Netflix is throwing everything they can at the wall, but what’s so impressive is that a lot of it is sticking.
When we think about content, there’s a certain level of expectations when there are months, let alone years of build and hype. Netflix is doing the opposite, dropping bombs left and right with literally zero awareness. To them, it’s just content, but to everyone else, it’s untainted product.
Such the case with “Santa Clarita Diet”, which was literally announced a few weeks ago. There are no expectations attached, which allows a viewer to go in clean. What is it? A series of sorts. The style? Nobody knew until last week. It’s a 10-episode season that runs a perfect 30-minutes each. A comparable would probably be Showtime’s “Weeds”, which is a comedy of sorts that follows a family that works together to illegally sell drugs. “Santa Clarita Diet” is the same, only with cannibals.
The show follows Sheila (Drew Barrymore) who randomly becomes a cannibal-zombie. Joel (Timothy Olyphant), her super supportive husband, helps her find food and cover it up. Their teenaged daughter Abby (Liv Hewson) finds out and thus begins the family drama.
As a comedy, it’s not all that funny; it’s trying to be quirky and weird, but ultimately it’s just ho-hum. What works, though, is that it offers a light-hearted spirit to the series, and opens the door for extensive suspension of disbelief. “Santa Clarita Diet” is ridiculous, which is probably its most charming and distinguishing characteristic.
The real fun is in the gags that come about one per episode. It begins when Sheila and Joel (they’re realtors) are selling a house, and Sheila vomits all over the room. It’s not a normal vomit, it’s a “Family Guy” extravaganza that plasters every wall and ceiling with pea soup. There are no pulled punches, either, when they go for the gore. “Santa Clarita Diet” is absolutely revolting; Sheila literally devours people, coughs up hairballs, and the escalation of rotting is pretty damn cool.
Circling back to expectations; in knowing absolutely nothing about “Santa Clarita Diet”, I’d say this hits the mark. What Netflix has delivered is a simple, yet charming genre show that’s just good enough for a binge viewing over a weekend. If there’s any warning to heed it’s that genre fans should expect a drama with elements of horror, not the other way around. But give the first episode a bite, and if you like what you’re tasting, finish the meal…