The locale was beautiful and the cast was good. The lighting was used to good effect - the red and the green lights, were used well to direct attention. I also liked the use of the rapidly flipping pages of the book to separate the "previously on" scenes - it was a unique and different effect

I found this to be more of a comedy than a scare. I guess if the characters were making good, logical decisions then there wouldn't be so much to fear, but it still annoys me. I'm not very fond of the overly dark scenes either because I'm old and don't see as well as I used to or perhaps the new TVs make those scenes look better? It was worth the time to watch it, at least this time around, but I don't think I'd be interested in a second season.

It got scary moments, but I still can't take it seriously. It feels more like a comedy, even though it's not a comedy. Sadly, interracial agenda is also present here. This is another European TV show I tried (after "Dark"), but it disappointed me.

Summary:

An ancient witch haunts a young woman who became famous from writing books based on her nightmares. The young author, Emma, must not only fight for her own life, but the lives of those closest to her when she returns to her hometown. Poor Emma constantly tries to make up for her mistakes she made as a teenager, but only seems to make things worse while Marianne turns her life upside down.

Personal opinion:

This truly terrifying show is on the same level as The Haunting of Hill House. The plot thickens with each haunting episode, making it a binge worthy series. Not many shows now-a-days can pull off the nightmare induced scares this show offers.
The flashes of both the past and present are very well placed to add fear and a great build up. This is a must watch, with all the lights on.

Pretty good horror flick. Horror more in the creepy sense for the most part. The topic has been done before, the relationship between the author and her creation, but it's an interesting take on it.

The main protagonist is an annoying bitch though, so you got to get over that urge to slap her most of the times. There is _kinda_ a reason to that but yeah, no, that still doesn't fit.

The concept of the evil they're dealing with is great, with a backstory, and a modern story through Emma's books. Marianne inspires Emma that then turns her into reality. Her _rules_ seems to come more from Emma's story than from her origin, but they also probably have been inspired directly by Marianne, so she may have set them herself ? It's an interesting variation of the power of the name, she can possess people, but can't lie if asked about her own name.

Most of the others characters are pretty bland, not sure if it comes from the character themselves or the acting.

However, the first possessed lady is A-MA-ZING ! Such creepiness, while still dealing with the ambiguity, not knowing if she's really possessed, or just creepy crazy. That is one of the best horror character I have seen in quite a while. The show is worth viewing just for that.

The cop is the other great character. A little clumsy, very endearing, trying to do his best, even while dealing with unknown forces, also acting as comic relief.

The rest is a little too amateurish. There are some major plot holes. Several times people disappear and, well, it is just ignored. Not clear where the skin for all those little bags comes from. The unwillingness to believe in the existence of such things in the beginning is basic in this genre, however it makes no sense when [spoiler]later flashbacks show that they have already been exposed to it before. Basically the flashbacks, seen in this order for the viewer, bring answers to the narration. However, from the characters point of view, it renders their initial behavior completely incoherent with what they already knew[/spoiler]. Can't say the death scenes are really impressive either.

Anyway it's pretty short and one can overlook these little problems as the ambient mood of the whole thing is pretty good.

Final twist is seen from a mile away, but ok, it leaves some open doors.