The Terror: Devil In Silver, a new six-part horror serial starring Dan Stevens, has received a lukewarm reception from some critics. Christopher Stevens of the Daily Mail awarded the series two stars, describing it as "dull, tasteless nonsense" and questioning Stevens' decision to leave the popular drama Downton Abbey for such roles.
The series is presented as part of an "anthology," meaning it shares a title with a previous successful show but features a different cast and setting. While the first season of The Terror was based on a true historical event, this installment is adapted from a novel by screenwriter Victor LaValle. It is set in the present day with flashbacks to the post-war era, a time when mental illness was treated with procedures like lobotomies.
Stevens portrays Pepper, a New York refuse collector with a volatile temper who finds himself confined in an old-fashioned mental asylum. The setting and some plot elements draw comparisons to films like "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest." A scene described involves patients attending a group therapy session where a doctor reads from Moby Dick, a segment that reportedly leads to a sudden, violent interruption.
The narrative suggests that the New Hyde hospital depicted traps not only its patients but also the staff. According to the review, the show aims to tap into societal fears surrounding mental illness, though the reviewer criticizes its approach as wallowing in these fears rather than offering a nuanced exposé.
The review also notes darkly humorous moments, such as a medic using a lobotomy hammer to break ice for a drink. The cast includes Marin Ireland, Philip Ettinger, and Michael Aronov, alongside Stevens. The actor credited only as 'b' plays an inmate named Loochie.
Dan Stevens, who gained fame as Cousin Matthew in Downton Abbey, left the series in 2012. His subsequent career has included roles in American productions, with this latest venture drawing scrutiny regarding his career trajectory.