Parents' Guide to Helstrom

This horror series based on some lesser-known Marvel Comics' characters immediately subverts expectations, but can't keep up with itself. The opening scene, starring Daimon -- one half of the series' brother-sister, demon-hunting duo -- goes out of its way to poke fun at tired genre elements, from a possessed youngster speaking in tongues to the holy water used to put him in his place. But while this promising opening hints at an inspired take on well-trodden territory, the show quickly falls victim to the familiarity it seemed to be side-stepping early on. From creepy mental hospitals and haunted cemetery crypts to nonsensical journal scribbles and piercing violins, the series trots out one horror trope after another.

The abundance of formulaic trappings would be fine if the story, characters, and setting elevated them in some way. The brooding antiheroes, grim, rainy environments, and tales of demonic possession, however, do little to separate it from the pack. There's the occasional frightening scene and some interesting dynamics between Daimon and his sister Ana, but even with all the blood, supernatural powers, and hell-spawn, the series feels surprisingly bland. If you're a fan of the source material, Helstrom might be worth a look to see how its characters compare to their comic book counterparts, but horror enthusiasts craving some fresh frights won't find much to scream about here.