4/10/2019

NETFLIX

This superhero show based off comic books is the best fantasy show of 2019 so far.

By CRISTIN THOMAS
SNN Staff Writer

The Umbrella Academy is Netflix’s newest favorite child and, I cannot stress this enough, the best superhero show I have seen in recent years.

In October 1989, 42 women give birth, the only thing is that they weren’t pregnant when the day began. Reginald Hargreeves, a strange billionaire, seeks to adopt all of them and only gets seven of the superhuman children. Fast forward to now as they try to fight off the upcoming apocalypse while their personal lives unravel.

The series is based on Dark Horse comics of the same name and they are written by Gerard Way. Yes, that Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance. I wasn’t suspecting that my favorite show of 2019 so far would be based on a comic book written by someone I listened to when I was going through an emo phase, but I’m not mad.

The actual show is written by Jeremy Slater and I would call this show some of his best work. The way that he writes the characters and the situations in this show are so unique and it is incredible how intricately he blends all of the character’ timelines together. They have funny moments, as well as deeper, more meaningful, moments and it fleshes them out and makes them bounce off the screen. All of the characters, although superhuman, are relatable. Even the villains, who I don’t want to see parts of myself in, are real and written with care.

The acting in this show is best described as superb. The cast includes Ellen Page, Mary J. Blige, Robert Sheehan and Aidan Gallagher. I wasn’t aware of most of the cast’s work when I first started watching the show, but I’m glad that I did, because I was delightfully surprised by their ability to lead the show even though they don’t have much work under their belts.

This show was directed by a slew of people, switching directors every two episodes, but it is all beautiful direction and cinematography. The direction often creates isolation and coldness in the beginning of the show and makes the sevens’ distance from each other reach the viewer. Then later on in the show shots often become close and personal, making the viewer feel as if we’re stepping into their personal space. The way the directors work with the actors to make the characters come to life is stunning and I love that this show was given so much care when being created.

The way that the writers brought this look onto superheroes is everything that the newer X-Men failed on. This show created a quirky yet serious outlook on superheroes in the modern world and it blended them in a way that made it seem fresh and new. The Fox X-Men movies failed to create an atmosphere that drew me in.

Finally, this show is the best show that I have seen so far in the year and it is a standout accomplishment for Netflix, earning a 10/10. Next time you’re on the streaming service take some time out of your day to watch this. I promise you won’t regret it.