Apple's 'Servant' offers the cinematic thrill of M. Night Shyamalan's movies but feels too stretched to be a 10-episode season
M. Night Shyamalan first gained critical acclaim after the release of the iconic 'The Sixth Sense'. However, none of his subsequent movies did well, until the release of 'Split' in 2016. Since then, he has been having a resurgence with 'Glass' following in 2019.
Of course, when the Apple TV+ series executive produced by Shyamalan and created by Tony Basgallop was announced, fans were excited, and also a little apprehensive. Critics have already starting to review 'Servant' for which the first three episodes will be released this Thursday, on November 28th on Apple's new streaming platform.
Though there are some mixed reviews, 'Servant' remains possibly one of the best Apple originals that have released. Starring Toby Kebbell, Lauren Ambrose, Nell Tiger Free, and Rupert Grint, the series follows a couple who have lost their baby. The Turners, Sean (Kebbell) and Dorothy (Ambrose), use a "Reborn doll" on the advice of Dorothy's not-therapist. Sean doesn't seem as fond of the doll and makes it clear through his violent treatment of it when Dorothy is not around. Dorothy is happy, convinced that the doll is her baby, Jericho.
Things really take a turn for the creepy when Leanne Grayson (Free) comes to the Turners to be a nanny for Jericho. Leanne treats the doll as if it were a real baby, even in Dorothy's absence -- and this disturbs Sean. Though Sean and Leanne share many scenes, it is their silences that truly convey what they might think of each other.
Into the mix comes Julian (Grint), Dorothy's younger brother -- a loud-mouthed, entitled rich boy who seems to get off on the thrill the nanny's presence gives off. Together, Sean and Julian try to figure out who Leanne is, without hurting Dorothy more.
At the outset, 'Servant' gives a claustrophobic look at a family dealing with trauma -- both Sean and Dorothy live in different worlds. While Sean is cut off from the rest of the world, it's his conversations with Julian that give him an outside perspective.
'Servant' will be worth watching for the performances alone, and since Shyamalan has said six 10-episode seasons are planned, it may seem they have more to offer. The show often provides homages to the thrillers of yore and we even get a Hitchcockian cameo by Shyamalan in the first episode.
The first three episodes of Season 1 of 'Servant' will be released on November 28th.