While I was getting my hair colored a couple weeks ago, I happened upon an article in People magazine about a new Netflix-only series called Hemlock Grove. It didn’t take reading beyond “werewolf” “supernatural” and “horror” to have me writing the title down and then checking it out during my non-working time. The review in People also stated that the show is a little slow to get into the mystery, and when I started to watch it, I agreed. The background shots can also occasionally be fake-looking, but after episode two, I was getting hooked despite the flaws.
The official premise is this: “In the shadows of a rusted Pennsylvania steel town, the mangled body of a teenage girl is discovered. As they hunt for a monster among them, rumors mount and many of the eccentric residents become suspects, from the newly arrived gypsy family to the wealthy Godfrey clan. In the twisted world of Hemlock Grove, everyone hides a dark secret. From director Eli Roth comes a chilling supernatural series based on Brian McGreevy’s novel.”
More than werewolves lurk in Hemlock Grove. There are also “upirs” which we would call vampires and there’s an element of magic, too. None of this is unusual for a supernatural series, but where Hemlock Grove differs from other shows is that it’s truly a horror series. Between the explicit violence and equally explicit sex, it’s also very adult content even though most of the main characters are in high school. And despite it’s sometimes campy cinematography and slow start, the characters are what grabbed me. It’s easy to cheer for characters who are trying to do the right thing under horrible circumstances, but when I can be revolted by a character’s actions and yet still want that character to find redemption, the show’s worth watching for me. I really hope Netflix picks up Hemlock Grove for a second season.
So, if you’re looking for something that David Hiltbrand of the Philadelphia Inquirer called “lush, gross, frightening, and ridiculous–all at the same time” and you have Netflix, then I recommend Hemlock Grove.
Main cast: Famke Janssen, Dougray Scott, Freya Tingley, Landon Liboiron, Penelope Mitchell, Bill Skarsgard (yes, True Blood fans, he’s Alexander Skarsgard’s younger brother) and Lily Taylor.
I couldn’t really get into it. I watched the first 3 episodes. The one thing I wanted to add was that they had the most impressive werewolf change I’ve ever seen. Congrats on that!
The show’s definitely not for everyone, but I agree. That werewolf-changing seen had me saying “Gross!” and “Cool!” at the same time ;).
Greeting from across the pond, I found it a bit weird, I prefer werewolves to vamps though, I make the exception for some, eric and ian 😉 Are you ever gonna come to the UK we need to meet you!!
I hope to come to the UK one day. No definite plans yet, though.
I was so confused about who was what that I had to keep watching for no other reason, but to have that AH HA moment. I finally got it in the 10 episode. Don’t get me wrong I knew what the gist of the show was about, but the ever present question about what the heck Roman was or wasn’t kept me hooked. Not to mention the last episode where… well you know (don’t want to ruin the surprise ending for anyone). I have to say that while I was just watching to get the point for most of the first season I can’t wait for the next one. I will be so mad if they leave us hanging like so many adult supernatural shows do.
very interesting…. i trust in your opinion and i have netflix so i will check it out
XoXo
I think you’ll either love it or hate it. It’s one of those things that doesn’t really fall in the middle, imo.
I love the series and not sure what I’m going to do once I finish watching it!!
Netflix is really changing the way TV is watched. I love Hemlock Grove and really hope season two is on the way!
Has anyone read the book this is based on?
I have it; I’ll probably start it soon.
I have now signed up for Netflix just to check this out since you suggested it. If you can create Cat & Bones, I trust your judgement.
On a side note, I was reading a dismal review on Dead Ever After and someone likened the ending to if Bones left and Cat wound up settling for Tate….. I nearly cried at the very thought! Just thought I’d throw that in there, anyone else find that thought horrifying, or is it just me?
I read that review too…it perfectly summed up the horror of the demise of the SVM series.
On topic…Hemlock Grove waiting in my Que. But it will have to wait as I finish re-devouring The Night Huntress series…this time on audio. Tavia is amazing!
