Evil is a supernatural drama created by Michelle King and Robert King; this review covers “Justice x 2.” 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, itās available through Netflix and Paramount+ and its add-ons.
David (Mike Colter) provides spiritual leadership and advice for a woman on the brink of collapse. Kristen (Katja Herbers) testifies in court. Andy (Patrick Brammall) canāt contact Kristen as their daughter’s health worsens. Ben (Aasif Mandvi) acts as a chauffeur.
What I Like about “Justice x 2”
As “Justice x 2” prepares viewers for the season finale, many minor antagonists and plot points return. This decision provides a sense of continuity between episodes and brings back a few haunting characters. Orson LeRoux’s (Darren Pettie) inclusion brings a full circle to season 1 of Evil.
While much of “Justice x 2” sets up mounting chaos and tension, Davidās plotline drives the most from its narrative. Sonia Kamanzi (Emayatzy Corinealdi) and Lando Mutabazi (Gbenga Akinnagbe) steal the plotline as they hash out their troubling pasts. David, in response, escapes one horror to fall into this terrible situation.
Kristen and Leland (Michael Emerson) hold another great scene where Kristen completely obliterates his monologue with some uncomfortable knowledge. This deeply rewarding scene highlights Kristen as a force when pushed.
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While Evil plays with its supernatural elements, “Justice x 2” finale brings all these elements to light and gives the viewer a proper answer. Because Evil categorizes itself as a supernatural drama, the answer shouldn’t come as a shock. True to its form, thereās a dark humor and playfulness to Evil‘s answers, aligning with the showās tone.
In terms of horror, “Justice x 2” delivers. From Davidās plot to what the episode sets up for the finale, Evil aims to pay off what it has spent the past eleven episodes building up to. Beyond what it already establishes, it pushes David further to the brink.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
“Justice x 2” discusses genocide, specifically the Rwandan genocide. In fact, one of the characterās names likely refers to Jean Kambanda but also alludes to the radio stars who encouraged the genocide. Itās one of those moments where the real evil might unsettle the narrative for some viewers.
While little discussion occurs in this episode, Orson LeRoux is a convicted murderer and rapist. Another murderer takes the credit, but itās clear that this ploy aligns with Lelandās plan.
What I Dislike about “Justice x 2”
Andy seems to assume and fear that Kristen has a relationship with Ben over no other evidence aside from him helping around the house. It seems a strange assumption to make with the evidence provided. The suspicions are not taken to full accusations yet, but the suspicion comes at a tense moment in the episode.
There are a few issues with Orsonās supposed innocence. While the audience knows this to be a ploy, how do the characters take it seriously when the patsy has an entirely different attack pattern? Furthermore, Orson sexually assaults his victims, which indicates more damning and definitive evidence that doesn’t warrant a discussion. It feels like a situation where everyone becomes dumber for the plot.
One character attempts to obscure their identity with a fake American accent but reverts to their natural accent when engaging with the public. That is an incredibly risky decision when youāre attempting to escape war crimes.
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Final Thoughts
“Justice x 2” hits hard by setting up the tension for the season finale. However, it does require some frankly stupid character decisions to accomplish this. Itās an episode with incredible high points that are, unfortunately, tempered by some weaker writing points. (3 / 5)
Zeth received his M.A in English with a focus in Creative Writing at CSU, Chico. As a human writer, he published in the 9th volume of Multicultural Echoes, served on the editorial board of Watershed Review, and is a horror reviewer for Haunted MTL. All agree he is a real-life human and not an octopus in human skin.
Fascinated by horror novels and their movie adaptations, Zeth channels his bone-riddled arms in their study. Games are also a tasty treat, but he only has the two human limbs to write. If you enjoy his writing, check out his website.
āF is for Fireā is an episode of the supernatural drama, Evil, created by Michelle King and Robert King. The central cast includes Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, Christine Lahti, and Andrea Martin. It originally aired under CBS before moving to Paramount+. As of this review, itās available through Netflix and Paramount+ and its add-ons.
The assessors investigate a pyromaniac for potential demonic possession. David (Mike Colter) brings Sister Andrea (Andrea Martin) into his circle of trust. Ben (Aasif Mandvi) remembers old Islamic stories of jinn. Kristen (Katja Herbers) meets an incredibly hot and mysterious figure. Sheryl (Christine Lahti) finds a therapist to work out her problems.
What I Like about Evil: āF is for Fireā
āF is for Fireā improves on Evilās special effects, showing a renewed focus and competency in the area. The last season would likely use a more comical design, favoring tone over haunting the viewer with its budget. It helps that the design holds a haunting element to its fiery creature.
This episode introduces something outside the Christian/Catholic depiction, specifically relating to the Islamic jinn. This new element creates an understandable friction for the Catholic assessors. As Ben was raised Muslim and Davidās Catholic teachings don’t permit the concept of jinn, it challenges both outside their comfort zone. Perhaps more so for Ben, who prides himself as an Atheist.
