User Reviews

Written from a 11yo & 14yo's perspective, with a bit of my own (McGuinness' Grandma).

I chose to watch this because I really like Emily. I see a lot of comments about why she'd take this project, blah blah: Maybe SHE has tweens & teens in her life that would enjoy this? I always think about that.

The kids loved it, I didn't hate it, I was a bit gripped by the mystery and story buildup. The idea of one's own family carving them up is definitely terrifying for kids, maybe look at it from that point of view.

We disliked the "agenda" moments with the casting. Many other reviews mention this, the ticking of boxes vs reality: We are SICK OF IT. My 7yo grandkid asked me, terrified, "Will I be forced to marry..." Because it's all she sees on TV and she hates the bullies at her school, including her cousins that "fit the agenda." So I'm glad I'm not the only person who hates this sort of casting.

About the ending: It's obvious to me. Mae has complete control over her situation. She asked for wishes from the Wish Granter/Satan...built an altar and everything. It was clear that she asked for Suzanne to stay with her and push all the others out of the way. The Devil in Ohio is still there.

I see a lot of influences from old movies in this one, The Godsend {1980} among them.

So WHAT if there are "plot holes" or whatever? You liked GOT with dragons, zombies, etc. Good grief, the entire story was about devil worshippers and getting their wishes granted, like a genie. Yeah, that's a bunch of plotholes right there, dummies. Carving a pentacle in someone's back and everyone cheering...not likely. But yeah, let's talk about dumb things "that aren't likely."

It's TV. Do you believe EVERYTHING you see on TV?? Watch with the kids. They'll dig it.

Would Suzanne really give up her family to help Mae? Even without knowing all the details provided at the end by Detective Lopez? Even considering the fact that she felt the need to give Mae a hand after her own troubled childhood? From the beginning it was obvious that Mae was a difficult problem, always continually working contrary to the best of the family. Peter knew it, most others knew it, the viewers knew it. It's even very likely that not only did Mae stage the flower swap at the contest but she would have somehow not gone through with her sacrifice.

And what about Suzanne's girls? Wouldn't they be a little bit disturbed missing their mom? Also why has Suzanne not talked to her girls, don't they have phones? The story didn't say anything about a court order keeping her away from her family.

There's more. What phenomenal detective work by Lopez? He's good but all of the incredible conclusions that he worked out were a bit too tight as he called Suzanne - just as they were sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner.

A lot of promise let down by the execution unfortunately. The story could have gone down an interesting route, but it stayed largely within the standard formula of a thriller.

A lot of the storylines felt rushed and without a solid conclusion. For example what is wrong with Malachi? Why does Mae seemingly want to leave the cult? Why is Mae so manipulative and no one caught on before she pulled off her plan, especially since she was the chosen one and would have been closely watched? Where can the cult move to now that people are on high alert for them and they build new churches/complexes as part of their base?

My biggest problem is this though: Suzanne left her family for a proven manipulative stranger that her daughters and husband wouldn't even let in the same building as them by the end. Suzanne's character is all about healing past childhood trauma yet she has gone and scarred 3 young girls by abandoning them for someone they hate? Her husband also told her that he can't be around Mae and she still brings her? (In the car, but still clearly visible to her family.) Even worse, she and Mae stay in the family home while her husband and 3 kids had to live in an apartment complex? Nope, my sympathy has all but dried up for her here.

It would be interesting to see where the story goes after Suzanne realises she has been played and if her family will forgive her, but the story shown in the show was just ok for me.

This series hit a peak around episode 4, before a slow, painful, predictable decline. The climax of the finale happens early, leaving almost thirty minutes of filler. Ultimately unsatisfying and completely predictable. Pathetic, really. There's a small "twist" at the end but it's not enough for redemption, especially as it is not resolved. I suppose it's intended as a segue into a sequel, something to leave the viewer yearning for more. It fails.

Everyone lives happily ever after.

...or do they?

(Spoiler: yes.)

It honestly feels like things are brought up in this episode that weren't even hinted at before, which is a huge no-no when it comes to storytelling. The acting is terrible; Suzanne and Mae were the exceptions throughout the series, but even they fall short of this cliche-filled nonsense.