11 Years Later, This 91%-Rated Gem Is Still the Best Gothic Horror Show No One Was Able to Outdo
Vampires and werewolves, fog creeping over the hills, stone tombstones hiding the secrets of the dead – it's all here.
The dark gothic charm of 18th and 19th century England is not limited to the beauty of ladies' gowns and neo-Gothic mansions.
The rapid development of science turned the entire way of life upside down and contributed to the development of the entertainment industry. Combined with strict moral standards, this led to the emergence of strange and creepy rules and rituals.
And there are many famous and colorful characters associated with this era – on the dark streets of London, Sherlock Holmes, Frankenstein 's monster and Dorian Gray could meet.
The authors of Penny Dreadful decided to bring together the inhabitants of the mystical British capital. But instead of a cheerful ensemble series with the participation of popular characters, they filmed a serious and dark project.
What Is Penny Dreadful About?
Famous traveler Malcolm Murray declares war on the evil spirits of London in hopes of rescuing his kidnapped daughter, Mina. A lone battle against vampires, demons, and witches is doomed to failure, and the man gathers a company of charismatic characters.
Vanessa Ives is a gifted medium; Ethan Chandler is an adventurer and a brilliant marksman; Victor Frankenstein is a pathologist and researcher who uses science to challenge death itself.
It turns out that a group of vampires is behind Mina's disappearance, who plan to use her as a vessel for a demonic creature.
Penny Dreadful Is Not Only a Fascinating Horror Show, but Also a Gripping Drama
Underneath this pretentious shell is a deep story about fighting the devil, not so much the real one, but the inner one.
Each character is tormented by dark memories and a sense of guilt. Sir Malcolm has lost more than one child, Chandler has more than one life on his conscience, and Frankenstein, of course, will have to meet the creation of his own hands. And it will not be a friendly encounter.
Vanessa Ives Is One of the Best Roles in Eva Green 's Filmography
Eva Green has a special, otherworldly energy that can attract viewers even through the screen. This feature attracted director Tim Burton, but none of their joint projects became a real breakthrough for the actress. In the end, success came from an unexpected place – Penny Dreadful, where she played the role of the mysterious Vanessa.
As events unfold, it becomes clear that this seemingly fragile woman has powerful spiritual potential – she is not only able to communicate with spirits, but also to let them enter her body.
Vanessa Ives, played by Eva Green, became a true quintessence of beauty and menace and one of the main reasons to watch Penny Dreadful.