The magical world of Locke & Key (Review - Netflix Premiere February 7)

Locke & Key on Netflix is the long awaited television adaptation of the best-selling comic book series by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez for IDW Comics.

It’s hard to go wrong when it comes to a story of magic and family. Even more so when there’s a rich history of comics to draw from. Netflix Original, Locke & Key stars Darby Stanchfield as Nina Locke who moves back to her late husband’s family home with children – Jackson Robert Scott (little Georgie from It) as Bode Locke, Connor Jessup as Tyler Locke, Emilia Jones as Kinsey Locke.

A tight knit group, their journey of healing quickly turns into a quest of mystery as the old family estate reveals secret keys that call out to the children. It’s great to see Darby sink her teeth into another meeting role since Scandal went off air. Nina’s character didn’t really kick in until she fell off the wagon and was continually upstaged by her children / co-stars.

Inquisitive Bode, the youngest of the pack instigates the quest and initially becomes the keepers of these magical keys that call out to him and his siblings through eery whispers and chants that only they can hear. Each key reveals a special power when inserted into a door or a person. From changing one’s appearance, to transporting anywhere in the world, going into someone’s memories, mind control and more!

It’s got the closeness of Lost in Space, the dynamics of Umbrella Academy with a bit of Riverdale realism verberating through as the two older siblings adjust to a new high school while discovering and manging their new powers.

Connor Jessup plays the complex emotion of the normally extroverted Tyler who for most of the season believes that he is the reason his father was murdered. Emilia Jones takes us on a journey of Kinsey’s hestitation into one of self discovery and assertion as she adjusts to the pecking order of high school. Two strong characters brought to life with commanding performances balancing out the curious younger brother.

The writers need to find more for Aaron Ashmore‘s Uncle Duncan to do as he was a little more than a glorified extra this season with hints to his personal life back in Boston. It also really never explained why he stuck his middle finger up at the mansion at the beginning of the season when leaving when he has no memory of anything important after it’s revealed Rendell and his key squad wiped his memory!

Laysla De Oliveira plays the devious demon, Dodge, quite well. It’s unclear for most of the season why she is after the keys. The mysterious return of Rendell’s old friend, Lucas also adds to the puzzle who is also determined to get his hands on the keys.

Major plot twist though was the gender bender revelation of this man and woman being the same person! Manipulating a whole bunch of people around them to open the Omega door, we’re unsure what this mystic light of blue is all about and are left with so many questions in the finale!!! Season 2 just can’t come quick enough!!!!

Watch the first scene here:

Why we love the cast:

It’s quite an ensemble they’ve brought together into the Locke family. Here are some of our fave moments pre-Key….

Darby Stanchfield can take a slap, so playing the artsy carefree mom is a walk in the park, especially with that cool episode with Nina Locke falling off the wagon and having fun with the magic wardrobe!

No one pulls the heartstrings more than Aaron Ashmore, and mentioning Brian Rogan could mean an appearance in Season 2? Writers, explore that please, there’s a repertoire in Ashmore’s acting chops just waiting to be utilised. There’s also a whole backstory Duncan has to the seemingly hidden past Rendell kept from his wife and children which needs explaining.

From middle child in Falling Skies to older Locke sibling, Connor Jessup‘s work playing action and coming of age characters in different genres leaves so much possibility for Tyler. Now, if you’re familiar with the comic book series, Netflix is playing out creative liberties bringing a much more family friendly and less gruesome story. The character of Tyler was much darker in the comic book version and there was actually a second attacker when Rendell was killed who doesn’t seem to exist in this version. How Tyler plays out in the Netflix adaptation could be quite exciting considering we know what Jessup can do.