Shot by Shot Reviews of Film and TV

Some mediocre shows are blessed with good titles while some good shows are cursed with titles that mischaracterise them enough to turn off a prospective viewer that might have enjoyed it otherwise. Unfortunately, Evil, the tv show, suffers the latter. Oh, it is mischievous, at times to the extreme while tap dancing all over the face of evil, both in the realms of religion as well as the minds of human beings. It explores such topics as – Do we need demonic forces to guide our hands to commit terrible acts? Or conversely, do our terrible acts lead us into the arms of evil? Do we simply rely on the idea of evil to dismiss the notion that each and every one of us can be corrupted, no matter our faith or lack there of? Does it matter what sort of person we believe ourselves to be? It is a subject matter thick and syrupy with possibilities as the darkest molasses, and Evil, the tv show, wades in with a wry grin.

Inventive from the get go, it is beautifully written within the restrictions (time and censorship) of network television. This contributes to some contrived solutions in order to speedily wrap up plots, but otherwise the level of writing is high and consistent. Created by wife and husband team Michelle and Robert King (creators of The Good Wife) Evil is shepherded by them with a seductive confidence.

The show details the encounters of a team of investigators who work for the church to evaluate demonic possessions and miracles. The 3 person team is headed by David Acosta, a priest in training, played by Mike Colter, best known for playing the titular role in the Marvel super-hero series Luke Cage, a character known for his imposing physical dimensions, and he brings it here but successfully plays down that part of him, instead focusing and playing on the character David Acosta’s internal dimensions. As the team leader he brings in the skeptic, forensic psychologist Dr. Kristen Bouchard, played by Katja Herbers. They are supported by Ben Shakir, played by Aasif Mandvi, the tech wizard able to reason and explain away most of the paranormal puzzles. Michael Emerson plays their nemesis, Dr. Leland Townsend, as a very sinister agent for the dark side enjoying every round of his foul games. These are the main players and none let down the others. They are each, except for Ben Shakir initially, given fascinating fractals expanding upon their characters from the two dimensional archetypes they might be in any other show or movie. Mike Colter is finally able to flex the range of his abilities as the troubled priest, from warm and charming to dour, cringing, hate-filled. But the one showing the most muscle in her abilities is dutch-actress Katja Herbers, surely one of the most able actresses of her generation. From her brief yet unforgettably sexual and vengeful role in Westworld’s season two, to this where in one role, she deftly plays a reassuring intelligence in the place of the audience while at the same time displaying vulnerability and equal parts a terrifying ferocity. She will no doubt grow in stature as an actress, if the powers that be don’t waste her abilities.

The sublime acting by the primary set of characters is complemented by the wonderfully atmospheric cinematography that keeps it enthralling. Creative makeup and special effects make the notions believable. Playful music strums at your brain and heart strings in turn.

But it is the writing of the show that is the star. It is mockingly dexterous especially for the long form story telling format of episodic television to have the viewer never stay with one dance partner for very long. You may at first be dancing with religious belief, then doubt, then certainty in atheism, then suddenly back for another song with faith. The show is never afraid to challenge the viewer. And best of all it assumes its viewers are up for the task, for some time on their feet, as it plays the DJ on the dance floor.

The important thing to remember before going to this dance is this – nothing is ever as it seems.

Believers have experiences that question their beliefs and those that lack it find reason to entertain the notion of things they cannot explain. It is a sinister game of tit for tat. Science vs the divine. Just when you think one has the upper hand you are shown something from a point of view that questions all that you thought you understood. Thankfully, this jousting is never at the cost of the story of these three characters fighting their strange battles within themselves. Where all they thought of as concrete becomes mush.

An old priest tells David, the younger priest-to-be, “God never liked me. I talk to him, all the time, every night. He’s the quietest room-mate in the world.’ There are more such wonderful bits of dialogue peppered throughout, some tidy examples of well-written exchanges that showcases what is missing in many other shows in less capable hands.

Having mentioned the show’s intelligence and wit I must state this warning that there are some very effectively creepy scenes that border on horror film territory. There are scenes with demons and angels, one bringing darkness to characters the other light in times of crisis. And the show does an interesting sleight of hand of questioning these as well. For instance, in one episode a character has a vision of an angel, but when he encounters a person who had a vision of a black-skinned angel, he realises that 2000 years of European Christian iconography has imprinted white skin on angels and the divinity. So then in his next vision the angel appears as a black skinned maiden and he finds himself questioning his faith that is rooted in his visions. Is it all simply a figment of his imagination?

In the midst of the scariest scene Evil can elicit a chuckle before dipping you instantly in terror once more, to then question what you are seeing, to then hoping it is not what it seems, to then discuss and dissect it. It grabs you by your collar, enticing you with answers using every tool at its disposal. The best tool of all? Its melding of ideas. And with a heavy scoop of sexy fun every successive episode becomes an addictive romp.

Thankfully, other than some plot contrivances and shortcuts for time, there is very little cliched to be found here.

The show does its juggling with a charismatic visual flair experimenting with images, iconography, music and sound. The storytelling ability and verve here is stimulating. The placement of the camera is with purpose, which cannot be said of most tv shows (or modern films for that matter). There is attention to detail. The filmmakers clearly care a great deal in what they are creating, and it comes through in spades. This is not a run of the mill show. This is exquisite. This is crafted. This is very good. This is wicked. This is Evil.

That was the first three seasons of Evil, as of January of 2024. Season 4 is pending. I hope you will watch the show and tell me what you think.