Teacup Review

I caught the trailer for “Teacup” while watching my favorite cop drama. I wasn’t sure what the series was about, but I was in as soon as I saw James Wan was involved. It's true to Wan’s style, with tense suspense, fresh scares, and a perfect mix of supernatural and psychological horror. It had that M. Night Shyamalan vibe with a vague plot and mysterious storyline, like a mix between “Fallen” and “A Quiet Place.”

The first episode kicks off with a woman in the woods trying to free herself from zip ties. Clearly, she’s been held captive. She’s wild, muttering strange, incoherent words. After she escapes, we’re introduced to the Chenoweth family on their farm in Georgia. Maggie, played by Yvonne Strahovski, and her husband James, played by Scott Speedman, are clearly having marital issues. The big issue? Infidelity. Yep, James cheated, and his wife found out.

The two of them have two kids and are trying to put up a united front to maintain the appearance of a happy home. Strange things begin to happen throughout the day. The animals begin to act weird; the electronics are going haywire, and then the power cuts off. Arlo, the youngest son, portrayed by Caleb Dolden, wanders off into the woods and encounters a creepy woman who looks like she’s been through the wringer. It’s unclear if she infects or possesses him, but something sinister happens.

It’s late in the evening when the family realizes Arlo is missing. They rally the troops to search for him, and eventually, Arlo returns. It's very clear that he’s experienced some sort of trauma. He has minor cuts and bruises, one of which is in the shape of a handprint on his arm. To top it off, he starts speaking in tongues.

At the end of the episode, we see a man in a gas mask marking an area with a blue line. Episode two begins with the father trying to drive for help, but his car won't start. The neighbor discovers his car isn't working either. Then they spot a car in the distance. Scott and his neighbor see the man in the gas mask, who warns them not to cross the blue line. The Chenoweths and their neighbors realize they’re trapped and must figure out how to escape before a mysterious threat kills them.

All those questions get answered as the episodes progress. We find out what happens when you cross the blue line—it's very disturbing and creative. We also learn about entities moving around and possessing people. But who are these entities? I'll let you discover that for yourself, instead of spoiling it as I usually do with other TV shows and movies.

This is one show where you’ll enjoy peeling back the layers on your own. It draws you in right away. I highly recommend it and give this series 4 out of 5 acorns.