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Hola amigos, buenas vibras para todos.
**Hello friends, good vibes to all.
For the second time in a row I wanted to give a chance to a Netflix content as far as horror, mystery and suspense is concerned and based on what I saw in the trailer of this miniseries the thing could look pretty decent considering the platform that is behind it all. And it's no surprise to anyone, in fact I've said it many times here, the company with the red letter N is not characterized much for making a good product, with some exceptions, because yes, there are. The thing is that Devil in Ohio is another of those miniseries that could have been a real hit, as we say in my country, but unfortunately it was not, at least for me.
There is nothing that attracts more attention than a good story, fictitious or not, about these types of "organizations" or cults that people invent in order to give meaning to their lives. I don't want to sound like a psychologist or a theologian but that's how it is, most cults are scams or methods to control people; we could say the same about religions but that's another much denser topic that doesn't fit here. The story behind this miniseries is partly real but also has fantasy parts that in the idea is very good but in the execution left much to be desired. Let's talk then about this new plot that Netflix brings us.
This story begins with Suzanne Mathis (Emily Deschanel), a psychiatrist who has a very quiet and relaxed life with her family, husband and three daughters. One day a mysterious young woman arrives at the hospital where Suzanne works, who seems to be disoriented and unable to speak but above all with a terrible fear in her eyes; this girl eventually they discover that her name is Mae (Madeleine Arthur) and that her past hides things that would have been better if they were not discovered. Given Mae's vulnerability, our psychiatrist decides to give her lodging in her house, something that without knowing it would obviously bring her more problems than satisfactions in a very near future.
As the plot progresses we realize that Mae is not who she says she is or at least she is hiding things that may be a little strange, things that little by little are making a dent in a family that was almost perfect. We also learn a little more about the characteristics of the sect or cult to which this enigmatic young woman belonged or belongs and the reach of this in some members of society. The story has its dyes of terror and suspense that personally did not convince me, I think I saw more drama than anything else because in the long run all this ends up becoming a family problem that like a snowball is growing as time goes by.
As I said this series could have been very good and they could have taken much more out of that story but they decided not to do it and it happens because they took the path of a very juvenile thriller. I think that's why it didn't catch my attention, because simply when a series is aimed at a specific audience, in this case teenagers and people much younger than me, it's inevitable that I don't find it attractive because what surrounds the plot are typical student "problems" like not being popular, the prom, friends fighting over banalities, etc. This miniseries is all of that but with the twist that one of its characters has a dark undercurrent that is only touched upon from time to time.
And yes, the theme of this cult is taken into account I feel in a very secondary way. I don't know if the novel on which this story was based follows the same path but it was certainly one that unfortunately didn't hook me. But it is something that can be seen? - absolutely, the thing is that where they directed the story is not something I liked. When they emphasized the part where they investigated the sect and everything that surrounded it, those were the most interesting moments of the story because it was something hidden, mysterious and that is something that calls for curiosity, that created the suspense of wanting to know a little more about these people but suddenly we were back to the problems of school corridors.
With this I do not intend to discourage you not to watch it, this is just one point of view of the thousands that can be. I think what I liked the most was the background of the characters, at least that of Suzanne and Mae, as they are people with a rather murky past and reflect those traumas in the way they live and act, they reflect those shortcomings that they carry on their backs with all those around them and that is something that can be very harmful. Suzanne is a person who had family problems and who, unknowingly and because she has not been able to overcome them, is unable to move forward no matter how hard she tries or how much she is believed. And Mae is an indecipherable person, you do not know if she acts in good faith or with a double intention, there is something in her that invites you to distrust but at the same time you feel pity for everything she lived through. A rare character but undoubtedly the most attractive. There are secondary characters like the rest of the family but they are just that, secondary, their only contribution is to support and elevate the two main characters.
At some point the terror had an effect on me? - no. There is horror in this miniseries? - Yes there is but in a very soft and friendly way, it's not an invasive one that won't let you sleep. For a horror lover this series is a punch in the face because I feel that they sold something that is not and is not seen, I arrived with expectations not high but I was expecting something totally different from what I found. No doubt there will be those who like it or liked it but I'm not in that group of people and it's a shame, I think there was potential. And well, once again Netflix wasted something that could have been at least acceptable.
I give it a 6.5/10 and I'm being generous. The series isn't bad but it's NOT TERROR, you can't sell something that essentially isn't. I rate it more as a teen/family thriller, something worth watching in front of the TV with the whole family together. I categorize it more as a teen/family thriller, something worth watching in front of the TV with the whole family together. It has its details and nods to a good horror, few but it has them, there may be a little suspense and tension at times and the characters are fine, but nothing out of this world. It consists of eight episodes of approximately 45 minutes and as is known is on Netflix. I leave the trailer for you to see and yes, be encouraged and see the story, in the end all this is nothing more than an opinion.
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Bueno mi gente por hoy es todo, espero que les haya gustado. ¡Un abrazo a todos, nos vemos en la próxima!
***Well my people that's all for today, I hope you liked it. ¡A hug to all of you, see you next time!
