The Gryphon (2023)

At face value, the German fantasy horror series The Gryphon appears to be targeting a late teens, early twenties demographic but is, I would argue, accessible to anyone. In spite of creature effects that look, at times, like men in plastic monster suits, there's a heck of a lot to like here. Firstly, the fantasy, horror back story is highly original, diverse and creative. There's Gothic horror backed by hints of Lovecraft, LOTR, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and others, with its own unique spin. The other worldly aspects of this tale are handled beautifully. The story quickly and convincingly draws you in.Characterisations are handled with equal care. Primary and secondary characters all have a measure of depth, ranging from normal, readily relatable people, through to menacing monsters with a dark agenda, that are both seen and in some cases, hidden in plain site. Acting can not be overlooked either. The cast, who range from the young to older actors, hand in excellent performances, that further help bring this series to life. I watched the majority of The Gryphon, in one sitting, having planned to do other things with my afternoon and evening, I'll confess, "mostly", did not get done. In summary, this ones a real gem. A highly original, creative, compelling watch. If you love Gothic horror with a fantasy spin, this is most definitely, for you. The series comes either with subs or its dubbed, depending on your preference.