There might not be an American storyteller more prolific than Stephen King. At 70, the man is already a legend, with a list of classics so long it could fill a library shelf, many of which have spurred iconic films and miniseries. But he’s not content with letting his legacy stop there; King is still churning out best sellers, and his adaptations are doing better than ever at the box office. That’s not all King is up to, however: he’s joined forces with J.J. Abrams to create Castle Rock, the latest horror anthology in the ever-growing TV subgenre. And, based on the first three episodes, fans of King should be in for an interesting, easter-egg filled ride.
Opening with a mysterious prologue, followed by a brutal suicide, and capping off its pre-credit sequence with a beautifully executed jump scare, Castle Rock feels like vintage King (and not only because it is filled with references to his literary oeuvre). The series follows Henry Deaver (André Holland), a lawyer forced to return to his titular hometown when a mysterious prisoner (Bill Skarsgard) appears in a long-forgotten wing of Shawshank Prison. As Henry tries to uncover the truth behind why this unknown prisoner was hidden away for years, only to ask for him by name upon discovery, he’s forced to face his past – namely, the rumor that he killed his own father in 1991, after disappearing for 11 days during the dead of winter.
Three episodes in, Castle Rock definitely feels like something of a slow burn, if only because there are so many characters, all connected to an ever-growing conspiracy. For example, we meet Henry’s childhood friend Molly (Melanie Lynskey), who is inflicted with some sort of supernatural ability (not unlike The Shining), and knows more about the rumors surrounding Henry then she lets on.
There are also mysterious men who seems to be aware of the evil that plagues the town, a good-natured guard trying to do the right thing, and a mysterious gang of kids who play creepy games in the woods when they’re not dealing drugs. There is a lot going on, and it’ all quite compelling, but the show will need to start giving answers in order to sustain this level of interest – otherwise it will just become frustrating. And with only seven episodes remaining, let’s hope that everything gets wrapped up neatly.
Perhaps the best thing about Castle Rock, however, is the cast, made up of both King alumnae and some true A-listers who lend gravitas to the proceedings. The real star here is Lynskey, who brings the edginess and slightly unhinged qualities that made her an indie-movie legend, but channels them through a horror movie lens. She may not be the main protagonist, but she’s the character that draws you in from the moment she appears onscreen. Holland also makes an impression, stepping up from his memorable supporting part in Moonlight to the mantel of a leading man. Meanwhile, Skarsgård scares King’s audience yet again, but this isn’t a repeat of his Pennywise performance – he’s quiet, strange, and almost hypnotic. Jane Levy, Noel Fisher, and the original King-scream-queen Sissy Spacek turn in nice performances, but they’ll need more screentime to create memorable characters.
Also keeping with a King tradition, the series explores social issues in a way that lacks subtlety, but certainly makes the show more interesting. Henry must contend with the racism in his hometown, which seems to inform the belief that he murdered his adoptive father. In fact, racism and old-fashioned beliefs seem to be an ever-present force in Castle Rock, much like the supernatural evil that the residents explicitly warn viewers about. By the end of the third episode, the show also seems to lightly tread into topical issues like prisoners’ rights and the stigma around mental health, which should lead to some more dramatic material.
Castle Rock could really go anywhere from here – the series has not given enough information for viewers to form full theories. But there are a lot of interesting bread crumbs here: captivating characters, clever allusions to other works, and a few perfectly executed scares. As of right now, this show remains one worth watching.
Overall rating: 7 out of 10
Castle Rock airs Wednesdays on Hulu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXsKCQenpt0
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