The Changeling Review – Demands Your Undivided Attention
Air Date: Friday, September 8, 2023 on Apple TV+ (Three episode premiere)
Reviewer Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
“A baby is a dream made real. But dreams are the fairies favorite meal.”
quote from fictional book To the Waters and the Wild
If you are looking for something complex, diverse, and completely perplexing to dive into, then watch “The Changeling.” You should know going in that you’ll need to pay close attention because the story flows back and forth from the past to present sporadically, and between Apollo (LaKeith Stanfield) and Emmy’s (Clark Backo) stories. Although it gets a bit involved, and some storylines leave you with a lingering question mark hanging overhead, stick with it; you will not be disappointed.
When I first learned of the series, I immediately thought of old wives tales, previous films like Changeling (2008) starring Angelina Jolie, TV shows such as “Outlander” that had an episode (Season 01, Ep. 110 “By the Pricking of My Thumbs”) which spoke of the superstition of fairies stealing babies. There is even a famous poem by William Butler Yeats, The Stolen Child, in which the series uses a line from said poem – “to the waters and the wild” – as the title of a children’s book.
No, I have not read the book, of the same name, written by Victor LaValle, who also narrates the series. Some may say that not reading the source material is a detriment, while others say it’s better to go in unbiased by the original story. Since I haven’t read the book, I’m only reviewing the series as is but I think I will go check out the book because there is one hell of a cliffhanger at the end of season one. (There better be a season two or there will be a fairy dust-up!)
Without spoiling the series, I will comment on the extraordinary performances by LaKeith Stanfield and Clark Backo. These two are absolute artisans of the craft, giving compelling and commanding performances. Apollo pursues Emmy after seeing her at the local library where she works. After several failed attempts, she finally says “yes” to a date. As seen in the trailer, she tells Apollo that she’s moving to Brazil. While there, she meets a mystic woman who offers her three wishes as she ties a red string around Emmy’s wrist. When Emmy gets back to New York City, she tells Apollo that the string mustn’t be cut – it must fall off naturally for the three wishes to come true. (Watch the trailer)
Fast forward to after Apollo cuts the string…well, I won’t spoil all of it for you. But they get married and have a baby…but that’s where the real story begins. So much happens in the first episode. When I say “so much,” I mean it…it’s a whirlwind of story arcs and plot twists that I had to pause and rewind it to make sure I got everything. This series commands your attention but it’s like finding that one piece to the 1,000 piece puzzle that you’ve nearly finished…it’s rewarding and whets your appetite for more.
There is a scene in the first episode when a very pregnant Emmy is having dinner with a friend (played by Mugga) when Apollo joins them. After Emmy goes to the ladies’ room, the friend tells Apollo a strange tale of Emmy’s time in Brazil where she met a photographer who takes allows her to take an exposed self-portrait in the forest. This is one of those puzzle piece story arcs that doesn’t get resolved until a few episodes later but when the pieces finally fit, it’s a masterpiece!
Throughout the series, you also meet Apollo’s mother, Lillian (Alexis Louder plays the young version and Adina Porter plays the present version). She’s a striking force to be reckoned with. She’s had her own trials and tribulations, including a traumatic past and failed marriage to Apollo’s father Brian (Jared Abrahamson). The story of Apollo’s childhood is woven into the present as the narrator begins to intricately tell the tale of “the God Apollo.”
As described in the synopsis, this is a “fairytale for grown-ups…a horror story…” and while there are some very scary elements, I would say it’s a more cautionary tale that leads to horrific situations. There is also a fantastical element in “The Changeling” which takes the viewer on a journey through New York City like many may never know. Of course, this is fiction, right? We all know there are underground tunnels and whatnot underneath the city; there are groups of people who live off-the-grid existences, but in “The Changeling,” you are transported through a variety of worlds – some real, some otherworldly, and some you wish you never laid eyes on.
“The Changeling,” written and adapted by showrunner and executive producer Kelly Marcel, is an intricate web of stories that intertwine more than you think. The cinematography, set designs, visual effects, wardrobe, makeup and hair, every single aspect of this series is deliberate, specific, and lends itself to making the story come to life. Again, kudos to the cast – splendid acting, superbly executed!
I will repeat myself so that the powers that be, and the brilliant writers all know – there better be a season two. Seriously, I’m not kidding. You left me desperate for more!
Tune into the first three episodes Friday, September 8, 2023. New episodes air Fridays through October 13, 2023 only on Apple TV+.
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Judy Manning
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