by Mike Hilty, Contributing Writer
Video game adaptations are having a great 2023. The Last of Us is a critically acclaimed TV show and The Super Mario Bros. Movie is one of the highest-grossing movies of the year. The question now is, what else is out there in terms of video game adaptions that can help continue the momentum for the rest of the year? I’m happy to say that Twisted Metal is among one of my favorite shows for 2023, and one of the better video game adaptions out there right now. For a game that doesn’t have a plot beyond cars shooting one another, I’m surprised the series manages to crush it with a great story and characters.
Twisted Metal follows John Doe (Anthony Mackie), a milkman on a mission to get a package from Chicago back to San Francisco. The problem is, the U.S. has been ravaged by a computer virus that has turned everything into a wasteland devoid of humanity. Cars are of paramount importance, as they serve as not just a transportation vessel, but a lifeline to a better life. Along the way, John encounters a colorful cast of characters that threaten his mission with a huge prize if he can complete the run before time runs out.
Mackie is the star of the show, and it’s about time he gets more opportunities to lead something outside the MCU. He’s charming and funny, and his comedic timing is stellar. John is shrouded in mystery. We don’t know anything about him at first, besides that he’s a milkman and likes to run his mouth. As the series progresses and we learn more about him, I find myself rooting for John to be successful. Through and through, Mackie manages a wide array of different styles that make John a well-rounded character.
John Doe is paired with a drifter named Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz) for most of the series. At first, I found myself struggling to separate Beatriz’s performance in Brooklyn Nine-Nine with what she’s done recently to shed that persona. Thankfully, like Mackie, she is given so much to do that showcases her range as a performer. She can hold her own comedically with everyone, can go toe to toe in the action scenes, and can heap the emotion. Most importantly, her chemistry with Mackie feels organic and strong. It never feels forced, and they let their companionship flourish naturally, instead of forcing it.
These relationships make Twisted Metal special. In the absence of civilization, the friendships and allies that are forged throughout Season One help elevate the heart that the show is oozing with. Quiet’s relationship with her brother provides a beautiful montage of the consequences of a fractured relationship, and a cautionary tale about the hurt that comes when you end up alone after relying on someone else. The strongest relationship, though, throughout the series is John’s relationship with his car Evelyn. I did not plan to get super emotional watching their evolution together, but that’s what makes Twisted Metal such a great show. It got me to care about the relationship a guy has with a car, which is no easy task.
The true scene-stealer of Twisted Metal, similar to the game, is Sweet Tooth. Joe Seanoa’s physical performance is blended with Will Arnett’s vocal performance to create an amalgam that is off-the-charts great. If you didn’t know the character was played in two different parts, most people would assume it was the same person doing both roles. In addition, Sweet Tooth is a scene-stealing character that is used in the perfect amount. He doesn’t show up in every episode, but the story we get with him shows us how he became who is he today.
The world building is spectacular for a first season. I was a little worried because the scope of the show is the entire U.S. The pockets of people we find throughout the journey are unique and make for compelling allies for John and Quiet. There’s a group of semi trucks that band together to form a unit, led by Miranda Watts (Jamie Neumann). The semi trucks are so creatively used that I couldn’t help but smile during the episode that showcases them. There’s an episode dedicated to a safe haven for all milkmen. Learning about the rules of the milkmen, and how their group works, helps give context to the group John is a part of. Not all the groups are given enough time to develop, though. The religious fanatics led by Preacher (Jason Mantzoukas) don’t get any development besides showing their zealots who feel their divinity means they are invincible to everything.
If you are a fan of the game, there are a ton of Easter eggs if you pay attention close enough. Almost all of the characters, except for Quiet, show up in the video game series at some point. Even the cars are big deals in the series and the games. All of this culminates with an outstanding sequence in the final episode that will melt the hearts of fans. I watched it with my jaw dropped at how much I loved it. The setup for what’s next also is an outstanding addition to the series, and it will hopefully pay off with a series renewal that will give us an epic Season Two.
There are only two nitpicky issues I have with Twisted Metal. The main villain, Agent Stone (Thomas Haden Church), feels a little generic at times. He also is nearly bullet/plot proof, and survives almost everything he gets into. Also, as a fan of the game, some choices for characterization confused, though I have hope that they will be rectified for Season Two. For instance, I’m a little confused about the choice they made with Calypso. He doesn’t come into play until the end of the series, but more setup would have helped non fans show how significant of a character he is to the series.
Twisted Metal is the most fun I’ve had watching TV in a long time. It has a shocking amount of heart, and the action is outstanding. Mackie is at the top of a great cast, and his chemistry with Beatriz is truly amazing. I’m really surprised at how much I like this show, so much so that it recently ended up in my top 10 of 2023. It’s also another win for video game adaptions and Peacock, who is having a shockingly great year. Twisted Metal is a must-watch for 2023, and could develop into the hit show that will cause someone to subscribe to Peacock at some point down the road.
Rating: Loved It
Twisted Metal is currently streaming on Peacock
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