Locke & Key Season 1 Review: A Magical Journey Awaits

"Locke & Key" is based on a graphic novel series by Joe Hill (Stephen King's son) and Gabriel Rodriguez which ran from 2008 to 2013. The road for the show has been a rough one. Over the past ten years there have been three failed TV pilots and scraped plans for a movie trilogy as it bounced around Fox, Universal and even Hulu. In one incarnation, Miranda Otto ("Sabrina") would have played Nina. Too bad we didnt get to see that version. The story was finally adapted for NetFlix by Carlton Cruse ("Lost", "Bates Hotel"), Meredith Averill ("The Haunting Of Hill House") and Aron Eli Coleite ("Heroes")

As "Locke and Key' opens, the Locke family is struggling in the aftermath of the father's (Rendell) murder. He killed during a home invasion by one of the students (Sam). Mother (Nina) decides to move the family from Seattle to a sprawling family estate in Matheson, Massachusetts. Note: The town was named Lovecraft in the comics.

The three kids Bode, Riley and Tyler, must adjust to life at a new school and the mysterious Keyhouse. Their uncle Duncan (Aaron Ashmore) drops by on occasion. It soon becomes evident that he has no memory of his past. There's also a strange woman in a well. What's her deal? Nina dosent have a great lot to do here. She's still mourning her husband and starts drinking again. Bode (yes, that is Georgie from "It" is the first to learn about the house's keys. They include: Anywhere Key, Echo Key, Ghost Key, Head Key, Shadow Key, Mending Cabinet Key, Music Box Key, Matchstick Key, Identity Key, Mirror Key, Plant Key, and Omega Key.

I wont give the rest away. There are lots of unexpected twists and turns as the kids discover the secrets of Keyhouse and try to protect their family.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). "Locke & Key" is a fun magical ride. Fans of the comics may be disappointed in the tonal shift. Instead of horror, NetFlix went with fantasy and YA drama. Think "Sabrina" or "Stranger Things" but a bit lighter. The series also suffers from too many episodes. The 10 total could have been shaved down by a few. Overall though I still very much enjoyed "Locke & Key". The set design and special effects are beautiful. The story is novel. I liked the interactions between the siblings and their various friends. I also liked the flashbacks to teenage Rendell and his cohort. Sherri Saum (from "The Fosters") hit it out of the park as Ellie. Laysla De Oliveira is also delightfully evil as the Woman In The Well/Dodge. Will there be a season 2? If so, count me in.