Either through trauma or evil influence, Kristen seems changed and impulsive. Her passionate pursuit of risks makes the viewer wonder how far she plans on going. With the introduction of her mysterious stranger, it seems a darker turn will soon follow.
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While far from the darkest or most haunting episode Evil put to the screen, āF is for Fireā does suggest an unsettling new norm for the team. The plot also introduces a new supernatural villain who seems to create tangible harm beyond most of season 1ās earlier supernatural creatures. The stakes are greater now than ever, and āF is for Fireā aims to prove this to the viewer.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Thereās a wider theological friction within this episode, which Iāve mentioned earlier. This difference focuses on Islamic and Catholic understanding of spiritual forces and exorcisms. I am not versed enough to pretend to know if these are accurate portrayals, but I will expand on this point.
While not given much attention or focus, a demon sexually assaults a male character. Again, this lingers on the subjective state, but we know demons exist in this show by now, so the assaults feel less speculative and more real.
This episode continues flirting with infidelity that might irk some viewers. While nothing comes of this plot yet, the implications seem to suggest something will happen.
What I Dislike about Evil: āF is for Fireā
Sherylās attempted manipulation of another character seems awkwardly unnecessary and overly dramatic. I assume this act intends to show her manipulative character, which āF is for Fireā certainly adds to, but it does look like an attempt to connect two characters to fill time.
The jinn description is so minute that I donāt see how Ben came to any conclusion outside of a typical demon. A more detailed description might make Benās conclusion more reasonable to the viewer.
Davidās claim that jinn are not of God and thus canāt exist which isnāt exactly true. From my understanding of Muslim lore, angels, jinn, and humans are of God and capable of good and evil. Perhaps a more accurate claim might suggest things outside the bible cannot exist.
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Final Thoughts
āF is for Fireā tempts the assessors in new ways, sparking some unsettling weaknesses for Evil to rise. It continues layering the overarching plot and building the personal trials facing each character. While not the most haunting episode, “F is for Fire” nurtures a coming flame by building atop tension. (3 / 5)
Hello everyone and Happy October! It’s time for some spooky goodness and terrifying treats. And of course at HauntedMTL, it’s our favourite time of the year.
That being said, this review is a long time coming.
I first had the pleasure of viewing LAST ONE ALIVE’s Michigan premier at Motor City Nightmares, a horror convention and film festival. In the audience was writer and director David Axe and star Caylin Sams to promote the film and answer questions.
And since I was fashionably late to the movie, I asked Axe if it was possible to snag a screener to watch the full movie and, well, here we are.
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So, enjoy this rare spoiler-free review.
The Plot of ONE LEFT ALIVE:
Sara (Sams) is the lone survivor of a brutal massacre of her friends in the woods one fateful night.
And where most movies end here, ONE LEFT ALIVE begins.
Burdened by survivor’s guilt, police suspicion, newly found fame and growing nihilism, Sara navigates the world and her memories after the attack. Trying to regain her sanity and find out why she was the only one left alive, Sara keeps going back to the woods, searching for answers…or maybe her own ending.
Thoughts of ONE LEFT ALIVE:
LEFT ONE ALIVE is a unique film. It’s a slow-burn independent drama where the horror isn’t so much what’s out in the woods but picking up the pieces of a life interrupted by tragedy.
But during these scenes, there’s humor mixed in. She punches the actress when she gets annoyed with the questioning, but only grows closer to her. Dating the actress afterwards in a strange relationship
Also, when seeing the fake Tubbies (the monsters) for the first time, she was really vocal about their missing…appendages. Dangly appendages.
Acting and Cast
However, some of the most genuine scenes came when Sara was with her sister, Sam (Rachel Tracy). The acting throughout ONE LEFT ALIVE can be slightly stilted. However, it shines brightest between Sams and Tracy, showing the bond of their sisterhood and the love they share. It felt very natural and organic, really achieving some of the best moments of the film.
For such a tight budget, Axe really was able to use a lot of resources. The casting was really impressive, having both seasoned and new actors including Rachel Petsiavas, Alex Javo, the delightful Sanethia Dresch, and Raj Karottukunnel.
Cinematography
Sarah Massey produced, shot and edited the film, and took risks with some of the shots. However, the risk paid off, not only keeping the story and perspectives interesting, but also reminded me of the art of cinematography.
It’s not often when a movie reminds me that yes, this is a moving picture. Each scene should be expressed in a way that suits the theme, mood and acting. I don’t want to sound old and be like, “movies these days…” But here we are. I am old and also, movies these days. Cinematic shots are meant to serve as a kind of shorthand for what the audience is meant to be feeling – what the expression of the film is and inside the minds of our characters (i.e., long shots to show the character is feeling alone or overwhelmed, etc.). Cinematography 101 stuff.
One shot in LEFT ONE ALIVE that was clever and simple to execute was when Sara goes missing and her sister, Sam, is waiting at home, pacing back and forth. The camera moves with her as other characters are sitting down. The motion follows her unease, focusing only on her and her fear that something horrible has happened. Again. The audience experiences this unease with her as we, too, pace with her.
