Netflix's Locke & Key: Season 1 Review

IGN

7 Feb 202004:56

Summary

TLDRNetflix's adaptation of 'Lock and Key', based on the graphic novel by Joe Hill, offers a whimsical take on the source material, focusing on the Locke family's adventures in their ancestral home. While it lacks the graphic violence of the comics, the series boasts impressive set pieces, strong performances, and a compelling blend of fantasy and family drama. However, it struggles with a lack of cohesion due to juggling multiple narratives. The show is an enjoyable binge, appealing to a wide audience but may disappoint those seeking a faithful adaptation.

Takeaways

🎬 Netflix's adaptation of 'Lock and Key' is a live-action series based on the graphic novel by Joe Hill and Gabrielle Rodriguez.
🏠 The story revolves around the Locke family, including siblings Tyler, Kinsey, Bodie, and their mother Nina, who move into their ancestral Keyhouse after a family tragedy.
🔮 The series is noted for its whimsical tone rather than graphic violence, aiming to appeal to a broader audience with a family-friendly approach.
🏆 The production design of Keyhouse is praised for its detailed and mysterious atmosphere, adding depth to the narrative.
🌟 Bodie's character stands out for his interactions with the magical keys, particularly the 'Head Key' which allows for creative and emotional storytelling.
🎓 Tyler and Kinsey's storylines involve high school drama, which sometimes detracts from the main mystery, giving the show a teen-drama feel.
🧩 The series attempts to balance multiple genres, including family drama, supernatural thriller, and murder mystery, but struggles to maintain cohesion.
👻 The main villain's presence is both charming and menacing, yet the show's humor sometimes undermines the intended horror and tension.
👨‍👧‍👦 The show's strength lies in its blend of fantasy with real-world drama, especially in the character-building moments involving the Locke family's relationships.
🔑 The 'Head Key' is a highlight of the series, offering a unique visual and narrative element by opening doors to characters' minds and memories.
📺 'Lock and Key' Season 1 is an enjoyable watch for both fans of the original graphic novel and new viewers, despite changes from the source material.

Q & A

What is the main source of inspiration for the Netflix series 'Lock and Key'?
-The Netflix series 'Lock and Key' is based on the graphic novel of the same name written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Gabrielle Rodriguez.
What is the central plot of 'Lock and Key'?
-The series centers on the Locke children, Tyler, Kinsey, and Bodie, and their mother, Nina, who move to their ancestral home of Keyhouse after the family's patriarch, Rendell, is murdered.
How does the Netflix adaptation of 'Lock and Key' differ from the original graphic novel?
-The Netflix adaptation leans more into the whimsical aspects of Joe Hill's narrative and is less focused on the graphic violence and creepy visuals present in the original graphic novel.
What is the significance of Keyhouse in the series?
-Keyhouse is not just a setting but a standout character in 'Lock and Key', with every room meticulously detailed and contributing a layer of mystery to the story.
Which character in 'Lock and Key' is noted for their encounters with the magic of the keys?
-Bodhi, the younger brother of Tyler and Kinsey, has the most fascinating encounters with the magic of the keys in season one.
How does the series handle the balance between high school drama and supernatural elements?
-The series occasionally feels more like a teen drama due to its high school hijinks, but it becomes more engaging when it leans into its fantastical elements.
What is unique about the 'Head Key' in the series?
-The Head Key allows a person to literally open the door into someone's mind, enabling them to relive important memories and adding weight and grief to the relationships.
What challenge does the series face in its attempt to serve multiple narratives?
-The series struggles to feel cohesive as it attempts to be a compelling family drama, supernatural thriller, murder mystery, and high school drama all at once.
How does the series handle its main villain?
-The main villain, while having an incredible on-screen presence, is often undercut by the show's focus on whimsy over horror, which affects the tension and terror associated with her character.
What is the overall verdict on 'Lock and Key' season 1 according to the script?
-Season 1 of 'Lock and Key' is an enjoyable binge that is easily digestible for fans and newcomers alike, but those hoping for a wholly faithful adaptation may be frustrated by some key changes.
What other Netflix series are mentioned in the script for comparison?
-The script mentions 'The Witcher' and 'Dracula' as other Netflix series for comparison and suggests checking out reviews for these shows as well.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 Netflix's Lock and Key Series Review

After numerous attempts, Netflix brings to life 'Lock and Key,' a series based on Joe Hill's graphic novel. The show focuses on the Locke family, who move into their ancestral home after a family tragedy. While the series is less violent and more whimsical than the original comics, it successfully appeals to a wider audience with its captivating set pieces, aesthetics, and performances. The house itself is a standout character, richly detailed and alive with mystery. Bodhi, the youngest sibling, experiences the most fascinating encounters with the magical keys, making his storyline particularly engaging. However, the series sometimes strays into CW teen drama territory, and its attempt to juggle multiple narratives can make it feel incohesive. The main villain, while charismatic, is undermined by the show's lighter tone, which lessens the intended horror impact.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Live Action Adaptation

A live action adaptation refers to a film or television production that is based on a previously existing work, such as a comic book, and is brought to life with real actors rather than animation. In the context of the video, it discusses Netflix's adaptation of 'Lock and Key' from a graphic novel, which has been a long-awaited project with a history of failed attempts.

