Fallout is a successful post-apocalyptic action role-playing video game series with four main line titles and numerous spin-offs. Hollywood has a long history of turning to video games for television shows with the most recent additions of Halo, The Last of Us, and Twisted Metal. Prime Video has turned to Fallout for the latest adaptation.
The setting matches that of the video game taking place in an alternative history where nuclear war breaks out. Survivors fled to fallout shelters called Vaults to bunker down until radiation levels decreased to safe levels. 200 years later, a young girl named Lucy (Ella Purnell) leaves the safety of Vault 33 to explore outside. During her journeys she crosses paths with a mutated bounty hunter known as the Ghoul (Walton Goggins) and Maximus (Aaron Moten), a squire in a religious military faction called the Brotherhood of Steel.
Showrunners Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner create a chaotic and dark world that is in the same spirit of the source material. They effortlessly reveal lore and mythology in ways that feel organic. The writing keeps you on your toes where you never know what to expect in a good way. Above all that, are smart commentaries on utopian societies and the dangers of big business. Plus, there are many references to the video game sprinkled throughout that play a significant role or merely serve as an amusing Easter egg.
Fallout crafts an intriguing tale that skillfully weaves the journeys of its three leads whether you are familiar or new to the franchise. It’s a slow but satisfying build gradually revealing the complicated backstories and motivations of each. There is a running theme of family that brings out their humanity in this unforgiving landscape and provides much of the emotional weight in the final episodes.
Part of why you are so invested in Lucy, the Ghoul, and Maximus is because of the performances of their actors. Purnell brings an innocence and morality to Lucy, but is still someone who can hold her own. Goggins, as expected, is charismatic with a presence as the cold gunslinger. His accent works with the Western motif, and he’s as skilled comedically as he is an action star. Moten hits the sweet spot with Maximus between the other two leads. He has a level of naivety and youth similar to Lucy, but an edge and roughness because like the Ghoul, Maximus is shaped by the Wasteland. All three are flawed by likable.
The action sequences of Fallout are delightfully violent, matching what you’d expect from a video game adaptation. It’s over the top with well placed blood spatter. The use of classic songs on the soundtrack not only add another enjoyable and twisted level during shootouts, but also matches the retro futuristic world. The production value is high adding so much character from the dilapidated buildings and sets inside the Vaults to the special effects. The CGI creatures especially can be quite haunting.
Fallout season one is a no holds barred video game adaptation with warped humor, exciting action, and a surprising amount of emotional weight and social commentary.
Stream Fallout beginning later today, April 10, on Prime Video.
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