If you’re familiar with any survivor-based films, be it Lost, The Walking Dead, Manifest, etc., you’ll begin to notice certain types of people.

Set 1: The Do-Gooders
This set just wants to help as much as they can. Not because they have all the answers or aren’t scared themselves, but because they just want to see everyone get home and be well.

Set 2: The Crazies
This set is always on the verge of some heinous crime. They go insane first, are easily manipulated by the malevolent forces, and sometimes, when it counts, they turn for the better.

Set 3: The Un-Realists
These ones find it so difficult to come to terms with their reality. They build ideas and come up with constructions that fit their reasoning rather than their current state.

Set 4: The Bystanders
For this group, they neither help nor derail. They just stay and do nothing. They’ve given up all hope and just look on, waiting for their time.

Set 5: The Excessive Optimists
Very close to the Do-Gooders, we have this group, and while they want to help, they just don't know when to stop. They keep coming up with ideas upon ideas and don't realise that they're raising people's hopes.

Set 6: The Scapegoats
These ones have their ears on their heads for decoration only. They never listen and always go against the rules, but the sad part is that their rule-breaking always comes with consequences for others.

Set 7: The Weaklings Turned Strong
We have those who usually start off scared and cowardly, but eventually grow braver, even to the point of saving the town.

Set 8: The Weirdo
Sometimes it's just one person who acts all weird and shady, but eventually, we realise that they’re just traumatised and trying to find clarity in the madness.

This series had every category, and if you've seen it, you'll be able to check some people into their boxes.

The Tree

I don’t like ravens or crows. First of all, they have a very creepy collective name. An “unkindness of ravens” and a “murder of crows”?
Seriously.
It’s just a lot.
The moment I saw the tree, I knew something was off, and when the Sheriff said, “shit” on seeing them, well, it was safe to say the family was doomed.

Side Conversation

There’s this thing movie couples who are on the brink of separation always do, and that’s trying so hard to pretend to their teenage kids that all is well. These kids should be let in on the truth at least. Also, I can’t imagine how sad it must be to lose a child, but bearing that burden on the other children and almost ignoring the fact that they exist is selfish.

Back to the series

My Thoughts

I don’t want to take it episode by episode because this is just season 1. But with how season 1 left off, I’m already preparing for season 2. The series is emotional, especially when it unravels the lives of the townsfolk and how each one of them ended up in Fromville. It’ll show the sacrifices many already made and the broken relationships that need mending. It’s even more suspense-filled when you realise that every single townsperson entered the town from their own area.

This entry route makes me feel like a supernatural force is handpicking the people it wants in the town. My mind did go to the fact that it could be a government experiment. As we’ve seen in series like Stranger Things, these experiments usually don’t go well and bring about some weird consequences. I say this because of the season finale and the voice over the radio.

The Creatures

The Creatures are nasty looking. They take human form, never run, never in a haste but when it’s time to feed, they turn all alien-like. I’ve read so many theories on what they could be with many leaning towards ancient vampires because just like vampires, you have to let them in if you have a talisman. They also only come out at night. The theories are not reliable enough to tell where they come from so we’ll have to keep watching.

I’m trying my best not to give away everything. However, I would recommend it for the following reasons:

• If you naturally like horror films, then yes, you have to see this.
• If you have seen Manifest or Lost, then this is right up your alley.
• If you enjoy the supernatural with a mix of experimental hunting, this is for you.
• If you don’t mind a little jump scare here and there, go ahead.

I’m done with season 1 and will be moving on to season 2. If I were to rate season 1, I would probably give it an 8. Let me know what you think.