The original Pretty Little Liars (PLL) aired in 2010, set in Rosewood, an affluent Pennsylvania town where young girls had money, extreme grudges, dark secrets, and older admirers for days. A group of friends, Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hannah spent over ten years stalked, blackmailed, and physically assaulted by an anonymous foe named A. The story began with them trying to solve the mystery of who killed Allison, but by the time the show ended, several A’s had been unveiled, numerous inappropriate relationships had blossomed, Allison was alive, and multiple secret siblings were revealed. I kinda hated myself for watching, but I had to push through. I was too invested. When HBO Max released Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, I told myself not to watch. But I did, and I freaking loved it.
PLL: Original Sin makes allusions to the original, but it is a far departure from it. Imogen, Tabby, Noa, Minnie, and Faren are not teen girls who are in over their heads trying to be adults. On the contrary, they behave like teenagers with teenage issues. Like the original, they are stalked by A, but this A is pretty cut and dry. This A wants vengeance for the sins and dark secrets of their mothers (new characters, unrelated from the original series). PLL: Original Sin trades the soap opera style antics of the original and goes hard on setting up a horror series complete with a stone cold slasher.
Set in Millwood, a contrast to the gated communities of Rosewood, it is a small town with a diverse community. Featuring families from diverse cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds contributing to representation needs where viewers can see themselves and relate to some of the characters. This heightens the fear factor. The danger does not just target rich girls whose parents have over the top social connections, the danger can come for anyone from anywhere.
Original Sin is a 10 episode long horror movie, created by horror fans for horror fans. Tabby, plays an aspiring filmmaker who has an extensive knowledge of the horror genre. In addition to that, the show features lots of nods to horror films that fans of the genre will recognize. Dealt with a teen pregnancy, Imogen dresses like Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby, episodes are titled “Carnival of Souls” or “The Night He Came Home.” These are just some fun tidbits that a horror fan will enjoy, but the real entertainment comes in the slasher take on the show.
A has a creepy workshop, wears a mask, keeps a corpse in their house, chases young girls through the streets, and kills people at parties, in the woods, etc. Who could it be? They might be connected to a young girl who committed suicide at the 1999 New Year’s party after she was bullied by the mothers of our protagonists. As one mother states, “girls were just meaner in the 90’s.” And that motive is perfect enough for any slasher. Original Sin features some excellent tension, violence, and cunning final girls moments.
If you have overlooked Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, look again. It’s up there with Chucky in terms of horror series. It’s a smart funny show with characters you will want to root for. If you’re looking to binge watch a series for the Halloween season, check out Original Sin, streaming on HBO Max.
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