Now Streaming

Devs: Alex Garland Does It Again

DevsDevs

Devs Is An Absolutely Brilliant TV Show

Going into Devs, I had expectations. I had heard the pacing was slow. That it was hard to get through.

I did not remotely have that issue.

Instead, I was engaged, enraptured even.

I also didn’t realize this was an Alex Garland show until the ending credits. And, if I had known that simple fact, I would have had no concerns. Alex Garland has a style that makes everything he touches—at least that I’ve seen—enthrallingly heady, mentally challenging, and worthy of long ponders.

And with Devs, he’s pretty much cemented himself as one of my favorite directors. He takes a premise, an otherwise pulpy idea, and makes it very serious.

DevsDevs

Devs Does Serious, Hard Science Fiction Properly

So, spoiler alert, here’s the hook: what if you had a machine that could accurately predict the future? And what if the future could not ever be changed?

I don’t trust many to do this justice. In fact, it’s a miracle Devs turned out as well as it did. Here we have not only scenes of characters having philosophical discussions and giving monologues on the nature of grief, but it’s moved along and brought about by a tense techno-thriller plot with camera work like it’s from David Fincher. And the two modes are swapped to and from nearly seamlessly.

DevsDevs

Devs Shows Two Genres Bolstering One Another

But it’s not for everyone, even fans of sci-fi, thrillers, or philosophical stories in general. Devs expects more from you than most shows. It’s not something to be enjoyed casually. Devs will not help you unwind, de-stress, or calm down. It’s not fun in the traditional sense—and I don’t blame you if you’re not up for that. This is a cold but not uncompassionate look at a potential future. It manages a sense of bleakness and nihilism while still having engaging characters, sensible twists, and continuous uncertainty about when, who, and where someone’s going to die, discover something, or be deceived.

And, if that sounds good, even a little: watch Devs. It may not be the most action-packed show in the traditional sense, but there’s more than one way to keep you on the edge of your seat.


Possibly Related Posts:

Comments

Brandon Scott

Share
Published by
Brandon Scott

Recent Posts

Ironheart Episodic Coverage: “Bad Magic”

I was so concerned during the first half of “Bad Magic.” Nothing seemed to be… Read More

2 days ago

The Magnus Protocol Reviews: “Sink or Swim”

“Sink or Swim” is a disturbing, creative episode that would’ve likely creeped me out if… Read More

4 days ago

Friday Fiction: Hiding In Plain Sight (Part 2)

Not every monster is a scary, massive thing, as this story proves. In our second… Read More

7 days ago

Ironheart Episodic Coverage: “We in Danger, Girl”

“We in Danger, Girl,” could best be described as the consequences episode. Many, many plotlines… Read More

1 week ago

The Magnus Protocol Reviews: “Hostile Workplace”

Why wasn’t “Hostile Workplace” the episode we got when the series returned from a hiatus?… Read More

2 weeks ago

Friday Fiction: Hiding In Plain Sight (Part 1)

Some worlds have monsters. This is one of them—but they’d done a very good job… Read More

2 weeks ago