Il diavolo in Ohio

It definitely wasn't what I was expecting from the trailer- it's definitely like a lifetime movie that's been dragged out to 8 episodes with a high budget! Now, I'm not saying that's a bad thing in the slightest, but you have to know what you're letting yourself in for! It's cheesy, overly dramatic at times but it's definitely entertaining! It probably could have been cut down to 5 episodes and would have been slightly better! It reminds me of the Apple TV show servant with regards to the cult aspect! Had the same sort of ominous vibe- just wasn't as well done. I can't complain, kept me entertained all evening!

Give it a go- see what you think!!

I think Netflix marketing messed this up; the book it's based on is a very melodramatic YA novel about a self-obsessed "misunderstood" 15-year-old girl. The material is a very silly idiot plot. Netflix, by centering Emily Deschanel, has framed this as an adult horror story, and it just isn't. So people are furious at all the teen drama. But, well, it is a teen drama.

The script aligns with that context; people exclusively make stupid decisions. In the book, Mom and Dad's dysfunction was understandable through the lens of their teen girl child. When the adults are the main characters, it doesn't work. Dad refuses to consider an offer on his debt-hole property because his wife suggests the person? Psychiatrist Mom can't possibly at all be qualified, the way she acts.

The book is mediocre teen drama, fairly faithfully adapted. The perspective is off, and the marketing matches.

Not bad viewing for a silly light horror mystery. As a teen series, it's pretty good! Very few scary or gory bits (like, one jump scare? A photograph or two of a cut on the cult girl's back?).

It's hard to say exactly where this series goes wrong. Either durable to direction, acting or production. The premise should be one to grab your attention but it never seems to do that. The series fails to create any real sense of suspense or tension. Episodes just mosey along at their own pace. It relies heavily on the sound track to build tension but eventually it has the opposite effect of simply being annoying. Despite having some excellent actors the characters seem wooden and stiff. Half the time they seem to be whispering orspeaking in softer tones than the scenes demand. The sets often seem too bright and cheery for the dramatic tension they're trying to build. Overall the entire series feels as if someone described what an occult thriller is to hallmark movies.

This show is not thriller or horror; it's more of a teen drama. If I knew that going in, I wouldn't have bothered. By episode 3 I was ready to turn it off because still nothing has happened. They try to make Mae out to be so evil, but she doesn't really even do anything wrong, she's just kind of awkward seeing how she was raised brainwashed in a cult. She stole a photo and a t-shirt, oh no! Cue the suspenseful music! They keep on playing the suspenseful music, but nothing suspenseful even happens to match it. They lead you to believe she poisoned someone, but literally nothing comes of it. Later she does do some "wrong" things, but it's just typical teen drama stuff, still not evil stuff. I almost gave this a 5 for trying, but it did nothing but waste my time, especially after the lame finale. Netflix keeps canceling good shows that do well to make room for new garbage like this. Why??

The battle between good and evil often comes down to each person's perception. Experiencing abuse can have unpredictable results on those perceptions. Perceptions form our reality regardless of their accuracy. The characters in this series have their own personal demons to try and manage while dealing with a looming threat brought about by a stranger entering their life with a significantly dark past.

Based on what's been produced on Netflix lately, this show is actually pretty decent. It's not some super-deep writing masterpiece that's bound for glory, but it's worth watching if you're looking for something different.