The 2020 American supernatural horror and fantasy drama Locke and Key based on the comic-book series created by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez is back again with its mysterious keys, eerie secrets, and evil demons in the new season which is streaming now on popular digital platform Netflix.
Starring Darby Stanchfield, Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones, Jackson Robert Scott, Laysla De Oliveira, Petrice Jones, and Griffin Gluck the series is produced by Carlton Cuse, Meredith Averill, and Aron Eli Coleite.
With a terrific performance by the cast, the Season was bogged down by a fast pace plot making it messy at times. Eerier and spooky than its previous season yet lacking the show has left the audience with mixed feelings and higher expectations for 3rd Season.
Story
Picking it three months after the first season where everyone thought that the demon Dodge (Laysla De Oliveira) has been defeated and sent back to hell but turns out he has tricked the Locke family into thinking so and has possessed a different body. He took the form of Gabe (Griffin Gluck) who happens to be Kinsey’s boyfriend and transforms into pure evil in Kinsey’s absence (Emilia Jones). Kinsey’s rival Eden Hawkins (Hallea Jones) is also possessed by a demon which will play a key role in the series.
The evil demon in Gabe is planning to create an army of its kind. The premise of this season is as same as the previous one though the execution is different. As the series proceeds the audience comes in terms of the secrets regarding the keys and their consequence on Locke family and friends.
Season 2 also sheds light on the early days of Keyhouse and what led to the creation of the keys. Though the plot gets choppy as on one hand the viewers are presented with all the past revelations while on the other, the kids are trying to defeat Gabe (the demon) and his demon army involving the flashbacks and portal of the demon world.
Performances
Griffin Gluck has done his assignment incredibly well by delivering the performance of the most sinister version of demon Dodge. He has performed his role with utmost dedication and breathed a new life into the character. The way he had juggled with both the versions, one of a menacing demon and other of a high-school jock and Kinsey’s compassionate sweetheart was outstanding.
Hallea Jones has also executed her two-faced role remarkably well – the unlikable Eden Hawkins who is a human and the other malicious demon following Gabe. The two have perfectly balanced both – horror and comedy in the entire Season 2 giving the series a boost.
Corner Jessup and Emelia Jones have also done exceptionally well without being overshadowed by the other characters. Corner playing the character Tyler Locke is struggling with adulthood while Emelia as Kinsey Locke is entangled in her love life, torn between her boyfriend Gabe of whom she is unaware is now a demon and earnest student filmmaker Scot Cavendish played by Petrice Jones.
Jackson Robert Scott as Bode Locke has again done an amazing job by playing the joyful and hilarious youngster member of the Locke family. The trio as the stand-out arcs of the series is a delight to watch as they work together and strengthen their bond while figuring out the secret of keys and figuring out what the demons are up to.
Aaron Ashmore as Uncle Duncan Locke has also stepped up his game by playing a father figure to kids and turning himself into one of the crucial characters.
Behind the scenes
The faster pace of narrative though undermined a few of the important moments which are obvious and there are quite a few fleeting intriguing elements but the overall performance of the main cast, as well as the supporting characters, have shouldered the story extremely well.
Almost four directors Mark Tonderai, Millicent Shelton, Mairzee Almas, and Carlton Cuse have worked for this season who have done a commendable job in weaving a plot that centred more on characterization that extracted the best out of the principal actors.
Equally praiseworthy was the contribution of the music composer Torrin Borrowdale and the four cinematographers who succeeded in giving the series a richer look.
Final Verdict
Season 2 of the series Locke and Key is much scarier than Season 1. The viewers who have already read the books may find the plot messy at times but for others, Season 2 has presented the plot well – we now know all the secrets surrounding the keys and what might be the next attempt of the demons, making the audience look forward to the third season of the series.
Based on the conclusion in the second season, we expect Season 3 to bring out the best along with some new secrets getting unveiled by covering the glaring lapses that acted as spoilers in the present season.