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Music
Also, the music in LEFT ONE ALIVE – color me impressed. It’s often that I’ll watch a horror movie and either the music is too jarring (looking at you, Longlegs) or just doesn’t fit because it’s thrown in without relating to the movie itself. Tyler Matthews does an incredible job at adding to the scene than detracting from it in a careful balance. The music is never too intrusive as to divert attention away from the acting or cinematography, nor does it overstay its welcome. The editing and sound design were clever with when to have silence, music, and natural sound. It’s a difficult balance to do and LEFT ONE ALIVE is a shining example of how to do it right.
Critiques
The only critiques that I have are, as mentioned, the acting can be stilted. Some of the bigger concepts (like finding the new species, making a film within a film, and the legal/media issues) will need you to suspend your disbelief a bit. And as much as I love a slow-burn, some of scenes could have been cut down (like the uber ride).
BRAINROLL JUICE:
For this section I was going to talk about PTSD and dogmen, but then while researching for this review, I saw something I’d rather talk about more.
This movie was one of the last films with actor Raj Karottukunnel, who passed away in April of this year. He was very young (40 is young, trust me) and left behind two daughters. It’s evident he was extremely loved by those who knew him and he will be missed greatly.
Sometimes when we watch movies, especially independent movies, we forget how fucking hard it is to make a film. It takes time. Work. Talent. Ambition. A lot of luck. Everyone goes an extra mile because it’s a small crew and it’s a dream that they have. They get to live it, but it takes a lot of effort.
It’s easy to forget there’s a forest through the trees and that these are all people. People with hopes and dreams and fears and whole other lives. Maybe they’re in front of the camera, maybe they’re directing the camera, or maybe they’re like my production assistant friend throwing dirt on actors for a civil war history show. But they all have a home and a family to go back to at the end of the day. And it’s incredibly sad when they don’t get to.
So, I guess this is just my soapbox to remind fans to be kind. Remember to be grateful and gracious of the people who are part of this very cool thing that we love and care about. Horror is, ironically, about community. About a place to belong, even in our darkest moments, even when we’re weird and gross. Let’s keep it weird and gross and lovely and, above all, kind.
BOTTOMLINE:
Even though it’s not in distribution yet, when it is and you’re looking for something a little different in your horror repertoire, I would highly suggest LEFT ONE ALIVE.
(4 / 5)
We begin our episode again on The Road. But now, for the first time, the coven is not alone. They’re being hunted by a terrifying group of witches called the Salem Seven. Trapped, they craft brooms and take off into the air.
This only allows them to escape for a few moments, but a few moments is all they need to get into the relative safety of the next challenge house.
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There, they find themselves in a sleepover. This is Agatha’s challenge. And of course, Agatha’s challenge is that she has to face the ghosts of her pastāthe literal ghosts, including the ghosts of her mother and her son.
While they do get out of the challenge, they leave someone behind. Agatha, having shown her true colors again, reveals that she knows who Teen is finally.
And by the end, so do we.
What worked
I want to begin by talking about The Salem Seven. Because they are creepy as hell.
The way they move is fantastic. Their strange, jerky movements are unnerving enough to get under just about anyone’s skin. But knowing who they are, and why they hate Agatha, lends an additional level of emotional trauma.
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I also really liked that this challenge took place in a sleepover. Even better, a sleepover in the late eighties, early nineties. As anyone who attended a girl’s sleepover during that time will tell you, those got witchy even if no one at the party associated with being a witch. There were ouija boards. There was fortune telling. There was calling on evil demons, like Bloody Mary and Candy Man. I may or may not have been a part of a game of Light as a Feather, Stiff As A Board in which a friend was dropped on the concrete basement floor. The point is, sleepovers get witchy and I appreciate the acknowledgment. I also liked that the rules regarding the Ouija board were pretty well spot on.
And pretty well ignored as soon as Teen spoke them.
Speaking of Teen, he is just about done with everyoneās catty behavior. And I mean everyone, including Agatha. His opinion of her seems to have greatly changed since the beginning of this journey. And he has clearly had enough.
Rio and Agathaās relationship has also changed. Itās fascinating to see Rio be so protective of Agatha, while at the same time still ready and raring to kill her. While Iām not sure thatās the healthiest relationship, it kind of seems to work for them.
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What didnāt work
All of that being said, there was one glaring problem with this episode. And it is, unfortunately, Agatha.
We’ll recall that Agatha, at the start of this season, wasn’t a good person. She was not a good person in Wandavision, so that shouldn’t be surprising. I will again remind everyone that Agatha killed Sparky.
But by this time in the season, I would have expected her to have had some character growth. And that is not what we are seeing here. It appears that Agatha is just as selfish, just as fast-talking, and just as cruel as she’s ever been.
And that is just not what we wanted. If we get to the end of the season and Agatha hasn’t grown, then it’s going to feel like a cheat. While the adventures along The Road are fun, I don’t think that’s what we’re all here for. At least it’s not what I’m here for.
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Letās hope we start seeing some character growth next week. Otherwise, this whole journey is going to feel worthless.
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