Synopsis: In 2019 viewers will enter another dimension with Jordan Peele and Simon Kinberg’s modern re-imagining of the classic. CBS All Access’ THE TWILIGHT ZONE anthology series will bring the original show’s legacy of socially conscious storytelling to modern day audiences, exploring the human condition and holding a lens up to the culture of our times.
Review: Sixty years ago, Rod Serling changed the landscape of storytelling with the brilliant and timeless The Twilight Zone. In the years since, series have tried to replicate the formula of relevant topics blended with unexpected twist endings but have not come close to the original. After lackluster revivals in 1985 and 2002, it seemed like we had seen the last of The Twilight Zone until Jordan Peele released GET OUT. Now, alongside Simon Kinberg and showrunner Glen Morgan and a talented writer's room and a star studded cast that includes Ike Barinholtz, Zazie Beetz, John Cho, Chris Diamantopoulos, Lucinda Dryzek, Taissa Farmiga, Glenn Fleshler, James Frain, Betty Gabriel, Ginnifer Goodwin, Zabryna Guevara, Steve Harris, Percy Hynes-White, Damson Idris, Greg Kinnear, Luke Kirby, John Larroquette, Sanaa Lathan, Tracy Morgan, Kumail Nanjiani, Seth Rogen, Adam Scott, Rhea Seehorn, China Shavers, Marika Sila, Allison Tolman, Erica Tremblay, Jacob Tremblay, Jefferson White, Jonathan Whitesell, Jessica Williams, DeWanda Wise and Steven Yeun, they have delivered a series that honors Rod Serling's legacy and gives us a new foray into The Twilight Zone that will stand the test of time.
Having watched the first four episodes of the new series, I can say without a doubt that this is the real deal. From the production values to the musical score and Jordan Peele's opening and closing narration, this feels like an extension of the 1959 series in every way. What struck me upon first viewing, however, is that this is a show meant for 2019 audiences and not just aping the nostalgia of the classic show. Within minutes of the first episode, "The Comedian", the characters speak dialogue with profanity, something you would never have heard on the original series. For a split second, I was disappointed that this was not a carbon copy meant to look and feel like a retro reboot. I stuck with it and by the episode's end, I was hooked. What Peele and Kinberg have shepherded to your screens is the essence of Serling's formula but mixed with 21st century ingredients
The stories are also very familiar but never come close to being true remakes of classic episodes. The series' second entry, "Nightmare at 30,000 Feet" echoes the famous story that starred William Shatner on TV and John Lithgow on the big screen, but the Adam Scott-led tale completely reinvents a story of paranoia and fear for contemporary audiences. And that is consistent with everything this new show has promised. From career ambition to technological advancements, this Twilight Zone takes the everyday and expected and turns them on their side and looks at them through a cracked lens. The stories never try to be scary just to be scary as that terror is a byproduct of good writing. The stories balance on that fine line without falling into self-parody. This is not Tales from the Crypt, after all. Yes, these episodes have humor but you are not laughing at the production but only what the creators intended for you to laugh at.
Each episode also makes use of the talent on screen in ways you would not expect. The original run of Serling's series benefited from actors who were either on the rise or well recognized by audiences which helped viewers delve into these bizarre stories thanks to very strong performances. With the all-star actors mentioned above, this Twilight Zone had the potential to collapse under it's own weight. Luckily, these are all actors who understand the legacy of this franchise and do right by it. Playing to their strengths, the filmmakers helming these stories take talented comedic actors and give them dramatic opportunities thast they nail. It also gives recognizable faces like Tracy Morgan enviable roles that will stick with you long after the credits roll.
And boy does this Twilight Zone stick with you. The stories all have that gutpunch of an ending that you think you have figured out and they go in a different direction than you thought. Having seen all 156 episodes of the classic show, I thought I couldn't be surprised any more, but this show has managed to keep me on my toes and keen to dissect every story. Plus, while each episode is a standalone story, they share unexpected connections to each other. I won't spoil how, but I encourage you to scan each episode's background and you will see callbacks to other stories in this universe. It is an interesting way to show that this tales are existing in the same fictional dimension and adds a nice twist that keeps this iteration of The Twilight Zone it's own entity.
If there is anything negative I have to say about The Twilight Zone, it is that the show is not available as a binge release. CBS All Access uses a traditional schedule to premiere episodes on a weekly basis which means we all have a full week to reflect and analyze each episode before the next one airs. But with a first season consisting of only ten episodes, Jordan Peele and his team are going to have us all drooling with anticipation for a second season. This take on The Twilight Zone is nothing short of masterful and Rod Serling would be proud. Everything about this show is excellent and will make you question your reality in a way that only a rare piece of entertainment can. This is the series that is going to go down as one of the best of all time right alongside it's namesake.
The first two episodes of The Twilight Zone premiere April 1st on CBS All Acces..
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