When it comes to horror, films tend to dominate the genre, likely because it’s easier and perhaps more palatable to take your dose of terror and tension in bite-sized chunks. There are certainly horror series that are wildly popular, like Mike Flanagan‘s collaborations with Netflix or the classic American Horror Story. But they all navigate that challenge of maintaining (high-strung or undercurrents of) tension for hours on end. So, if you’re looking for another horror series that is a masterclass in sustaining tension, then Apple TV needs to be your next stop.
Based on Victor LaVelle‘s horror fantasy novel, The Changeling is a series that tosses you into a hellish version of the labyrinthine New York City streets, where multiple storylines across generations collide. The narrative itself is mind-bending and elusive, but the show grips you tightly into its claws, creating such visceral fear that it is impossible to look away. Even if you can’t quite differentiate reality from fantasy here, you feel the intensity in your bones. This hidden gem masters the ability to keep viewers on tenterhooks and needs to be on every horror fan’s must-watch list.
What Is Apple TV’s Fantasy Horror Series ‘The Changeling’ About?
While the storytelling approach to The Changeling is multi-generational, the central storyline revolves around the seemingly average couple, Apollo (LaKeith Stanfield) and Emma (Clark Backo). We watch their meet-cute, their montage of falling in love, and the moment they realize they are going to start their own family. But there is something sinister hanging over them. On an overseas trip, Emma had met a mysterious woman who had tied a red string around her wrist and claimed that three wishes of hers would come true if the string was never cut. When Emma returns from the trip six months later, Apollo cuts said string.
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Something feels wrong. You can’t explain it — you just know. What do you do?
First instincts are the difference between the survivor and the first act casualty.
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The woman’s words start to carry more weight when Emma psychologically spirals after the birth of their son. She starts losing sleep, receiving texts that disappear (or does she?), and eventually believes the newborn isn’t human at all. Is it postpartum depression and PTSD, or is there truth to her fears? It all comes to a head one fateful evening, where an unimaginable incident occurs, and Emma disappears into the night. As such,the series follows Apollo’s fantastical and horrifying search for Emma, which is layered with traumatic stories from their childhood (including absent fathers and house fires), and of their parents’ lives.
‘The Changeling’ Is a Masterclass of Visceral Performances From Start to Finish
The Changeling‘s ability to maintain tension and audience attention is borne out of stellar performances by the cast. In the lead is Stanfield, whose eyes are as poignantly expressive as they are in his previous roles like inGet Out. From wide-eyed innocence and determination not to be like his absent father to twitching fear and rage later in the series, we are utterly trapped in the emotional depths of his eyes. Among his general acting prowess,Stanfield’s ocular talent allows the camera to indulge in plenty of close-ups, an intimate way to heighten eerie feelingsin the atmosphere. Everything Apollo feels as he caws his way through New York’s dark underbelly is immediately felt by us.
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The first season ofThe Changeling isn’t necessarily meant to be fully understood but is supposed to be felt. It only covers half of the source material, so this season establishes multiple moving parts that will be explained in a potential second season. As such,building tension and anticipation is paramount this season, becoming the epicenter of all horror felt by the audience.
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The Changeling is a completely underrated horror series that succeeds in making every scene brimming with tension, whether due to trembling anticipation or overflowing fear. Stanfield, Backo, and Porter lead us down a dark path where harsh realities are reimagined into insidious visuals causing just as much damage. Featuring scorching performances and a haunting tale, these eight episodes deserve a bigger audience and will entice you from their first eerie scenes.
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