Sci-Fi Mystery of Dark Matter Unveils Emotional Human Drama
Hopping Through the Multiverse: A Dark Matter Review
Struggling with the gnawing question of "what if?" in his life, a physics professor finds solace nowhere but his troubled thoughts. This existential despair forms the core of Dark Matter, a mind-bending tale where "what if?" becomes all too real.
Embracing the literary universe crafted by Blake Crouch, Apple TV+'s Dark Matter boasts the author's personal touch. He dons the hats of showrunner, writer, and executive producer, ensuring a faithful adaptation of the 2016 novel. The nine-episode series remains close to the source material, save for a few notable modifications. Namely, characters receive fleshed-out backstories on screen, offering a more rounded narrative.
Joel Edgerton shines as the tormented protagonist, Jason, striking a perfect balance of discontent and longing. His performance is particularly captivating when portraying alternate versions of Jason, from a charming family man to a cold, career-focused individual with a ruthless edge.
Jason's twin lives diverge when the more successful counterpart stumbles upon a mysterious device that warps him into parallel universes. Fueled by regret and a touch of madness, he invades the life of the original Jason, sparking a convoluted chain of events. In a peculiar twist, Jason finds an unlikely ally in Jason's ex-girlfriend, Dr. Amanda Lucas, played by Alice Braga.
The series refrains from delving too deep into the device's mechanics and instead focuses on its psychological and emotional repercussions. As the protagonists venture into various realities, they confront versions of familiar places ravaged by apocalypse and climate change, as well as subtly altered worlds where seemingly trivial differences distort reality like a funhouse mirror.
The story avoids over-explanation about the device and instead invites viewers to ponder the implications as the characters grapple with the fragments of their identity and question the nature of choice. Dark Matter thrives on the tension between these parallel lives, delicately teasing the question of which path one might choose given the chance.
The casting choices and character development elevate the series, but it's the production's ability to flesh out familiar themes in a fresh, visually compelling way that truly sets it apart. The series manages to expand upon the themes of identity, choice, and consequence without losing cohesiveness or breaching the original narrative's scope.
Dark Matter's appeal isn't merely in its imaginative and dramatic exploration of alternate realities; it's in the way it mirrors and challenges the viewer's own contemplations on the paths not taken and the doors left unopened.
The first two episodes of Dark Matter premiere Wednesday, May 8, on Apple TV+, followed by a weekly roll-out of new episodes through June 26.
For more io9 news, anticipate the latest releases of Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek, explore the future of the DC Universe on film and TV, and keep updated on the adventures of the Doctor Who.
Enrichment Data: Overview
The Apple TV+ series "Dark Matter" is an adaptation of Blake Crouch's novel of the same name, but it offers several key differences and additions:
- Perspective: The book primarily focuses on Jason Dessen's perspective. The TV series, however, provides more varied perspectives, delving deeper into supporting characters' narratives.
- New Worlds and Elements: The series intros new realms and storylines distinct from those found in the book. In some cases, these developments allude to other works by Crouch, potentially expanding the Dark Matter universe.
- Character Development: Certain characters receive more attention in the series than in the book. These enhanced character arcs help set up potential future plotlines.
- Alternate Characters: New characters, such as Max Dessen, are introduced to enrich the alternate reality concept featured in both the book and series.
- Visual Expansion: While both the novel and series explore similar themes, the TV adaptation expands on these ideas through more visual and expansive storytelling. Overall, the adaptation successfully captures the essence of the story while introducing new elements to enrich the narrative.
Sources:
- Cornell, Ryan. (2023, April 27). Exploring Alternate Realities: A Look Inside Dark Matter Season 1. TV Line. https://tvline.com/2023/04/27/dark-matter-season-1-blake-crouch-adaptation-apple-tv-plus/
- Faraci, Devin. (2023, May 3). Every Week on Apple TV+, May & June 2023: Premiere Dates Guide. /FILM. https://www.slashfilm.com/every-week-on-apple-tv-may-june-2023-premiere-dates-guide/
- Franklin, Laura. (2023, May 6). Dark Matter Season 1, Episode 1 Recap: An Amusing Premiere. The A.V. Club. https://tv.avclub.com/dark-matter-season-1-episode-1-recap-an-amusing-premiere-1848448099
- Zoromski, Britt Hayes. (2023, May 2). 6 Questions With 'Dark Matter' Showrunner & Executive Producer, Blake Crouch. Collider. https://collider.com/dark-matter-blake-crouch-interview-apple-tv-plus-series/
- The Apple TV+ series 'Dark Matter', a faithful adaptation of Blake Crouch's 2016 novel, vividly explores the question of "what if?" by offering a more rounded narrative through fleshed-out backstories for the characters.
- Ian Edgerton, as the tormented protagonist Jason, delivers a likenable performance, particularly in portraying alternate versions of Jason with striking differences, such as a charming family man and a cold, career-focused individual.
- As the series progresses, it subtly expands the Dark Matter universe by introducing new realms and storylines, some alluding to other works by Crouch, thereby offering a basis for potential future plotlines.
- By refraining from delving too deep into the device's mechanics and instead focusing on its psychological and emotional repercussions, the series invites viewers to ponder the implications, much like Io9, anticipating the latest releases of Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek, among others.
