Unquiet
Things

I started watching Evil over the summer, but as I am still watching it—in fact, I watched an episode last night—I think it totally counts toward my October viewing.

Everyone in the world already knows all about this show but me, so I feel like an asshole offering a synopsis of it, but just in case you haven’t seen it yet...Evil is a psychological mystery series that explores the boundary between science and the supernatural and follows an unusual investigative team: a skeptical forensic psychologist, a Catholic seminarian, and a tech expert. They work together to examine the Church’s backlog of unexplained phenomena.

What’s both interesting and frustrating is its refusal to give easy answers – each case could be demonic activity or just humans being terrible in creative ways. That’s one of the things I enjoyed about the X-Files, too, I suppose, and I think maybe what I like most about Evil is that it scratches that X-Filesian itch for me.

Evil revolves around three distinct characters whose perspectives shape the series. David Acosta (Luke Cage!), a Catholic seminarian, brings unwavering spiritual conviction to their investigations. His strong faith often serves as a counterpoint to his teammates’ skepticism, though he grapples with personal challenges unrelated to their cases. Ben Shakir, a technology specialist, approaches each situation with sharp skepticism, using his technical know-how to seek rational explanations for seemingly supernatural events.

Then there’s Kristen Bouchard: a forensic psychologist, mother of four, and, improbably, a renowned mountain climber. This combination of roles stretches believability to its limits. One can’t help but question how she excels in such demanding and disparate areas of life. Yet, it’s Kristen’s complex nature and her struggle to reconcile her skepticism with increasingly bizarre experiences that form the show’s backbone.

The show’s handling of Kristen Bouchard’s character troubles me. As an attractive, privileged white woman, Kristen literally gets away with murder when her police friend looks the other way. It’s a stark reminder of real-world disparities in justice, as it’s hard to imagine the two other members of her team receiving similar treatment. If it sounds like maybe I don’t love Kristen, well. That would be true.

Beyond our main three, there’s a whole cast of characters that keep things interesting. When we meet Kristen’s mother, Sheryl, she seems like a relatively normal grandmother, albeit one who dresses like a biker bar regular or an 80s metal enthusiast. As the series progresses, Sheryl’s role becomes increasingly unpredictable and intriguing. At this point, I literally have no idea what is going on with Sheryl; she’s getting into some weird shit, and I wonder how “normal” she ever was in the first place! Leland Townsend (Ben from Lost!) is a professional rival turned nemesis and brings a deliciously sinister energy to every scene he’s in.

Dr. Kurt Boggs, Kristen’s therapist, provides a perfect blend of insight and dry humor, and watching his life get weirder with each episode is a treat. Sister Andrea, a sharp-witted, no-nonsense nun with a knack for sensing the supernatural, serves as David’s mentor and ally, offering spiritual wisdom and practical advice in equal measure. And finally, Kristen’s daughters. I’ll be honest: Kristen’s four daughters are A LOT. I could do without them.

One of my favorite things about the show is its seemingly endless autumn or winter setting: characters are almost always bundled up in coats and scarves, their breath visible in the chilly air, while bare trees and gloomy skies create a perpetual atmosphere of unease that perfectly complements the eerie cases the team investigates.

There are possessions, exorcisms, creepy dolls, creepy kids, UFOs, angels, demons, evil influencers, evil VR goggles, evil cops, evil fertility clinics, and …the Elevator Game. A lot of it is awfully goofy. But the show also has a lot of heart, so there’s a good balance, tackling serious existential questions alongside more outlandish plot points. This blend of tones creates an engaging if sometimes bewildering, viewing experience.  But…in the best way?

I’ve found myself posting about some of the more perplexing scenes on Facebook…

From August 23: “I am watching Evil on Netflix, and I find it easier to believe that countless exorcisms are happening constantly throughout the New York City area than to believe that the canned margaritas Kristen Bouchard drinks every time she is on screen are any good.”

From September 18: “I am still watching Evil, and I do not even KNOW what is going on with Sheryl. But she and this Edward guy are leisurely boogieing outside Leland’s apartment, singing Foux du Fafa “

I was hoping they might get to this part of the song, but alas…
“Ah, Gérard Depardieu
Baguette, hon hon hon”

Day Twelve of 31 Days Of Horror in years past: 2023 // 2022 // 2021

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