With the critical acclaim of The Last of Us and the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, video game adaptations seem to be the current big thing in Hollywood. For people who used to game in in the 90s and 00s, Twisted Metal is a franchise from memory lane that featured a violent demolition derby type gameplay. It also happens to inspire a new show on Peacock.
Twisted Metal the television series receives significant changes in order to better fit long form storytelling. In a post-apocalyptic world where major cities are heavily fortified, milkmen serve as the main source of commerce as they hit the roads and make the deliveries between metropolitan areas.
John Doe (Anthony Mackie) is one of the best and he is tasked with picking up a special package in Chicago and delivering it under a tight deadline to the leader of San Francisco, Raven (Neve Campbell), in order to receive entry and citizenship of her city. Along the way, John crosses paths with a car thief named Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz) and they soon find themselves relying on each other to survive.
Twisted Metal knows what kind of series it is and for the most part, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The title of each episode is a play on personalized license plates going along with the whole souped-up vehicles and road trip themes. There is also a perverse humor throughout the season the complements the dark world of the series.
You feel Mackie is having a good time in the lead role playing up the campiness and over-the-top nature. He is paired with an as charming costar in Beatriz as their characters evolve from can’t stand each other to a formidable and close duo during their journey. Beatriz’s Quiet has the more compelling story diving into her tragic origins and how that shaped her in this unforgiving landscape.
Twisted Metal’s other characters are even more colorful. There is the unpredictable nature of the franchise’s iconic character Sweet Tooth, played by pro wrestler Samoa Joe and voiced by Will Arnett. The hulking clown masked brute is so unpredictable changing from seemingly pleasant and level headed to a full-on frightening sociopath. The music from his signature ice cream truck is so haunting.
One of the more interesting characters is Stu. He’s a normal guy caught up in all the craziness, and though he is played more for comic relief, he has an engaging friendship with his colleague Mike that goes through ups and downs.
The world is fun, imaginative, and lives up to its moniker. From the different cannibals to the variety of roving gangs to its sick commentary on class separation, it all makes for enjoyable viewing. In addition, there are plenty of references and Easter eggs from the entire video game franchise that fans will enjoy.
Twisted Metal does fall short in certain areas. For all the mystery surrounding John Doe’s past and a focus on his amnesia, we barely touch the surface of his backstory. It’s not until the latter half of the season that we receive some answers, but it all seems purposeful. The series is building to something more with John Doe and towards something more familiar for a second season with those who played the source material.
In addition, the show seemed to hold back on the production value. Other than the finale, it is lean on spectacle, which you don’t expect from the franchise. Though they make the most out of their backgrounds and props, there is a constrained bottle feel to the scenes. Combine that with the half hour episode run time, there is the sense that there was a tight budget. It’s not all bad because it switches the focus to developing the characters and the relationships.
Twisted Metal is a fun romp in a warped world with a colorful cast of characters. If you don’t take it too seriously, you’ll be in for an exciting ride.
The first season of Twisted Metal drops on Thursday, July 27, on Peacock.
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