By Wyatt Robb
Executive Sports Editor
In need of a Netflix “diet?” The new Netflix original series “Santa Clarita Diet” will make viewers think twice about binge watching another television series.
Even though the horror-comedy show has a star-studded cast, it lacks a strong performances from many of the actors and is plagued by an uncomical script, unrealistic set design and an unoriginal plot.
The series, created by Victor Fresco, follows Sheila Hammond (Drew Barrymore) after she turns into a zombie due to a strange and unknown illness. Sheila, with the help of her husband Joel (Timothy Olyphant) and daughter Abby (Liv Hewson), attempts to blend into her suburban neighborhood, despite her intense desire to eat human flesh.
The series was released on Feb. 3 and includes 10 episodes, each running approximately 30 minutes long. “Santa Clarita Diet” was produced by Flower Films and Capital Entertainment and so far, has only been approved for one season.
View the official Netflix trailer below:
With an experienced actress like Drew Barrymore playing the lead, much is to be expected from the series. However, Barrymore continually appears devoid of emotion and uncomfortable in her role, detracting from the series. Barrymore receives no help from her supporting cast, who also appears emotionless, even in tense climactic moments, causing the show to feel one-dimensional.
The general plot of “Santa Clarita Diet” is quite unoriginal. It is obvious to the viewer that the show was created in an attempt to cash in on the current trend of shows in which the antagonist is portrayed as “good” for killing “bad guys.” This plot can be observed in other popular shows, including the four-time Emmy winner “Dexter,” but “Santa Clarita Diet” blatantly seems mundane in comparison.
View more photos from “Santa Clarita Diet” here:
The script is unfunny due to poorly-timed punchlines and cliche humor. The actors’ lines seem awkward and forced, especially in earlier episodes of the season. Throughout the series, characters are put in situations that are not pertinent to the plot, and are just for the sole purpose of allowing them to deliver funny or witty lines. This tactic simply regresses the plot and confuses the viewer.
The comedic aspect of the show is strange due to its mix of immature humor and vulgarity. Many of the jokes told by the characters seem immature and aimed toward younger audiences, leaving anyone over the age of 15 feeling uncomfortable. Despite this, the show exhibits extreme vulgarity in the form of language and sexual references for the targeted age range; this strange mix of opposing humors proves to be detrimental to the show as a whole.
The setting, based in a suburb of Santa Clarita, California, is quite disappointing. The townspeople are characterized as being intrusive and unaccepting in order to further the idea that Sheila is living a lie. Also despite being failing realtors, Sheila and Joel maintain a large home in a fairly nice neighborhood. The couple also has a two police officers as neighbors, on either side of them in fact. This deliberate alteration to the setting is done in an futile attempt to further the idea that Sheila is a “abnormal” mom in a “normal” environment.
View an additional review by the New York Times here:
Even though “Santa Clarita Diet” is categorized as “horror,” at times the amount of gore seems out of place for a show that is also meant to be comedic. In just the second episode of the series, Sheila disembowels and eats a fellow realtor at her company. The excessive use of blood prevents the average viewer from enjoying crucial moments in the series because they are simply too grotesque.
View an additional review by the Cornell Daily Sun here:
“Santa Clarita Diet” lacks in overall substance and comedy. It also does not have a target audience since it is too mature for younger viewers, but too immature for adult viewers. The series can only be streamed on Netflix.
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