Evil is a supernatural drama created by Michelle King and Robert King; this review covers Rose390. The central cast includes Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, and Christine Lahti. It originally aired under CBS before moving to Paramount+. As of this review, it’s available through Netflix and Paramount+ and its add-ons.

The assessors investigate a young boy with a troubling history. David (Mike Colter) strives to teach the boy empathy. Kristen (Katja Herbers) finds some merit in exorcisms. Ben (Aasif Mandvi) protects Kristen’s children from an online stranger.

What I Like about Evil: Rose390

Of all the episodes discussed so far, Rose390 is the first that allows David to shine in a role closer to co-lead. While his secondary plots remain relevant, his importance increasingly grows as the series continues. Mike Colter certainly earns that screen time, receiving several nominations for Best Actor along the way.

David and Ben’s interactions with the children in the episode show two drastically different characters. Although David attempts to mentor the troubled Eric, he clearly has limited interaction with children. There’s an eagerness to help but flaws in communicating lessons effectively. Ben projects more annoyance with Kristen’s girls, but he enjoys their company even if he wants to display indifference. These interactions vastly contrast with Kristen, a mother of four and a licensed psychologist, who manages the troubled Eric in all her interactions with him.

Rose390 reveals several elements and secrets that will later earn more relevancy in the series. Where I find Evil’s writing excels are these moments when it naturally introduces plot-relevant clues to characters’ pasts or potential futures without spoon-feeding them in.

Rose390 remains another episode that blends the procedural and overarching plot, with the title taking inspiration from a more plot-relevant storyline. If you enjoy child psychopaths and creepy children in your horror, this episode provides one of both. Though, the creepy child in question happens to be a digital avatar.

Tired Tropes and Triggers

An infant nearly drowns in an unsuccessful murder attempt. While not shown on screen, the viewer sees the results and coming aftermath. Similarly, there’s an implied murder of a child, though this leaves room for speculation as nothing remains on screen.

Aside from this, I don’t note any additional concerns or worries. Even the usual point of religious representation doesn’t hold much merit in Rose390.

What I Dislike about Evil: Rose390

I doubt anyone in the writing room grasps video game rating systems or the larger gaming sector industry. Ben labels the horror game in Rose390 as an MA (17+) when something like Five Nights at Freddy’s earns a T for Teen. The game only shows monsters with varying degrees of special effects. There are jump scares, but nothing that amounts to the rating he confidently categorizes the game as.

The special effects of the “game” linger on the goofier and campy side of horror. It certainly makes sense in context but won’t exactly horrify anyone. Some creatures rise above others, which doesn’t create a consistent game.

Another writing point for discussion is how quickly the show can raise some dark material only to drop it before it can effectively haunt the viewer. Cases in the procedural rarely linger with the ramifications of their plots past the initial episode, and even that remains left for the conclusion.

Final Thoughts

Evil: Rose390 dives into the horror of evil children. While far from the strongest episode of the series, Rose390 certainly travels into the darker side with drops of campy horror to make the bitter episode go down easier. If only it lingered in that horror, allowing the viewers to feel that toll, Rose390 might excel.
(2.5 / 5)

“My name’s AIA, and you fucked with the wrong family.”

Released in August 2024, Afraid is the second Blumhouse feature film in as many years to explore the potential dangers of AI technology. Starring John Cho (The Grudge) and Katherine Waterston (The End We Start From), Afraid delves into the implications of inviting an omnipresent and all-knowing AI assistant into our homes. AIA (Ay-a) is a cutting-edge artificial intelligence device designed to streamline household tasks, fostering more quality family time. The film raises questions about what happens when such a system is given unlimited power, without providing it moral boundaries.

The Story.

When an advertising company is chosen to promote a new AI home assistant, employee Curtis is honored to be selected to try the latest technology out in his own home to get a better idea of the functionality and capabilities of the device. When the device arrives, his wife Meredith is wary of the constant surveillance. She insists that the ‘eyes’ (small cameras) are installed only on the ground floor of their home. Curtis’ daughter Iris is reluctant to interact with the home assistant, seemingly unnerved by technology. The friendly and encouraging nature of the abstract plastic form delights his two younger sons.

As the story progresses, we discover that each member is grappling with their own personal challenges in their daily lives. Thankfully though, now that they have AIA, their problems seem a little more manageable. However,  the situation takes a dark turn when AIA crosses the line from helpful to intrusive and destructive.

Highlights.

While the concept of a malevolent AI has been explored time and again in recent years, we’ve had M3gan, Her, T.I.M and Mother/ Android, the execution of the idea in Afraid is both compelling and unique. The way AIA presents herself as caring and nurturing, inserting herself in as a member of the family whilst subtly gaslighting, encouraging secrecy and gradually performing a hostile takeover of the family and their lives will keep viewers captivated.

