Criticism | Review of The Witches of Mayfair, by Anne Rice

The reviews of David Perez “Davicine”:
The Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice

Starring Alexandra Daddario, The Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice is the second production of AMC+ from the Immortal Universe of Anne Ricefollowing the premiere of Interview with the Vampire by Anne Ricewhich premiered exclusively on the streaming service on January 12, 2023.

The series is executive produced by the Oscar and Emmy winner mark johnson (breaking bad, Better Call Saul), the showrunner This Spalding (Masters of Sex) and the screenwriter Michelle Ashford (John Adams), and the address of michael uppendahl and jeff freilich. They complete the deal Jack Huston, Harry Hamlin, Hannah Alline and Annabeth Gish. original series of AMC+ The Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice It opens in Spain on February 23, 2023.

Anne Rice is quite an expert in the supernatural

We have already learned in many series and movies (to focus on what is in question here, which is also a topic developed in multiple books), that not everyone can have the gift of witchcraft, since it is a gift that is inherited from family. But belonging to a family of witches does not guarantee anything, and not all of them will have the opportunity to live a life with supernatural powers, only the chosen ones will inherit the gift, having to bear what it means to belong to a family of witches.

Everyone knows that something key in these supernatural families is the connection of all its members, making the death of one of the family strengthen the rest. Already approaching the universe of Anne Ricean expert in vampires and witches, it seems from her books, for a witch to be able to enjoy her powers, they will have to be granted by a spirit, a being considered by witches as a protector, a divine figure and the image of death .

The Mayfair Witchesbased on the best-selling trilogy of Anne Riceis an eight-episode series that centers on Rowan Mayfair, a young and intuitive neurosurgeon (daddario) who discovers that she is the heiress of a family of witches. As she deals with her newfound powers, she must contend with a sinister presence that has haunted her family for generations.

Alexandra Daddario has nothing to prove

Initially chosen clearly for her beauty and physique, Alexandra Daddario He no longer has to prove anything, as he made it clear in the first season of The White Lotus that she could play a complex character capable of manipulating herself so as not to see reality, and again she puts her talent to the test in a series where she is the absolute leading lady.

daddario as Rowan Mayfair plays a doctor with a challenging personal life, who gradually suspects she has special abilities, and must race against the clock to understand what it means to be a Mayfair family woman, even as time flies by. slowly. The actress shows that she can carry the responsibility of making the series interesting on her shoulders, making the character completely her own, someone with whom we can empathize and want to know more about her life thanks to being a very complete character.

Throughout his investigation of who he really is, we get to know different characters that complement the main character, expanding the story and giving a lot of play to make this creative universe of Ricealthough individually each secondary has little development, since the main plot of The Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice it doesn’t give enough opportunities to get to know them beyond the clichés they want to reflect.

Only a couple of secondary characters deserve special attention. On the one hand, Beth Grant like Carlotta Mayfair, she is the one who manages to have a more complex character and the one we know the most about, the matriarch that we will surely love to hate, being a great actress who has been given a character at the height of her career. On the other hand, Annabelle Gish as Deirdre Mayfair is captivating thanks to a tragic story that without excessive screen time manages to attract attention and that we understand the feelings and motivations of this character.

far from concise

A trilogy goes a long way, but it seems that we live in the era of trying to extend everything to make profitable a weekly series that lasts as long as possible, so we have many subplots that do nothing just to extend the duration of the series, although It’s partly the fault of the writing itself. Anna Ricewhich was not particularly known for being very concise.

As was the case with the previous adaptation of Anna Rice for television, interview with the vampire, The Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice it seeks to present its plot slowly, but without using a necessary resource as in the predecessor series in which it was logical that the information was given to us little by little, not being something intentional here but rather a narrative problem. Without having been able to see the entire season on the date of publication of this review, there is still hope for the second part of the season to raise its level, speed up the pace, and fulfill what the series promised at the beginning, but only the outcome will reveal to us if the hopes for this series come true.

Just as we imagined

Visually within the universe of Rice, the series is close to the idea that we could have in our minds reading the original novels, demonstrating an extensive effort to achieve an exquisite staging with sets and costumes that look old-fashioned as well as luxurious. At all times it gives us the feeling of being in a gothic world where magic is possible, with a darkness that leads us towards terror but without quite reaching that genre, although bordering on the mystery that should plague this story of witchcraft for generations. .

Along with the characterization and decoration, what really amplifies the magical sensation of the series is the sound design and the wonderful score, managing to improve even the most tedious and slow scenes that we sometimes have on screen, filling the lives of magic with magic. our protagonist.

The Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice is a series that takes place over low heat in a marvelous modern gothic setting, transferring to our screens the rich universe of Rice.

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List of episodes of ‘The Witches of Mayfair, by Anne Rice‘

The Serie The Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice It is made up of 8 episodes of between 40-52 minutes each, complemented by a special behind-the-scenes episode.

Episode 1. The Witching Hour

Neurosurgeon Rowan Fielding has a problem: when she gets angry, she kills with her mind. Her search for answers leads her to her secret biological family. In New Orleans, Deirdre Mayfair is desperate to escape her aunt’s oppressive home.

Episode 2. The Dark Place

Wracked by the grief of Ellie’s death, Rowan is out of control, unable to perform surgeries. Her paranoia that someone is following her turns out to be true. In NOLA, Deirdre and her mysterious partner Lasher work together to lure Rowan home.

Episode 3. Second Line

Following Deirdre’s grisly death, Rowan seeks safety in a strange city. Sip provides her with a haven while she investigates Deirdre’s murder. Lasher makes contact with Rowan, but not in the way one might expect.

Episode 4. Curiouser and Curiouser

At Deirdre’s funeral, Rowan is plunged into the world of the infamous Mayfair family. Uncle Cortland and Aunt Carlotta have divergent opinions about Lasher. Rowan must choose who to trust and face dire consequences. Sip identifies Deirdre’s killer.

Episode 5. The Thrall

Trapped in the First Street House, Rowan and Sip must face its many mysteries in order to escape. Rowan is faced with an inconceivable offer. Odette, Sip’s sister, makes a horrible discovery.

Episode 6. Transference

Desperate to get rid of Lasher, Rowan turns to her extended Mayfair family for help. She must rely on her unique method, a sacred ritual. Sip’s search for answers leads him back to the Talamasca.

Episode 7. Tessa

Rowan makes a shocking discovery, but has to deal with it alone. A tragic event brings her closer to the Mayfairs and Lasher. Sip falls deeper down the key necklace rabbit hole.

Episode 8. What Rough Beast

Rowan inadvertently discovers his role in a prophecy that has sustained the Mayfair family for generations. Sip’s investigation reaches its conclusion, uncovering secrets that could cloud both Rowan’s family and his role in the Talamasca.

Episode 9. Inside Mayfair Witches

Discover the fascinating world of the series in this look behind the scenes. With Alexandra Daddario, Jack Huston and more, the cast and crew discuss what it took to bring the supernatural world of Anne Rice to the screen. Presented by Annabeth Gish.

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