Original Sin Season 1 (Mini-Review)

Original Sin is a Pretty Little Liars spinoff. The town of Millwood hides a terrible secret. In the past a girl named Angela Waters killed herself during a Y2K party. In the present five daughters are haunted by a mysterious presence that has sworn vengeance against their mothers. The daughters must delve into their mothers' hidden pasts so they can survive. Original Sin Season 1 was released on HBO in 2022.

I liked the original Pretty Little Liars because it was bad. There were good moments but I loved it for the dumpster fire it was. Original Sin is the only spinoff, so far, that I've been interested in. I don't know why but I decided to check it out. Does Original Sin hold up to the original show? It is the same so bad it's good but there are also major differences. In Pretty Little Liars A toyed with the liars but was hardly ever physically violent. This show's A kills multiple times in the first season. There's also the fact the colors aren't as bright. Every frame tends to be dark and gloomy. The original series dealt with some dark topics but kept to a bright color pallet.

This show seems to reference movies just to reference them. There are moments where the references don't make sense. When Tabby and Imogen decide to take a road trip to Rosewood, they refer to Thelma and Louise (1991) as if it's just a fun road trip movie with suicide at the end. During another scene Faran says Climax (2018) is her favorite clubbing movie. Know how she summarizes that movie? It has great dance choreography and is French. If I had to summarize it I would have to bring up that it felt like I took LSD and had a really bad trip. I have never taken LSD but that movie made me feel like I had. If they had referenced Eden Lake (2008) they would probably have said it was a funny movie about a camping trip gone wrong.

The mystery is done well and keeps a tense atmosphere throughout. Unlike the original series, viewers get answers about who A is and what is going on. The answers make sense and are built up within the first season. The season is only ten episodes long so there's not that much filler. Which...I like filler for shows as it makes me feel like I know the characters better. But at least we get answers in case there is no season 2.

Original Sin has a big focus on sexual assault and the horrors of it. Imogen turns out to have been raped and is carrying her rapist's child. We find out who the rapist is and it feels real. The rapist is someone she knows and his evil is more subdued than it otherwise could have been. He's not some dominating presence and is instead someone you'd think was weak. He is pathetic. The terror you feel when finding out who he is is that he's not a mustache twirling villain. He's normal. Because, yeah, rapists can be people that seem kind and want only the best for you. Evil comes in all forms.

I would recommend Original Sin to fans of Pretty Little Liars. I would also recommend Original Sin to horror fans.