Loss is hard to deal with, but it’s even harder when an evil threat and magic is thrown into the mix. Netflix recently released an intricate drama series, Locke and Key. Based on the comic of the same name, this show tells the story of murder, supernatural keys and a house that is full of secrets.

The story begins with the murder of Rendell Locke (Bill Heck), which is the catalyst of numerous events to follow. His three kids, Tyler (Connor Jessup), Kinsey (Emilia Jones) and Bode (Jackson Robert Scott), along with their mother, Nina (Darby Stanchfield), move across the country to start over. They end up in the small town of Matheson, Massachusetts, in their ancestral estate, Keyhouse. This house is feared by many and holds secrets to be uncovered throughout the series. 

One of the most compelling parts of this show was the house and what it possesses. Bode, being the youngest of the three kids, was the most curious about different parts of the house. As he’s exploring, he hears an echo in the wellhouse of a woman’s voice telling him to find the keys. Bode follows her directions and finds one that could open the door to any place he could think of. More and more keys are obtained as the series goes on. 

The abilities of these make the show interesting. Most episodes end with the kids finding a new key and figuring out the ability it holds. This pulled me in, as it kept me wondering what they would use them for and which one they would find next.

With the keys comes a threat. Dodge (Laysla De Oliveira) is an evil being that is seeking the keys for her own devious plans. I thought this character added to the series. It was interesting to see how she fit in the story and how far she would go to get the keys. The supernatural elements included in the show made it more enjoyable, as the powers of this being and the house were revealed. 

Something that I love in a show is when an episode leaves me wanting more. Almost all parts in this series did that, as cliffhangers were implemented to leave the audience on the edge of their seats. My only complaint is that I feel like it took too long for the show to get interesting. I wasn’t fully into it until episode four. This is actually exceptionally far into the series, as it only contained 10 episodes. Once I got to this point, the plot thickened and the shocking twists began.

Another likeable part of this series was the incorporation of the kids’ lives at school. Each makes new friends and settles into the atmosphere of Matheson. These parts gave a little more reality to the show and kept it grounded. Too much fantasy and magic is hard to connect with, so seeing the three have a semi-normal childhood experience was something that I could relate to. 

Although it took awhile to get into it, the final episodes left me in shock. The ending is a complete cliffhanger that left everyone who watched desiring more episodes. This went as far as people begging for confirmation of a season two on social media. Luckily, Netflix realized how much people were loving the show and decided to renew it for another season. It’s going to be interesting to see what comes next and what crazy event is thrown at the Locke’s this time.

Overall, Locke and Key earns a “pretty good” from me. It wasn’t a top tier show, but it was interesting enough to make me want to keep watching. While the story was captivating, the acting left something to be desired for me. I think the kids did an incredible job, but the performances of the adults were questionable. This series is an enjoyable but quick binge. Hopefully, season two will elevate the plot even more and bring new twists and turns for the audience to enjoy.

3/5