We all have interests and hobbies, but balancing them can be quite the task when, yano, life comes along. Arguably my two greatest passions are video games and TV/movies, but following the May release of Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom my habits heavily leaned into the former. Just ask my girlfriend!
However, once the dust had settled last month, my neglect of these other visual mediums crept upon me, where I was suddenly craving a show that incorporated both horror and the psychological. Strong characters certainly help too. All of this led me to the wildly underrated Paramount+ show Evil, vociferously consuming all three of its seasons within a couple of weeks, only to be left hanging by its upcoming fourth season, which has been teased but is understandably delayed due to the ongoing strikes.
My thirst for high-quality horror TV was still unabated, I checked what else Paramount+ had to offer, only to quickly encounter a show I had heard many good things about, From. Awkward title aside, From, so far, hasn’t just ticked all my boxes but even scratches an itch Evil never has.
The premise alone is fascinating, wherein a group of people from throughout the United States somehow end up in a town from which they cannot leave, while at night they are forced indoors as vicious supernatural entities prowl the area, seeking any opportunity to invade the homes of its residents if the proper precautions are not taken. Where Evil is a deeply psychological character study that is unafraid to confront complex social issues – while also earning some surprisingly hearty laughs along the way – From relies on similarly strong characters who drive a narrative steeped in tantalizing mystery, but delivers scenes of shocking gore that make a statement early, a punch that Evil has always pulled, albeit understandably so. From is “a horror fan’s horror” that often feels like a Mike Flanagan limited series, but without the exhaustingly pretentious monologues. While I admit I have yet to finish the first of the two current seasons, eight episodes in I have yet to be disappointed. Plus, it’s hard not to root for a production shot in Nova Scotia!
That’s right, From is shot exclusively in the province of Nova Scotia. Initially, I was utterly unaware of the fact that From was shot in Canada, until I saw the credits of the first episode roll and the likes of the Ontario Creates and the Nova Scotia Film & Television Incentive Fund came up. In hindsight, Nova Scotia makes perfect sense for the show. From’s shooting location is absolutely pivotal to it visuals, themes, and narrative, even more so than the average production. If anyone has seen the art folk painter Maud Lewis, famous for her beautiful, vibrant, and optimistic portrayal of her home province Nova Scotia, then there are glimmers of recognition in the show’s scenery (especially if you have seen the 2016 movie based on the artist, Maudie), while its vastness also evokes a certain melancholy that matches the show’s tone.
The show also features a bevy of Canadian actors, including Ricky He, Scott McCord, David Alpay, Elizabeth Saunders, and Shaun Majumder, while the leading role is played by veteran American actor and former Lost star Harold Perrineau.
So, if you’re a fan of horror and looking for high-quality horror television similar to Evil, but you’re sick to death of everyone recommending American Horror Story, then you should absolutely check out From on Paramount+.