When Is Real Just a Little Too Real?

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MOVIE REVIEW
The Peripheral
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Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Year Released: 2022
Runtime: 8, ≈60m episodes
Creator/Showrunner(s): Scott B. Smith
Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Jack Reynor, Gary Carr, Eli Goree, Louis Herthum, JJ Feild, T’Nia Miller, Charlotte Riley, Alexandra Billings, Adelind Horan, Alex Hernandez, Katie Leung, Julian Moore-Cook, Melinda Page Hamilton, Chris Coy, Austin Rising
Where To Watch: Season 1 is available streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on October 21, 2022

RAVING REVIEW: With a second season already in development, this has proven to be one of the most intriguing new series this year. Intelligent, creative writing helps to move the story along in a way that will keep you on your toes.

Who would’ve thought that the girl who couldn’t listen in 2005s THE AMITYVILLE HORROR remake would end up being one of Hollywood’s most impressive actors? From LET ME IN and KICK-ASS to IF I STAY and GRETA, Chloë Grace Moretz has a proven track record of incredible films. While she’s had some previous TV credits, this is her first significant starring role, and what a role! I can’t wait to see the “future” of her character Flynne Fisher.

The entire series has a more dramatic adult MATRIX/READY PLAYER ONE feel, but beyond that aspect, it’s very much unique. Based on the 2014 novel of the same name, we get a small real-world story based on an endless “simulated” future. Jack Reynor (MIDSOMMAR, TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION) plays Moretz’s brother Burton Fisher, and I can only hope that he gets to come into his own more in the second season as I feel like there was a lot of potential left on the table in his arc so far.

I was impressed with the constant use of time as a paradox; the inability to know what’s happening and how long it's taking is an intriguing way to handle the future of “cyberspace.” Beyond the apparent risks present, the story keeps the idea of family as a key in the series. What would you be willing to risk to save yours?

So far, I’ve only been able to screen the first six episodes, so I will say that things could change in the last two episodes (and likely will to some extent.)

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