The River

Most reviews of this show is from around 2012, and people compare it to Lost. I must say, after watching the complete first (and only season) that it's a fitting comparison, but also for all the wrong reasons. It pops up on multiple "underrated horror show" lists, so I figured I should review it (trying to keep it spoiler free). The beginning is rather rushed, but sets an interesting tone and introduce a promising consept. After a while the characters develops. This is also when it starts getting interesting. Then the story falls flat on it's face, with a twist that completely ruins it for me. The eerie and claustrophobic atmosphere dissapear. The "found footage" angle is stretched too far (using "found footage" that has only a vague connection to the TV-show theeme). One might argue that the show even switches genre, sacrifising the exploration and superatural for something completely different. Uptil that point it's a flawed, but promising show. I recommend it for the solid middle episodes, and some might even like the direction it takes. But personally I can't say that I'm dissapointed that it ended when it did.

The River. Not exactly a show title that inspires fear or intrigue. The show itself is a supernatural themed horror filmed a la documentary style. A documentary style show that seems to have gotten rid of the shaky camera styles and some of the other annoying camera techniques that some have learned to not like.

The pilot was decent enough; however, I do not believe the show really finds itself until after episode 4 or 5 where it really starts to pickup. There is an adventure team similar to the TV Show Destination Truth that is sent to the Amazons most remote areas to find a missing adventure TV star. Along the way the encounter ghosts, possessions, plagues, a mysterious tribe of head hunters and also a shadowy group of natives that seem to resemble angels? They seem to have scars on their back below their shoulder bones where they apparently have cut off their wings. OK so now we are getting somewhere!

By the time we hit episode 7 the fear has finally reached a new pinnacle. *SPOILERS* For me Episode 7 is what this show should really be! The group wanders into the forest in the most remote region of the Amazon only to encounter what is a very secretive and undoubtedly illegal genetic research facility (not unlike 'The Hive' research facility you see in the movie Resident Evil). The facility appears to be recently destroyed, it is a very large complex of building seeming very out of place located in the middle of the jungle. Upon searching the abandoned facility they manage to find a mass grave in the basement of the main building with corpses that appear to be 'half eaten' and rotting. At this point the show takes on an almost movie like quality inspiring fear, and mystery. This is getting good! It very quickly becomes clear they are not alone...there is fresh blood and recently dismembered body parts in the medical facility indicating recent activity. The group manages to find one survivor, a member of the missing TV show hosts original entourage who seems traumatized having managed to survive for weeks in the building. She warns them of an impending attack of what can only be described as zombies on steroids, or perhaps a living version of infected humans similar to what is seen in the show 28 days later. They are chased by the zombies running for their lives until they manage to barricade themselves into a room while the horde tries to break down their door,,,,what a show!

Thats a taste of what you will find in this series. Admittedly I found that some of the episodes were a little boring; however, there are also episodes that are amazing like episode 7. I truly hope that the episode 7 excitement and level of quality is a sign of what is to come on future episodes for season 2.

Lost in the dark shadows of the Amazon rain forest the group encounters evil magics, ghosts and all sorts of paranormal entities that really seem to add some awesomeness to this show! All the excitement that can be seen in some of the really good episodes is also hurt by the episodes that are not that great. I believe the show has the potential to be truly great and a cult classic if done properly.

If Netflix picks up season 2 of the series there will be hope for it yet! I would like to see the show take on a more 'the walking dead' type spin- I mean zombies in the amazon rain forest!?! what could be better than this!

Good show, great potential. I have great hopes for Season 2 and go ahead and enjoy season 1 !

Amid a torrent of reality nonsense and cookie cutter TV The River brings something fresh and suspenseful.

There is a "Lost-ish" quality about it, in that the characters are slowly developed and of course the premise of a group of people in the middle of nowhere with some seriously freaky stuff going on.

The River however has a faster pace and a clearer cut goal, that of finding Emmet Cole, a missing naturist/TV host and his filming crew. This makes for a simpler show, one that anyone can get on board with without needing to watch it from the beginning.

The "found footage" bit, well, whatever. I don't necessarily see the point, but I don't find it distracting as some might.

The actors aren't delivering any Emmy-winning performances...yet. If ABC gives this show a chance beyond season 1, I only see The River getting better.

WARNING: This is not a show for hard materialists and positivist types. will no doubt 'offend' or 'bore' them somehow. That said, maybe that is why I love it. No 'Darwin' this and that. Not a single line bashing religion or God. Various people from cultures who are actually portrayed as PEOPLE, not 'noble savages' or 'lazy Latino' or the like. Very little PC at all. Very apolitical. Like a breath of fresh air.

Interesting take on the style. A great cast. The effects are more movie house than TV. BIG budget stuff.

The subject is a fascinating one involving mythology and 'magic' and is not bogged down by lame 'nerdcore' explanations of every aspect. Scientific dogma is shattered in the first 15 minutes of the first episode, and the viewer is invited down the Rabbit hole in style. Great show. 'There's Magic out there!' and it's called 'The River'.

I still can't get this TV-show out of my head. It was good. It was well-done. It was engaging. Such a shame that it has been closed! I hope it will be continued one day, somehow :) Loved the plot, the actors, the thrill of it. Again, hope this one will be revived! Fingers crossed.