💡Graphic Novel

A graphic novel is a form of literature that combines a story told through sequential art. It is more complex and longer than a traditional comic book, often covering mature themes and narratives. 'Lock and Key' is a graphic novel by Joe Hill, which the video script mentions as the source material for the Netflix series.

💡Whimsical Aspects

Whimsical aspects refer to the playful, fanciful, or quirky elements of a story or production. The script notes that Netflix's 'Lock and Key' leans more into these whimsical aspects rather than the graphic violence and creepy visuals of the original graphic novel, making it more accessible to a wider audience.

💡Tone

Tone in literature and film refers to the mood or emotional atmosphere that is conveyed. The video discusses the change in tone from the original graphic novel to the Netflix series, with the series opting for a lighter, more family-friendly approach compared to the darker, more horror-oriented tone of the source material.

💡Production Design

Production design encompasses the visual elements of a film or television show, including set design, costumes, and props. The script praises the production design of 'Lock and Key' for creating a living, breathing Key House, with each room detailed and full of mysterious decor that adds depth to the story.

💡Magical Keys

In the context of 'Lock and Key,' magical keys are central to the plot, granting the characters special abilities or access to different aspects of the story. The script highlights the imaginative use of these keys, such as the 'Head Key,' which allows characters to relive memories and interact with their deceased father.

💡Character Building

Character building is the process of developing characters in a narrative to make them more relatable and engaging to the audience. The video mentions that the use of the magical keys in 'Lock and Key' provides great character-building moments, particularly in scenes where the children interact with their father's memories.

💡High School Drama

High school drama refers to the typical teenage issues and conflicts often depicted in television and film, such as bullying, cliques, and romantic interests. The script notes that some of the characters' adventures in 'Lock and Key' involve high school drama, which occasionally makes the show feel more like a teen drama series.

💡Supernatural Thriller

A supernatural thriller is a genre that combines elements of suspense and horror with supernatural phenomena. The video describes 'Lock and Key' as attempting to be a supernatural thriller, but it also points out that the series sometimes struggles to instill terror due to its focus on whimsy over horror.

💡Villain

A villain is a character in a narrative who exhibits traits that are identified as evil or criminal and who presents a challenge or threat to the protagonist. The script discusses the central villain in 'Lock and Key,' noting that while the character is menacing, the show's humor undermines the intended terror.

💡Family-Friendly

Family-friendly content is designed to be suitable for all ages, avoiding explicit material or themes that may not be appropriate for younger viewers. The video mentions that Netflix's adaptation of 'Lock and Key' is more family-friendly than the original graphic novel, making it accessible to a broader audience.

Highlights

Netflix's adaptation of 'Lock and Key' is a live-action version based on the graphic novel by Joe Hill and Gabrielle Rodriguez.

The series focuses on the Locke children and their mother moving to their ancestral home after a family tragedy.

The Netflix version differs from the graphic novel, leaning more into whimsy rather than graphic violence and terror.

The show's aim to appeal to a broader audience is evident through its lighter tone and lack of adult content.

Key House is a standout character, brought to life with meticulous production design and mysterious decor.

Bodhi, the youngest Locke child, experiences the most fascinating encounters with the magic keys.

The show sometimes feels like a teen drama, with the older siblings' high school adventures being less pivotal.

The 'Head Key' allows for creative visuals and exploration of body horror, adding depth to character relationships.

The series struggles with coherence when trying to balance family drama, supernatural thriller, murder mystery, and high school drama.

The villain's menacing presence is often undercut by the show's humor, reducing the intended tension.

Despite its issues, 'Lock and Key' succeeds with its slick visuals and focus on the Locke family's powerful bonds.

The series struggles to instill terror from its main villain, favoring whimsy over horror.

Netflix's adaptation is accessible for viewers unfamiliar with the franchise, though it may disappoint fans seeking a faithful adaptation.

Season 1 of 'Lock and Key' is an enjoyable binge, easily digestible for both fans and newcomers.

For more Netflix reviews, viewers are encouraged to check out thoughts on 'The Witcher' and 'Dracula'.

To stay updated with Netflix reviews, viewers are advised to subscribe to IGN on their preferred platform.