Adapted from the supernatural horror graphic novels of the same name by Joe Hill (Horns) and Gabriel Rodriguez, Locke & Key is brought to the small screen by Netflix and stars Emilia Jones (Brimstone, High Rise), Connor Jessup (American Crime), Jackson Robert Scott (It, It Chapter 2), and Darby Stanchfield (Scandal, Mad Men).

Premise: Three siblings who move into their ancestral estate after their father’s gruesome murder discover their new home’s magical keys, which must be used in their stand against an evil creature who wants the keys and their powers.

Review: The beginning of the show is very suspenseful, and somewhat whimsical, but at the same time you can feel the darkness creeping in the edges. Then when that first piece of darkness comes it’s a bit jarring – I’m talking about the dad’s storyline. I love how it unfolds, the mystery is peeled layer after layer masterfully. And the effect that storyline has on each character involved is well written and portrayed.

The comedic aspects of the show is smartly sprinkled throughout the story and counterbalances what could have been a heavy depressing series. Speaking of heavy stuff, it was weird how everyone seems to revel in the Lockes’ trauma.

As for individual characters, Bode (Jackson Robert Scott), the youngest of the Locke’s kids is too old and too smart not to have blabled about Dodge – the scary well lady – and stressed on how dangerous she was. Kinsey (Emilia Jones) keeps putting herself in situations that would trigger traumatic memories, and her broey brother, Tyler (Jessup) is just acting stupid. The older two are too nonchalant about the keys or the lady when they hear about her. It’s all the more jarring when you know they’ve been through some serious stuff so they should have been on high alert the minute they found out about the keys or the “scary well lady.”

By the way I’m taking about my feelings towards the characters’ actions is a testament to the writing and the acting. Take kinsey for example, Jones, the actress, was so convincing has the shy introvert girl that the shift into a fearless version of herself is palpable. Tyler turns out to have more depth than the first episodes suggested. Stanchfield and Jackson Robert Scott are just damn good and make their characters

The cinematography is crisped and beautiful, it melds the grounded and whimsical aspects of the series very well. The directors they picked for the show complemented each other and subtlety sectioned the show in two hour chunks.

Locke & Key is very easy and pleasant to watch. It’s a fantasy thriller with a perfect amount of horror and drama.

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