I was so looking forward to that book, but the reviews have really put me off as well. I’ve watched all of Hemlock Grove, and I agree, can’t wait for the second series.
Deb, I like bizarre things sometimes, so be warned about the show :).
I’m already in the third episode, and while its a bit campy, I, too, love the bizarre. So far, it’s an interesting take on the genre. I gotta admit though, as superficial as it sounds, I’m still interested to see if little brother can perform as well as my ASkars. Big shoes to fill and all. The only thing that is truly bothering me so far is Famke’s accent, it sounds to forced and slips in and out. But the actual plot is grabbing me, I hope they pick it up for another season. Thanks for the recommendation, Jeaniene, though as you’re my favorite author, I’m not surprised that I would like something that you suggested!
I will check it out. My stepson liked it too.
I watched the series on netflix and enjoyed it , also read the book, they differ somewhat but i’m hopeing also netflix continues this series
Ugh!!! I was soooooo hooked!! I had NO CLUE what was going on for about the first two episodes but once I was there, that was it. I watched the entire season over the course of 3 evenings. Loved it. Femke Jensen is just delicious and Bill Skarsgard is intense. Love, love, LOVE!
Agreed! My husband and I stayed up until 1am the other night to watch the last five episodes in a row. #ShowAddict
UGH! I have wanted to watch this ever since they started filming just two blocks away from my house, but I don’t have Netflix! I am so sad!
Like it very much. Thanks for posting it.
This series sounds interesting that I will watch it. It almost sounds like the Otherworld series from Kelley Armstrong.
While it’s not ‘horror’, if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend “Lost Girl” on Sifi (or better yet, on Showcase.ca if you can get it). Interesting take on wolves (gotta love Dyson), but a really well-researched fae mythology, and it’s not just the British Isles – prepare for everything from Baku to Ifrit and back again. Also, Canadian cable production, so a lot more nudity than normal tv, and more relaxed takes on sex – the main character’s a Succubus, and she doesn’t much care about the gender of her partner(s).
Love “Lost Girl”. Bo is a wonderful female hero in the tradition of Xena and Buffy 🙂
love this show hope there is a sesone 2 all the twists and truns and the people are great.
I love it! It’s less campy than many of its competitors such as Teen Wolf and Being Human. The characters are strong and they have a really wonderful cast. I like that Netflix posted all the episodes at once too. Amazon has similar programming, but they only posted one episode of each program and none of them are as good.
I heard of this series from a co worker who said to watch it and I also saw the trailer on the CW channel. I agree that it did take a couple episodes before really loving this show. I really hope they pick it up for a second season. I have already recommended it to other people. It is differently in the category of things I love.
Thanks for the heads up. I have Netflix so I’ll need to check this one out. I’m always on the hunt for a new supernatural show to watch.
My daughter and I just started watching it and we’re on episode 8.. We really like it. It keeps you guessing.
We almost gave up after the pilot because it was so flippin’ weird, but I’m glad we stuck it out. The finale was uh-maze-ing. I’m with you; I really hope they renew it for a second season.
I did watch the pilot with a friend a few weeks ago and we both mutually agreed to let it go. But I have been considering giving it another shot. It’s nice that the whole series is already up on netflix.
I recently came upon this series as well and absolutely LOVED it. Not as much as I love Bones, hehe, but pretty close. 🙂
Loved Hamlock Grove. Great show. Just created a Facebook group for discussion about the series. We’re just getting it going so not much there yet. If anyone here would like to discuss the show, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/hemlockgrovefans/. The more the merrier.
Hemlock Grove, PA is a closed group, so if anyone would like to join, email me at glamoured69@gmail.com and I’ll add you.
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Hemlock grove was awesome, I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed watching tv as much. I also had the pleasure or reading your novels, Once Burned and Twice Tempted, the detail you’ve managed to include while spinning those yarns made the books come alive and I find myself anxiously awaiting the further development of the series (there are going to be more right?).