Them (2021-)

I’m certain there has already been a small handful of posts about this series, but I still feel like it doesn’t receive enough attention. This might surpass every other horror show that’s been on television for me. It feels like a Jordan Peele and Ryan Murphy collaboration on steroids. The commentary, writing, style, horror, performances, music, and effects are all spectacular. I can’t stop thinking about it.

The first season has a more familiar set up. It follows a black family moving into a beautiful neighborhood where they’re harassed and threatened by the white neighbors that don’t want them there. The horror twist is that the house they live in is haunted. Didn’t particularly pique my interest when it came out, which is why it took me so long to watch it. The beauty of the show is in its execution. It’s one of the few horror series/films to genuinely terrify me. It manages to go into darker places than most things I’ve seen. If you were hesitant about starting the series, please don’t be. I can’t recommend it enough.

The second season is more unique. It’s about an LA detective investigating a string of gruesome murders during the period immediately following the Rodney King riots, when police distrust was widespread. That’s a general plot line, but there’s so much more. I don’t want to give anything else away. This season even has moments that would remind you of Joker (2019) in the best way possible. The direction, scare sequences, and gnarly effects work are even better. No single moment feels predictable, it will keep you tense for a lot of the runtime.

Please give this series a try. I firmly believe that the creator, Little Marvin, could end up being one of the most powerful voices in horror.