TV Series Review: 'The Devil In Ohio'- Business as Usual From Netflix

Picture Source: Stock Catalog

It seems to be business as usual over at Netflix with the release of their newest original series – The Devil in Ohio. Very few Netflix Originals have been noteworthy, and most have served as ‘background noise’ to household chores.

The Devil in Ohio is an eight-episode limited series based on Daria Poltain’s 2017 novel, inspired by a true story. The show casts Bones star Emily Deschanel as Suzanne, a psychiatrist that welcomes patient Mae (Madeline Arthur) into her family home when the system cannot place her in a suitable foster home following a traumatic episode.

‘The Devil In Ohio’ star, Emily Deschanel at Comic Con. Picture Source: Genevieve

During the series' opening scene, we meet a crying Mae, who looks like a waifish fallen angel, running through tall grass and onto the road. Holding a blood-covered knife, she tries but fails to flag down passing cars. When she later wakes up in the hospital, it’s discovered that she has an upside-down pentagon carved into her back. Teenage girl escapes a satanic cult – standard Netflix horror formula.

The show feels undecided about whether it’s a deep dive into the dark world of religion, satanic rituals and cults or if it’s another cliché teen drama. The series has a lot of potential, and Mae’s strange behaviour creates moments of real uneasiness and dread. Is she just a traumatised teenager, or is there a darker truth to be uncovered?

The premise of this story is intriguing, which could be interesting, but its cliché moments mean it falls short of what could have been a stand-out series. The most interesting storyline is the relationship between Mae and Suzanne, who was also abused in childhood. The ending, however, is a strong round-off. It is wonderfully ambiguous but not vague enough to leave you confused.

This one isn’t bad for a rainy-day watch and is enough to make you set down the chores and pay attention, but it also isn’t a break-out Netflix original either and is unfortunately very forgettable. -★★★☆☆