I’m not a gamer, but lately, I have been enjoying a variety of series based on video games, like The Last of Us and Fallout. I like that I can watch without preconceived notions, viewing the story with fresh eyes. It’s akin to someone watching a TV show based on a book or comics who hasn’t read the source material. This was the case with Twisted Metal, based on the Sony Interactive Entertainment vehicular combat video game franchise, which I decided to check out when it premiered in 2023.
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved it. The irreverent humor, the apocalyptic story, and the fun mix of violence with hilarity reminds me of shows like The Boys (though it’s not nearly as gruesome nor politically satirical). It’s fun to watch, and I went into season two hoping I’d get much of the same as the story continues. Sadly, it didn’t deliver.
Twisted Metal Season 1 Recap
In season one of the post-apocalyptic action comedy, John Doe (Anthony Mackie) is commissioned by Raven (Neve Campbell), the leader of a gated community, to retrieve a seemingly important package. Traveling through dangerous territory and meeting enemies galore, he manages to succeed with the help of Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz), a new friend and eventual romantic partner he meets along the way.
But when they return, Raven refuses to allow Quiet into the settlement as well since that wasn’t part of the deal. To prevent John from refusing the offer, Quiet shoots him so he’s taken inside for medical care. As he recovers, John enjoys the lavish lifestyle, a stark contrast to the desolate wasteland outside. But he’s also bored, feels trapped, and misses Quiet and the action he enjoyed outside of these walls.
Recognizing his desire to leave, Raven reveals her true intention. Holding him at gunpoint, she tells him he must be her driver in the massive tournament the mysterious Calypso is holding with other cities. It’s a dangerous (and deadly) race to the finish where Calypso promises to grant the winner one wish, anything they desire. Based on John’s ability to accomplish the seemingly impossible (getting that package), Raven thinks he’s just the man to win.
Meanwhile, Quiet is confronted by a group of masked women. The leader approaches saying she has been looking for Quiet, revealing that she is John’s sister.
Twisted Metal Season 2 Review
I went into Twisted Metal season two with high hopes. But it immediately became apparent that there’s a tonal shift in the show. While it still combines humor with violence, this season dials the silliness up to new heights. The show doesn’t take itself seriously, but not necessarily in a good way.
Some of the dialogue is downright cringy, as though it has been written by mashing together the most cliched phrases from every action movie ever made to create a script.
The story has deeper undertones about class divide, a theme that has been apparent through many recent shows, like The Boys, Snowpiercer, and Squid Game. But it doesn’t do an effective job communicating the intention in a way that’s impactful. The characters are one-dimensional: there’s no one you really want to get behind nor feel strongly about in any way. They just…are.
The one exception, a shining light in the season, is Mayhem, a new character played by Saylor Bell Curda, who adds a fresh take to the story as the rebellious young woman desperate for somewhere to belong. (Richard de Klerk as Mr. Grimm is also a riot to watch). Many of the other new characters, however, are sorely lacking. Vermin (Lisa Gilroy) is downright irritating, an overly exaggerated wicked witch of the west-type with no redeeming qualities who makes you feel downright uncomfortable.
Michael James Shaw fulfills his duty as a jacked-up Axel (seriously, is Shaw even human?) But the character looks and feels like he was literally lifted from the game. He’s reduced to nothing more than a driving, screaming machine. The character doesn’t get adequate time to tell his full story.
Tiana Okoye leans heavily into the feminist undertones as Dollface, but there’s a disconnect between her and Mackie that threatens the believability of their brother-sister relationship. That might be the point. They have been estranged for some time, after all, and John didn’t even remember she existed. Nonetheless, her story doesn’t develop in the way fans might hope either, leaving you unsatisfied.
Sadly, Campbell isn’t back this season, a new actor, Patty Guggenheim, taking on the role of another Raven. (Apparently there are many of them who go by this name, similar to how every Savior was Negan in The Walking Dead.) She’s less sinister and cunning, a more theatrical version of the woman we are supposed to believe is a menacing community leader. Campbell nailed the role while Guggenheim seems like a lesser, more cartoonish Millennial carbon copy.
Compared to the strong plot in season one with Thomas Haden Church as a fabulously evil villain antagonist and Sweet Tooth (Joa Seanoa, voiced by Will Arnett) as the unhinged, psychopathic clown-faced killer, this season stuffs so much parody and double entendres into the episodes that it results in a plot too weak to warrant it. Even Sweet Tooth loses his appeal thanks to an unlikely sidekick. His character is reduced to nothing more than a sad joke, window dressing in the background as others take centre stage. John Doe, meanwhile, almost seems secondary as well. Mackie is a fine actor, but this season doesn’t give him a lot with which to work.
Further, while Calypso was a mysteriously menacing, unseen presence in the first season, he’s a comical, laughable (albeit still powerful) figure this season. Played by Anthony Carrigan, he’s less terrifying than fans might have hoped, a silly Dr. Evil-like villain who was better off not being seen at all. His exaggerated maniacal laugh is intentionally over-the-top. But it makes the show even more ridiculous than it already is.
When it comes to Calypso and the entire concept of his deadly race, you can’t help but wonder how desperate the people who enter are, or at least how glaringly stupid not to realize that Calypso is never going to honour a wish without consequences. Have they never seen Aladdin, for goodness sakes? That genie was a good guy and even he couldn’t be trusted. But at least he didn’t make you risk your life to realize he was going to play with your wishful words.
On a positive note, the season does improve as it progresses with epic car chase and fight scenes interspersed with the juvenile storylines. Unfortunately, the backdrop to this is that none of the characters are given enough time to grow by the time the season comes to an end. The real shining light is the awesome soundtrack. If nothing else, you can enjoy the music, the explosions, and the smattering of fun and exciting moments between.
Should You Watch Twisted Metal Season 2?
If you liked Twisted Metal season one, season two sadly doesn’t live up to it. While there are some brighter moments and scenes that will elicit a chuckle or two, along with a few gruesome kills for those who are into that kind of thing on screen, there’s something missing.
The show is like a bad high school play that happens to have a big budget. The corny dialogue feels like it could have been written by AI. Even the most entertaining scenes are saddled with cliched lines you’ve heard a million times before. Beneath the surface, you can recognize the intention, the desire to make the show silly and campy on purpose. But it falls flat, failing to measure up to the clever and witty writing so many other shows with the same mandate have accomplished.
The season ends in a way that leaves the door open for a third. But I’m not convinced that Twisted Metal will be renewed. It’s a shame because season one got me excited, interested in the game, even. Campy can be good sometimes, and Peacock has done a great job with other shows that lean in that direction, like Mrs. Davis and Based on a True Story. But in this case, you’ll find yourself bored, even rolling your eyes as the plot progresses, contemplating your own wish for Calypso to start this season over and do it differently.
Stream Twisted Metal in Canada on Paramount+ and on Peacock in the U.S.