Evil: Deep, Smart and Unsettling Spiritual Horror

One of these shows, that just came out of nowhere, it seems, is Evil.

Maxim Trevelyan
Writer, Ravenclaw

Fall TV season brings with it a lot of old shows returning with new seasons and many more new shows beginning their first. I use fall and winter to mostly catch up on my old shows that I somehow did not manage to watch during the year or eagerly await new seasons, such as with Madam Secretary, South Park, The Blacklist and others. However, from time to time a new show surprises me and has me hooked all through its first season.

One of these shows, that just came out of nowhere, it seems, is Evil. In this show, a very skeptical forensic psychologist, dr. Kristen Bouchard, comes together with a journalist-turned-priest in training, David Acosta, and an even more skeptical tech contractor, Ben Shakir, to investigate the backlog of more than 500,000 recorded demonic possessions and miracles and to determine whether they are real or have root in science and medicine.

I have a soft spot for horror and fantasy that have sources and inspiration in religion, especially TV shows and movies, such as certain Dan Brown books, Lucifer, Constantine, and others, so from the very beginning when I heard about the show, I decided to give it a chance.

Evil is an interesting mix of several genres and show types. Overall, we have the theme of horror and the supernatural, with demonic possessions and presence, exorcisms, jumpscares and odd behavior from the affected. Then we have a mix of legal drama, when Bouchard has appearances in court, and crime procedural, since the team also investigates the source of the supposed possessions and miracles. Since the nature of the investigations also affect characters’ personal lives, Evil also involves a little family drama. Despite this mixture, the show never feels unfocused, like it does not know what it wants to be about. Evil takes all its genres and dedicates them enough time so the storylines do not feel rushed or forgotten about.

This show does not beat you over the head with either pro- or anti-religious sentiments and I appreciate that a lot. Not a lot of shows that deal with religion and questions surrounding it stay respectful to both sides. The show presents good arguments from both sides and delves into deep philosophical questions that never become boring, but rather gives you something to think about. That ties in with a wonderful “monster-of-the-week” and a season-long story arc that do not overstay their welcome and out comes Evil.

I encourage you to give the show a try, whatever your thoughts on the subject might be. You will not regret it!