Firstly, let's get into what a Creepypasta story actually is.
Well, you know when you find yourself on the weird side of the internet and find yourself reading a story that in your mind you're convinced cannot possibly happen but you somewhat believe it for some reason? Well that's likely a Creepypasta story.
The name is a portmanteau of Creepy and Copypasta, a term made simply from copy/paste(r). There may be another side to the story behind the Copypasta name but that's for another time.
So a Creepypasta is usually a brief story in which the author claims to be real but is rooted in horror fiction, usually with some otherworldly source, or should I say sauce? (Pasta, get it? Yeah I'll log off now).
Now I've gotten over myself and that horrible pun, I'll tell you what Channel Zero's first season Candle Cove is about:
Though vastly different to the source material, it's managed to create a whole new story based on the original premise.
Instead of just being a message board talking about a scary and weird TV show that was or maybe wasn't only in children's minds as they watched the static of their television, it's about Mike Painter (Paul Schneider), a child psychologist moving back to his childhood town 30 years after the murders of 5 kids, one of which is Mike's own twin brother.
Candle Cove (the show within the show, not the show you're watching) was airing around the same time as the murders but mysteriously stopped once they ended.
The kids that survived and grew up all remember it but never talk about it until Mike returns and it begins airing for the new children of the town.
Despite being only 6 episodes, the show begins on a high note, almost immediately bringing in a creep factor and horror that most Hollywood movies can't even bring anymore and keeps you glued to your seat in anticipation of what happens next. The tension, dread and mystery are all ramped up as the series spirals toward its uncertain yet inevitable end.
I found myself guessing (incorrectly) what was really going on and going to happen as the twists and red herrings lead you one way, only to end up in a completely different albeit still terrifying place altogether.
I'm usually good at figuring things out in TV shows too.
The end may not be what I expected it to be, nor what I personally wanted it to be, but it was still a satisfying ending that brought closure to the story.
With it being an anthology series, I guess it has to. I can imagine much of the audience being angry if it was left ambiguous.
The acting is brilliant, and you can disregard the saying "Never work with animals or children" as every child actor in this are going places. High, hopefully more creepy places in more tv shows and movies.
Thanks to this first season, I'm extremely excited for the second season, based on another Creepypasta 'The No-End House' in which there's a black house where someone enters, they possibly may never leave. For as they walk through the progressively weirder and scarier rooms to find the exit, it gets into their heads, making them see things they don't want to see.
I just hope it can bring as much dread, excitement and horror as this first season does.
It's already started over in the States, but here in the UK, I have no way to watch it unfortunately.
I'm not sure if it's shown over here on the SyFy channel, I expect it will be but I don't get it.
And it's all thanks to this first season that there's going to be 4 seasons in total (at the moment).
Season 3 will be titled 'Staircases' and season 4 'Hidden Room' both of which could be based on a number of creepypasta stories.
- Nick Antosca Interview (10:28) - The creator of the show, Nick Antosca, speaks about the different horror shows he worked on, how he got started on the show thanks to Max Landis, his love of Creepypasta and what they are, and much more.
- Deleted Scenes (03:43) - A bunch of deleted scenes that make you feel like you're watching the show within the show.
In all, this show was amazing and deserves a massive
9/10
I mean, it wasn't perfect, but it was damn close to what horror can be nowadays, especially for a TV show with only 6 episodes!
It can feel slow at times, which I know put a few people off, but if you can push through those slow, tension building moments, it'll pay off by the end and you'll be happy you chose to watch it.
My only gripe with the release itself is yet again no subtitles, for some reason many Second Sight's releases come without them.
You can pre-order the show by clicking here.
Just in time for Halloween viewing.