Episode 101 “My So-Called Death”, Pictured, L-R: Xavier Baxter (Spencer McPherson), Maddie Nears (Peyton List), Rhonda (Sarah Yarkin), Claire Zolinski (Rainbow Wedell), Wally Clark (Milo Manheim), Charley (Nick Pugliese), Simon Elroy (Kristian Flores) and Nicole Herrera (Kiara Pichardo) in SCHOOL SPIRITS on PARAMOUNT+. Photo Credit: Ed Araquel/Paramount+. ©2022 Paramount Global, INC. All Rights Reserved.
Paramount+ brings us their adaptation of the upcoming graphic novel. But is the show full of life or dead on arrival?
The market for Young Adult TV shows is scorching right now. And Paramount+ is leading the way. Their adaptation of the upcoming graphic novel, School Spirits, has hit the service. Starring Peyton List, the series follows her character of Maddie. Maddie is first seen attending a school assembly regarding a missing teenager. The only problem is, Maddie is the one who is missing. And is dead. She is stuck in her own high school in the afterlife as she comes to terms with her death, and her desire to find out who killed her and why.
Now, before we get too involved in this review, I have to tell you that I have only seen the show’s first three episodes. But these episodes that I was graciously given to view go some way in setting up the eight-episode season. We are introduced to the characters that we will follow along the way, the storyline is presented to us to follow, and we join in Maddie’s investigation into her death. The question is though, is the show full of life, or is it dead on arrival?
THOUGHTS
The answer lies somewhere in between for me. While it is an enjoyable show and is well-acted, it has yet to grip me as it should. Perhaps it’s a case of being aimed at young adults instead of more ‘mature’ adults like myself. While I found myself enjoying what I was watching and what the show has to offer, it left me with a slight feeling of emptiness. And that is a shame as the show has so much going for it. Peyton List (who also produces) is wonderful as Maddie. Kristian Flores as Simon is incredible. And an intriguing, understated performance from Sarah Yarkin as Rhonda gives the show some much-needed gravitas. But I can’t put my finger on it, it just feels like something is missing.
Don’t get me wrong, the mystery behind Maddie’s death and disappearance has enough going for it to keep everyone invested in the show. The clues and the red herrings come thick and fast. As does the interaction between Maddie and Simon, and Maddie and the members of the Spirit High Purgatory club. The show also features some lightheartedness along the way. Some of it recalls memories of the 1990 film Ghost at times. Maybe that’s what my problem with the show is. A feeling of Deja Vu. You will know what I mean when you see it.
THE FIRST THREE EPISODES
As I said, I have seen the first three episodes of the series. BEWARE, there are mild spoilers ahead:
EP 101: PILOT “MY SO-CALLED DEATH”
As Maddie begins to accept her place in the Split River High purgatory, she becomes determined to solve the mystery of her disappearance. While observing those she left behind Maddie struggles to accept that not all of her closest friends and family were as honest and loyal as she once thought.
EP 102: “THE FAULT IN OUR SCARS”
After meeting resistance and escalating obstruction in the ghost world, a driven Maddie reconnects with Simon and recruits him to unravel the events surrounding her death, only to discover someone other than Xavier and Claire may have been involved.
EP 103: “DEAD AND CONFUSED”
When Mr. Anderson is suspected of being possibly involved in Maddie’s death, Maddie’s forced to reveal more about the depth of that relationship —leading to her and Simon’s first clash as co-investigators and, in the end, forcing Maddie to break down her walls.
ABOUT THE SHOW
SCHOOL SPIRITS focuses on a teen stuck in the afterlife who decides to investigate her mysterious disappearance alongside a group of other students who are also stuck in limbo at their high school. The graphic novel is planned for publication in fall 2023 by Clarion Books/HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins Children’s Books.
The series was created by Nate Trinrud and Megan Trinrud, who also co-wrote the series premiere. Oliver Goldstick (“Pretty Little Liars,” “Bridgerton”) serves as showrunner with Max Winkler (“Cruel Summer,” “Jungleland”) directing the first two episodes. Goldstick, Nate Trinrud, Megan Trinrud, and Winkler serve as executive producers.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The show has enough going for it, enough legs to sustain it for the remainder of the season. There is enough to like and enjoy during each of the 45-minute-long episodes to keep the audience invested. It will certainly attract plenty of attention, as it deserves. But while the YA audience will lap it up, older viewers may find it out of their comfort zone. I must emphasize it is for YOUNG ADULTS. It isn’t suitable for younger viewers or the whole family. While much of the episodes are distinctly PG-13, the strong language isn’t, tipping the show slightly into R-Rated territory.
There are no scary images, violence, or nastiness involved. Much of what the show contains is pretty tame, with the exception of a few shots of bare male buttocks. It’s mostly done through inferring, rather than showing. And that is to the show’s advantage, in many ways. But the language means that many parents will rule out their children from watching it. The show also tackles issues such as bullying, homosexuality, alcoholism, and the aftermath of death. With these, the show does extremely well. It will certainly appeal to the masses. But the full enjoyment, like the answer to the mystery of Maddie’s death, lies frustratingly just out of reach. But without a doubt, it is a good start to what promises to be something that will become a TV staple for a few years to come.
School Spirits is now available to stream exclusively on Paramount Plus.
Author
Carl Roberts is the News Editor of The Future of the Force. Aside from being our horror genre aficionado, he is also passionate about Star Wars, Marvel, DC, and the Indiana Jones movies. Follow him on Twitter where he uses the force frequently!
