“Z is for Zombies” (Evil: S2E5)
“Z is for Zombies” is an episode of the supernatural drama Evil. The assessors investigate Father Mulvehill’s spiritual exhaustion.
“Z is for Zombies” 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, it’s available through Netflix and Paramount+ and its add-ons.
The assessors investigate Father Mulvehill (Brian Stokes Mitchell) after he confesses to suffering from spiritual exhaustion. David (Mike Colter) asks Sister Andrea (Andrea Martin) for advice on these spiritual matters. Lila (Skyler Gray) and her friend Alex (Gloria Manning) investigate the strange delivery workers in their neighborhood.
What I Like about Evil: “Z is for Zombies”
This episode not so subtly comments on inhumane working conditions, hitting pretty hard in its message. “Z is for Zombies” shows a fair bit of knowledge on the subject, making the commentary land better.
Episodes have focused on Kristen’s children in the past. In this episode, Lila leads the titular plot. It adds a dynamic nature to the characters, raising one daughter with little previous focus into a leading character.
This episode deviates from previous episodes because it focuses on an individual plot that doesn’t relate to the procedural. I lean on this being a positive development because of the unique plot, but it does push back more relevant developments.
However, they still progress in meaningful ways. Specifically, Leland’s ongoing exorcism takes a few dramatic turns. One moment will likely remain a uniquely satisfying scene for those who have grown to hate the character. This episode also solidifies the hostile feud between Leland and Sister Andrea.
“Z is for Zombies” delivers an existential horror and commentary more relevant to modern-day exploitation. While Evil doesn’t shy away from such conversations, this episode provides a more pointed critique while maintaining its dark comedic tone. Evil better addresses most of its critiques and themes when indulging in the dark comedy of its world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
As mentioned above, there’s a nearly direct commentary on worker exploitation. Without directly bringing up wage slavery, “Z is for Zombies” does make connections between slavery and worker exploitation by suggesting similar solutions. This decision might act as a step too far for some viewers.
Another key plot point is a gambling addict’s relapsing. This plot gets muddied by spiritual or personal discipline. However, that’s the internalized justification of the character relapsing. The episode conveys the importance of external help.
What I Dislike about Evil: “Z is for Zombies”
Though I brought it up as a positive point, the episode does deviate from the season’s RSM Fertility plotline. The overarching plot seems to prioritize Leland’s exorcism, which also takes a back seat but does move along in the story. Father Mulvehill’s personal struggles lose some thematic tension with how easily priests seem to come and go from Evil. He’s not even the first exorcist we’ve seen in the show.
As the central plot of “Z is for Zombies” follows children, there are a few plot contrivances to simplify certain elements. I will go out on a limb and say some of this might suggest supernatural/magical intervention. It feels like the plot contrivance a show targeting younger audiences might create, which matches the younger characters starring in it. However, Evil isn’t a kid’s show or accustomed to these moments of plot simplification, so it does stand out.
Final Thoughts
“Z is for Zombies” brings existential horror to Evil in a more effective commentary than episodes before. While it makes less progress toward the seasonal plots, it still provides an interesting story that expands the concept of evil for the show. It’s only the simplification that takes these ideas and reduces the execution.
(2.5 / 5)
Movies n TV
Death Becomes Her (1992), a Film Review
Death Becomes Her (1992) is a surrealist dark comedy directed by Robert Zemeckis. This PG-13 movie stars the iconic legends Meryl Streep, Bruce Willes, and Goldie Hawn.
Death Becomes Her (1992) is a surrealist dark comedy directed by Robert Zemeckis. This PG-13 movie stars the iconic legends Meryl Streep, Bruce Willes, and Goldie Hawn. As of this review, this classic left Amazon Prime but will remain rentable through Prime, YouTube, Google Play Movie, Apple TV, and more.
Helen (Goldie Hawn) and Madeline (Meryl Streep) have been frenemies for years, but when Helen introduces her husband (Bruce Willis as Ernest) to Madeline, that rivalry enters new heights. As Helen plans her revenge, Madeline receives an offer that might cure the pesky inconvenience of aging.
What I Like about Death Becomes Her
Death Becomes Her won Best Special Effects from the Academy Awards (1993), the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, BAFTA, and Awards Circuit Community Award. Isabella Rossellini won Best Supporting Actress from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films.
Everyone delivers an outstanding performance worthy of note, creating a synergy and chemistry that provides a challenge in describing. A specific example is the toxic friendship between Madeline and Helen, a true pleasure to watch on screen. Their destructive friendship remains the key draw of Death Becomes Her.
When all the performances are exceptional, it’s hard to pinpoint one to focus on. Instead, viewers likely gravitate towards certain traits or archetypes that a character evokes. Madeline is the diva who hates her life. Helen provides a more reserved and passive-aggressive character, plotting her way to a bloody vengeance. Isabella Rossellini earns her award and recognition from a truly captivating performance as Lisle Von Rhuman, requiring charm and mystique in equal measures.
The humor and delivery still have me cackling over Death Becomes Her. While not everything ages to perfection, there’s a timelessness to the film that will likely stand for years to come. It’s easy to claim this when the film proves a classic already.
I will comment on this point again, but the special effects hold up surprisingly well. Yes, certain scenes show age, but they mostly look believable to modern scrutiny. Perhaps the surrealist and dark comedic nature of Death Becomes Her helps with this longevity. From my understanding, Death Becomes Her pioneered many tricks and all-around film magic it displays on screen.