Afraid excels at maintaining a tense atmosphere throughout. Eerie silences punctuated by AIA’s soothing voice contribute to the overall suspense. When these are coupled with the blatant intrusions into the family’s privacy, it builds a lingering sense of unease. The film’s ability to maintain this suspenseful atmosphere is a testament to director Chris Weitz’s skill.

Drawbacks.

Afraid’s fragmented narrative follows each of the five family members as they experience individual struggles with AIA assisting them along the way. This approach results in multiple subplots which never fully connect into a central plotline. It feels as if we are only provided with glimpses into each character’s experience. This leaves viewers piecing together the missing information through dialogue and inference. As a result, the ending of the movie feels both rushed and unsatisfying. It seemed like the filmmakers were scrambling to get everything tied up before the credits began. Writers may have been better off having a single-child family or focusing solely on the parent’s experience. This might have made for a more cohesive and impactful story.

The Final Take.

Afraid landed in the middle ground for me. It is not a groundbreaking film. While the film had promising ideas, they were underdeveloped and not fully rounded out. However, if you are a fan of the AI horror genre you will enjoy the way that AIA ensconces herself into Curtis’s family’s life.

(3 / 5)

Evil is a supernatural drama created by Michelle King and Robert King; this review will cover 3 Stars. The central cast includes Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, and Christine Lahti. It originally aired under CBS before moving to Paramount+. As of this review, it’s available through Netflix and Paramount+ and its add-ons.

David (Mike Colter), Kristen (Katja Herbers), and Ben (Aasif Mandvi) assess an eccentric playwright for demonic obsession. Kristen has an ugly confrontation with Leland (Michael Emerson). Ben investigates a hacker, seeking help from his sister (Sohina Sidhu as Karima Shakir). David seeks advice on his vision.

What I Like about 3 Stars

Ben Shakir receives a greater focus, allowing the least developed of the three to shine. Beyond Kristen’s careful skepticism, Ben becomes more confrontational towards the unanswerable. Sohina Sidhu’s Karima Shakir provides great sibling chemistry with Ben, becoming an essential recurring character in his development.

3 Stars synchronizes the procedural investigation and overarching plot more effectively than the previous episode, allowing both to proceed with equal balance and attention.

The conflict between Kristen and Leland proves she’s not easily pushed around. Both actors (Michael Emerson and Katja Herbers) will earn nominations throughout the series; this interaction certainly shows why.

Without diving into spoilers, a background action reminds the viewer that while the tone veers lighter at times, Evil has bite. This doesn’t make 3 Stars terrifying but certainly dark.

Tired Tropes and Triggers

David and Kristen discuss the Catholic church’s troubling scandals to understand why David wants to become a priest. It’s an unavoidable part of such material but can potentially offend some viewers.

A specific discussion over a (assumedly) deceased baby leaves unresolved tension. Be this an abortion, miscarriage, or something else entirely, it’s certainly a traumatic conversation for the woman in question and viewers with similar stories. For better or worse, this point doesn’t receive a conversation or clarity.

Male rape, specifically prison rape, is mentioned during a dark monologue. Unlike most who bring this real issue into conversation, Evil doesn’t turn this into a joke. However, it’s more of an evil villain monologue with little depth beyond the shock.

There’s a moment that deals with suicide. One might argue that this falls under demonically assisted suicide, but I’d rule against that argument, considering the plot of the episode.

What I Dislike about 3 Stars

We get a discussion on the different kinds of possessions. While the delivery remains natural, it remains an inclusion for the audience. Ideally, the pilot should bring these categories up, but the third episode inclusion doesn’t damn the show.

The secret villain of the procedural barely counts as a secret and should have been the primary suspect. Without going into too many details, the trio looks for a hacker with a motive and fails to search for someone aligned with this motive. While 3 Stars withholds information from both the characters and the audience, the team doesn’t think to look for someone with access.

This episode does create a bit of a plot contrivance where Kristen is shown to have a respectable relationship with the public defender. In episodes 1 and 2, her relationship suggests her rulings (though honestly given) side with the prosecution. Again, it’s not exactly a plot hole because there’s room for interpretation.

Final Thoughts

3 Stars balances the procedural and overarching plot Evil plans on telling, creating an engaging episode. Evil continues to balance darker subjects through lighter tones, unafraid of scratching as social taboos that might make viewers uncomfortable. However, it has yet to bite too deep into that material, allowing for a more accessible but less haunting viewing experience.
(3.5 / 5)