In the very first scene, the show attempts to set the tone by telling a so-called "possession" victim that all of their tactics are simply tropes which ultimately reveal the ruse. It implies that this show has no interest in following along the conventional cliches. That this is going to be something different. Something unique. And then it proceeds to absolutely shatter what little goodwill it may have garnered in that moment. From the constant use of the pronoun game ("You're going to see *her*?" "Do you think it was *them*?") to very predictable twists and turns, Helstrom presents very little originality in its first episode.
The most egregious cliche of all however is the creative team with almost no creative talent. The dialogue and exposition are clunky and cringeworthy. The cinematography uses the exact blue filter you imagine it uses. The casting is same superficial and narrow minded work we've come to abhor from Hollywood casting directors resulting in actors who make few to no interesting choices. In fact, the whole thing feels like it's being directed not by the directors but by producers who mistook this for a Zach Snyder DC property. It's a shameful mess that deserves better.
The only redeeming factor is the intrigue provided by the connection to the source material. While this is a far cry from the Daimon Helstrom of the "Son of Satan" run and his subsequent appearances in The Defenders, the Christian mythological lore it largely draws from provides a rich landscape of storytelling opportunities in which to develop what would otherwise have been a completely obscure Marvel creation (a place where the MCU has certainly shown strength in the past). While some things, such as casting, can't be easily fixed at this time, perhaps there's some hope that over time the writing and direction will mature and begin to show some originality here and there. However, the public's faith in Hollywood is wearing dangerously thin, and there may be little hope for enough popular support to give this series much incentive to grow.