As of writing this review, Death Becomes Her remains largely spared from the cash-grab remakes all too common for successful or cult classic films. While it seems inevitable that Death Becomes Her will receive this punishment eventually, Hollywood’s restraint likely suggests respect for the film’s longevity. However, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Taste” does boast a clear influence from the film.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Madeline and Ernest have a horrifyingly dysfunctional marriage that results in a murder. I won’t dive into more detail to avoid spoilers. I will mention that death holds a dark comedic tone, but that doesn’t change the toxic relationship.
An actress wears a fat suit. She later becomes the target of fat shaming and ridicule. The suit doesn’t last long, following only a few scenes to show the character’s spiral into depression.
What I Dislike about Death Becomes Her
The second half of the film pivots Ernest as the main character, having him learn the lesson and grow. While I don’t mind this in theory, and it seems a hard point to work around, it does remove focus from Madeline and Helen.
A character claims that Ernest began life at fifty with little known about his life before this time. That’s a hilarious claim since he was a famous plastic surgeon who became an exceptional mortician and married an actress with some name recognition.
As mentioned, the special effects show age. While I still commit to the claim that it holds up surprisingly well, Death Becomes Her does have moments when viewers note the 1992 release date. Viewers shouldn’t expect the kind of CGI and film magic of the modern day. However, creativity and ingenuity give a timeless charm to Death Becomes Her.
Final Thoughts
Death Becomes Her remains a classic largely untouched by the passage of time. While it shows some age here and there, the film takes its own potion of eternal youth. If you’re eager for a dark comedy that doesn’t shy away from the surreal, Death Becomes Her remains an exceptional choice.
(5 / 5)
Movies n TV
Evil: “E is for Elevator” (S2E4)
Evil: “E is for Elevator” is an episode of the supernatural drama. The assessors investigate a missing person.
“E is for Elevator” 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, it’s available through Netflix and Paramount+ and its add-ons.
The assessors investigate a missing person who dabbled in the occult, leading to a mysterious elevator. Ben (Aasif Mandvi) plays the elevator game. David (Mike Colter) questions his place in the Catholic church. Kristen (Katja Herbers) finds herself stuck with an angry stranger and meets a hot stranger.
What I Like about Evil: “E is for Elevator”
I reviewed a film that also took inspiration from the elevator game’s original urban legend with a more faithful adaptation, but “E is for Elevator” certainly sets itself in the foundation of the lore. “E is for Elevator” incorporates this urban legend into Evil with a more realistic twist, adding only its supernatural element and dark comedic tone. Evil creates and addresses some show-specific urban trends, but this episode makes a real-world connection.
David delivers a speech that causes a stir as it comments on race. This speech opens the door to a group of “renegade Catholics,” which certainly suggests potential opportunities. The initial interest and expansion of what it means to be Catholic inspires an expectation for the group to earn more attention in the future. Unfortunately, viewers will find only a few recurring characters drop in at later points.
“E is for Elevator” focuses mostly on Ben, allowing Aasif Mandvi to shine at the opportunity. Of all the episodes so far, he receives his hardest challenge to push him just short of the edge. It’s interesting to find Ben trapped and dependent on those who care about him to think like him.
Ben’s imprisonment channels the true horror of “E is for Elevator,” putting him in a situation where deduction or rational thought can only amplify his fear as he awaits the inevitable. Ben’s journey delivers the heart of the horror in “E is for Elevator.” While far from the most haunting episode, it certainly evokes a level of hopelessness and stress that remains horrific.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
As mentioned above, “E is for Elevator” discusses racism but in a manner that only raises the subject. Leland does bring up diversity hiring to irritate and ultimately manipulate David. The message gets murky when the villain instigates these reactions, but there are objective truths. Future episodes better contextualize Evil’s conversations about racism.
What I Dislike about Evil: “E is for Elevator”
The assessors get a massive break in the case when a random person who knows the two victims goes to the hotel at the perfect time to meet them and deliver their backstory. This person also has evidence and plenty of leads for the team to follow. Because of this writing decision, one of the most glaring examples of plot contrivance becomes essential to the plot. An easy fix for this issue is that the team meets this character online or gets directly approached by this character on purpose.
This point indicates another problem with the overall execution of the episode. The plot doesn’t seem as tight or focused in “E is for Elevator,” veering off course and traveling back and forth as needed for the plot and creating issues along the way.
Final Thoughts
“E is for Elevator” challenges Ben harder than any episode before but doesn’t deliver the most focused and structured plot. Aside from his storyline, the other plot threads linger but are too afraid to dive into the substance they seek to introduce. It’s by no means a bad episode, but one weighed down by the weight around that main plot.
(3 / 5)
Movies n TV
Evil: “F is for Fire” (S2E3)
“F is for Fire” is an episode of the supernatural drama, Evil. The assessors investigate a pyromaniac for potential demonic possession.
“F is for Fire” 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, it’s 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: “F is for Fire”
“F is for Fire” improves on Evil’s 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 David’s 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.
While far from the darkest or most haunting episode Evil put to the screen, “F is for Fire” 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 1’s earlier supernatural creatures. The stakes are greater now than ever, and “F is for Fire” aims to prove this to the viewer.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
There’s a wider theological friction within this episode, which I’ve 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: “F is for Fire”
Sheryl’s attempted manipulation of another character seems awkwardly unnecessary and overly dramatic. I assume this act intends to show her manipulative character, which “F is for Fire” 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 don’t see how Ben came to any conclusion outside of a typical demon. A more detailed description might make Ben’s conclusion more reasonable to the viewer.
David’s claim that jinn are not of God and thus can’t exist which isn’t 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.
Final Thoughts
“F is for Fire” 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)
