It’s a kid a show, right?
That question could be all the assurance one needs to not watch the new Netflix original series “The Hollow,” but then you would be missing out on a crime series almost as great and timeless as “Scooby-Doo.”
“The Hollow” offers a slightly higher-brow suspenseful mystery kids show perfect for a quick watch in your freetime. When Netflix released the show on June 8, 2018, the company listed it under Y-7 for children. As seen with other popular shows like “Naruto” or “Pokemon,” TV rating doesn’t necessarily equal to how interesting or engaging the content may be for people.
Despite being geared towards children, “The Hollow” is an animated mystery drama that finds three teens mysteriously placed in a new realm without any knowledge of their past or how they got there.
The three teens are forced to come together to try and find a way home, wherever home is for them. Throughout the series they encounter magic portals, fantasy creatures and beasts as well as life-threatening challenges that they must complete to make it to the end.
What makes the show so much more than a simple children’s program is the fact that it explores some more complex topics and ideas as the main characters are trying to better understand and survive this world and why they are there in the first place.
For example when the teens first wake up in this world, they discuss being kidnapped and drugged due to their lack of memory. As the story progresses they further talk about the idea of parallel universes and world construction.
The most interesting plot twist of the series comes about midway through when the main cast learns they aren’t the only teens in this world. Speculation, then turns to manipulation and questions of them being in a competitive game that is beginning to self-destruct.
While the answers to these questions are given in the final three minutes of the last episode of the series, it is a bit of a reach for children under the age of seven to understand the progression of this show.
Overall, this show gives me a 2010 “Scooby-Doo! Mystery, Inc.” reboot vibe. When Scooby-Doo came back to television screens after its hiatus, while it was still geared towards children on Cartoon Network, it was quite obvious to longtime fans that the character dialogue and story progression had been slightly elevated.
Although there are comedic moments that may make a more advanced audience roll their eyes, most of the show’s progression is mature enough for animated show lovers well over the age of seven to watch.
Without giving away spoilers, all of the questions of the series were wrapped up in the final episode with no cliffhangers. Without any plot holes or reasoning for continuation, it’s hard to say if the show needs or will get another season after this one.
Due to the fact that the show has only been released for five days, further audience reception will have to be gauged to see if anything else will come from the show.
