Review: ‘Shadow and Bone’
Shadow and Bone is a well-directed, perfectly acted, smart and thrilling exploration of identity, grief and class politics that will leave viewers firmly on the edge of their seats. The next great fantasy show has arrived.
YA adaptations were once all the rage. From Harry Potter to Twilight to The Hunger Games, these books have all managed to launch multi-billion franchises that are still celebrated to this day. Since then, however, no others have managed to capture audiences’ collective attention and enthusiasm the way those three did, and not for a lack of trying. From Divergent and The Maze Runner to Shadowhunters and most recently, Chaos Walking, studios have relentlessly attempted to recreate the success of those earlier properties to no avail. Shadow and Bone, Netflix’s latest series debuting on April 23, may be the one to finally break that curse.
Based on Leigh Bardugo‘s worldwide bestselling Grishaverse novels, Shadow and Bone is set in a war-torn world where lowly soldier and orphan Alina Starkov has just unleashed an extraordinary power that could be the key to setting her country free. With the monstrous threat of the Shadow Fold looming, Alina is torn from everything she knows to train as part of an elite army of magical soldiers known as Grisha. But as she struggles to hone her power, she finds that allies and enemies can be one and the same and that nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. There are dangerous forces at play, including a crew of charismatic criminals, and it will take more than magic to survive.
Shadow and Bone manages to capture the audience’s attention right from the start, with an immaculately-paced first episode that invites viewers into the land of Ravka and introduces them to the show’s line-up of interesting, eclectic characters in a way that never feels forced or shoehorned. With impressive production value and a dark, mature tone, director Lee Toland Krieger also manages to distinguish the show from its contemporaries, resulting in a sophisticated, intelligent and enthralling experience that will leave viewers firmly on the edge of their seats, anxiously awaiting what happens next. Aided by gorgeous cinematography and well-directed action scenes that manage to expertly toe the line between intense and brutal without delving into gratuity, Shadow and Bone is also a visual feast that will appeal to audiences from a number of different demographics as well.
Shadow and Bone’s crown jewel, however, is its casting. The team behind the show have managed to assemble a perfect set of actors, all who manage to deliver fantastic performances that elevate the show, differentiating it from other recent YA adaptations in the process. Jessie Mei Li is absolutely sublime as Alina, establishing a warm, fiery and determined presence right from her first scene and ensuring that audiences will be able to connect with her plight in the process. Archie Renaux cuts a charming and likeable figure as Alina’s childhood best friend Mal, but he also manages to imbue his character with a searing, soulful intensity and a melancholic sense of determination as the series – and his story – progresses.
Ben Barnes, long fancast as The Darkling by fans of the book series, is also perfectly cast here, casting an intense, haunting shadow over the rest of the show’s proceedings. Freddy Carter, Amita Suman and Kit Young are an absolute delight as Kaz Brekker, Inej Ghafa and Jesper Fahey respectively, bringing some much needed wit and levity to the show’s otherwise thoughtful and deeply engaging nature. They practically light up the screen whenever they appear, thanks to their rambunctious dynamic and undeniable chemistry. Calahan Skogman, playing Fjerdan soldier and Grisha hunter Matthias, is criminally underused, only appearing in a handful of scenes throughout the show’s eight episodes, but he still manages to leave an impression with a charismatic, initially intimidating performance that leaves traces of something much more somber and introspective to come for his character in possible future seasons.
Shadow and Bone does unfortunately suffer its fair share of flaws; its oftentimes frenetic pacing will leave viewers with a case of tonal whiplash as the series rapidly moves from area to area, character to character without giving them – or the audience – much room to breathe, or process some of the latest developments. One can’t help but imagine how greatly the show would have benefited from a longer episode order to fully flesh out its interesting narratives and characters. Nonetheless, Shadow and Bone is overall a well-directed, perfectly acted, smart and thrilling exploration of identity, grief and class politics that will leave viewers firmly on the edge of their seats. The next great fantasy show has arrived.
Rating: 4/5
Shadow and Bone will debut on Netflix on April 23, 2021.