gridoon2024 Review of Roar

Roar (2022– )

Wants to be the new "Twilight Zone"; doesn't quite make it, despite some intriguing ideas, but does improve as it goes along

[6/10 · 9 July 2022]

"Roar" has the ambition of being a female-centered, modern "Twilight Zone"; it doesn't quite make it. Most of the episodes start on an intriguing idea which, however, feels stretched-out even at around 30 minutes (this is most evident in the "Woman Who Was Put On The Shelf" episode); at the same time, few episodes arrive at a complete and/or satisfying conclusion ("The Woman Who Returned Her Husband" scores highest on that front). With all that said, the series does improve as it goes along: the later episodes tend to be better than the earlier ones. Ironically, the best of the whole show - the one where the length is perfect and everything comes together - is the last one, which is also the only one without any supernatural or fantastical elements; it's "just" a traditional Western revenge tale, but what it's really about is loneliness and friendship under harsh circumstances. It also features my single favorite performance in the entire show, which doesn't come from a "big name" but from 23-year-old Kara Hayward. The chances of a 2nd season are slim-to-none (this wasn't a hit), but there are a couple of characters in there whose further adventures I wouldn't mind following. A 6.5/10 overall.