TV Review: The ‘Revival’ Series Premiere Has Teeth
by Mal White
If SyFy Channel is going to do one thing, it’s deliver a supernatural procedural. The series premiere of Revival is no exception.
The premise is more than enough to get us hooked. Everyone who died in a specific two-week period in the area of Wausau, Wisconsin, is resurrected. As the town and “Revivers” adjust to their new reality under quarantine, Officer Dana Cypress (Melanie Scrofano) — and her revived sister, Martha “Em” Cypress (Romy Weltman) — must solve Em’s murder and unravel the mysterious revival event. It seems the dead are the least of their problems.
I couldn’t think of anyone better to play big sister Dana than the Wynonna Earp star. Scrofano gives the perfect blend of grounded, funny, and real-as-hell performance as the perpetually exhausted, escape-seeking single parent. Paired with the very talented Andy McQueen as the adorable head of the CDC task force, Dr. Ibrahim Ramin, their chemistry is both believable and well-balanced. I’m excited to see how they play off each other as the mystery deepens.
I knew I was in for great performances. What I didn’t expect was how well done the horror elements would be. A revived dementia suffering Meemaw in a barn is one thing, Meemaw with super strength and a literal bone to pick is another. Director and Producer Amanda Row’s final sequence hit like a scythe to the gut, reminding us that Revival is very much a horror show and isn’t afraid to show it. Row gave audiences a real taste of what to expect from future episodes. Not surprising. Her directorial work includes Doom Patrol and Chucky.
Based on Tim Seely and Mike Norton’s hit comic book series, the TV adaptation promises an engrossing mystery with monster-of-the-week fun. Show creators Aaron B. Koontz and Luke Boyce have plenty to work with. The comic book pairs classic horror elements with religion, ethics, and social themes. I’m excited to see how Koontz and Boyce incorporate the comic’s themes and wilder elements into the show.
I’m hoping we go the way of mysterious horror shows like From. Regardless, I have a feeling things will only get stranger in Wausau, Wisconsin.
New episodes air Thursdays on SyFy.
