From
From
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that From is is a horror-mystery series that's jam-packed with blood and gore. There are unflinching and frequent shots of bodies marred by injuries of all types -- car crashes, monster attacks, and human-on-human violence. The mood is spooky and creepy, with themes and visuals that will likely scare younger kids. There's drinking, sometimes to excess. The language is frequently salty, with F-bombs flying on the regular.
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What's the Story?
FROM follows the example set by Lost with its premise of random travelers trapped in a town they can't escape, with seemingly mystical quirks and rules they need to learn and adapt to if they hope to survive. It may look like any run-down hamlet in middle America, but this town didn't evolve in a normal way at all, and the townspeople didn't end up here intentionally. Each was on their own separate journey, from different corners of the country, but found themselves suddenly trapped on an endless loop of road that keeps doubling back on itself, always ending in the same spot. Worse yet, there are bloodthirsty creatures that descend every night after sunset, hungry for flesh and delighting in torture. Bit by bit, we learn more about the history of the town and its inhabitants, unearthing various mysteries while discovering all-new ones.
Is It Any Good?
It's refreshing to see a high-concept, puzzle-type show feature so many horror elements, and the special effects in this series are suitably gross and chilling. If the premise of this show reminds you of Lost, that's no surprise; executive producers Jack Bender and Jeff Pinkner also worked on that smash hit, as did series lead Harold Perrineau (Claws, Oz), here portraying the well-intentioned but conflicted town Sheriff, Boyd Stevens. From may also remind viewers of Lost in the way it starts off with a real bang, all action and intrigue, only to backtrack at an arguably too-leisurely pace when it starts laying out the ground rules and mythology of this doomed town.
The cast is talented but overstuffed, and with so many characters to keep track of it can be hard to feel invested in anyone's fate. The Matthews family is the group we're meant to focus on the most, yet they're mainly ciphers at this point. Whether the series stands the test of time depends greatly on how satisfyingly it answers the questions they tease out each week, and on how well it differentiates itself from similar shows that came before it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how there are things about the town in From that don't make sense --roads that go nowhere, non-existent power lines, trees that transport objects from one place to another. How do mysterious elements like these keep audiences invested?
The Matthews family patriarch, Jim, is played by an actor from yet another show about a mystical, inescapable town: Eion Bailey, who starred as a grown-up Pinocchio in Once Upon a Time. Can you think of other shows or films with premises similar to From? How did the characters in those stories handle their fate?
How do the characters in From demonstrate character strengths like teamwork and courage?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 20, 2022
- Cast: Harold Perrineau, Eion Bailey, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Elizabeth Saunders
- Network: Epix
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: February 22, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
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The 4400
Strong sci-fi mystery OK for older tweens, teens.
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The Twilight Zone
Classic morality tales still make you think.
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Fringe
Moody conspiracy drama is creepy, complex, and masterful.
For kids who love mysteries
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