Our talented young critic Max Driver takes a look at brand new series The Unreal, screening Sunday nights on RTÉ One, and you can stream the series now on RTÉ Player.
Ever wondered what would happen if an unhinged Bosco showed up on the set of A Cabin in the Woods? The Unreal is a show set deep in an Irish forest about a mythical Irish creature, The Pooka. When sitting down to watch this four episode series, I was expecting something of a fantastical, other-worldly show. Not being a huge fan of that genre, I was pleasantly surprised when the main character and his family were genuinely relatable, making it an extra enjoyable watch. This spooky, coming-of-age comedy is perfect for fans of Gremlins, E.T. and anything else featuring creepy little creatures.
Young, misunderstood Kevin has been suspended from school. His parents decide to take him and his older sister camping in a woodland holiday park. When he tires of getting back to nature, he wanders off and finds a dusty old VHS player. Pressing play goes horribly wrong when a creepy creature is released and begins causing mischief in the real world.
Kate Brady’s portrayal of Katie, the phone addicted teen is painfully accurate (trust me, I’d know), while moody tween Kevin (Senan Jennings) is someone that I’d bet everybody has been at one point or another during their life. The relatability of the characters, and how well they are written by Rodney Lee quickly ensured I was very invested in this all-ages escapade as the episodes unfurled.
The striking setting of the lush Irish forest adds a delightfully spooky element to the scary story. The amazing cinematography by Tom Comerford and set design in the eerie camp house are top notch, while Sarah Lynch’s score perfectly depicts the fear in the characters’ hearts.
Subsequent episodes of The Unreal air on RTÉ One on Sunday, 20th October at 5.10pm, Sunday, 27th October at 5.10pm and Bank Holiday Monday, 28th October at 5.15pm.
Max Driver is a young actor and writer who lives in Kilkenny with his family and two miniature poodles. He has been in the arts since a very young age, previously a vocalist, performing in the Kings Theatre and the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City, and is currently studying acting at the Lir Academy in Dublin. A keen cinephile, Max runs a monthly movie review newsletter for friends and family, and is otherwise obsessing over his top four on Letterboxd.
