BY HIMARA JAYASEKERA-PEIRIS & ABI MCINTOSH
Historically speaking, Netflix does not have the best record with paranormal shows aimed at young adults. Within the last year, Warrior Nun, Half Bad, The Midnight Club and First Kill have all been cancelled. So when Lockwood and Co popped up in the discovery banner, we were sceptical about investing our time.
While the program’s fate is still in the air, we genuinely believe it is worth your time. Here’s why:
The show is well-paced and never boring. It has enough intrigue to keep the viewer both engaged and wanting more. The writers managed to pack the first two books into the maiden season of the show, so there’s definitely enough plot to go around. Despite the general bad attitude towards book-to-show adaptations, Lockwood & Co. is truly a diamond in the rough. Most of the scenes are in the show, with some lines quoted directly from the book. This could be a happy consequence of Jonathan Stroud being so involved in the writing process, or just the writers knowing what fans want.
In contrast, some changes were made for the better, namely increased diversity. Joplin, in the books, is a meek little man who follows his business partner around. In the show, Pamela Joplin, while still being relatively meek and subservient, is an empowered woman who uses her incredible brain and smarts to further the plot. Not only does it open the floor to more female characters in a story that is predominantly male-dominated, but it is interesting the ways in which they altered her character to make her seem like a worthy villain.
Additionally, the acting is exceptional, especially considering the cast almost entirely consists of breakout roles. This is Cameron Chapman’s, who plays Anthony Lockwood, first role and provides one of the best performances. He portrays the character’s spectrum of emotions in an understated way that really makes him feel like an actual person, while not shying away from his faults and pitfalls. He gives a performance that convinces the audience he knows the character – a surprising feat for his acting debut. Ali Hadji-Heshmati, who plays George Karim, is also studying at Oxford part-time, majoring in English Literature, which is an incredible credit to himself. He must have put in some serious hours! Ruby Stokes, the leading lady, who plays Lucy Carlysle, while having landed large roles before, again exceeds again in this one.
The character relationships are truly the highlight of the show, and truly are a testament to the actor’s skill. The interactions between the characters are what keep the show captivating (possibly even more so) during lulls in the storyline. The banter between characters is dry, fun and witty, making it a delight to watch. Seeing the subtle way that the characters, specifically Lucy and Lockwood, grow to care about each other more deeply as the show progresses, will have you kicking your feet and squealing at the tv. The characters themselves are so enjoyable to watch and feel very real and flawed while remaining endlessly endearing. Whether it’s Lockwood’s bravado, George’s strange behaviour or watching Lucy deal with them both, each member of the main cast really brings an engaging element to the screen.
Also, another small detail we noticed – Lockwood & Co. is such a well-lit show. Oftentimes, supernatural shows make their sets really dark, which means that even with your brightness on 100% it can be difficult to see what is happening but this show is refreshingly different, which makes it all the more enjoyable!
The soundtrack was incredibly unique to the show and well thought out. The show is in this timeless sort of state, almost frozen by the events, but somehow still nostalgic. The soundtrack, made up of alternative 80s music, really captures the essence of this. Songs by The Cure and Siouxsie and The Banshees really emphasise the apocalyptic, yet nostalgic, youthful and playful tone the show balances well.
With a critic’s score of 92% and an audience score of 94%, Lockwood & Co. boasts a truly impressive response, especially considering its oversaturated and cliche genre. We both really enjoyed watching this paranormal production and have recommended it to every friend, family member and stranger we possibly could. So now, we’re turning to you! These teenage ghost hunters truly have something for everyone and can be enjoyed by all ages. As of right now, Netflix has yet to greenlight another season, so if you have some time between assessments, spend some time with Lockwood & Co because we can guarantee, at the very least, you will be entertained.
If you need more convincing, here is the trailer!