If you are a fan of the PlayStation game series Twisted Metal, you might be curious about the new TV adaptation that premiered on Peacock on July 27, 2023. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about Twisted Metal.
Based on the game of the same name, the show is a half-hour live-action, action comedy that follows a motor-mouthed outsider who must deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland while being chased by marauders in deadly and destructive vehicles.
The show stars Anthony Mackie as John Doe, Stephanie Beatriz as Quiet, Samoa Joe as Sweet Tooth, Will Arnett as the voice of Sweet Tooth, and Thomas Haden Church as Agent Stone.
Twisted Metal does not follow the original PlayStation game very faithfully, but is inspired by its characters, vibe and theme. It is based on an original take on the series by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick and is written by Michael Jonathan Smith.
1. Is the Twisted Metal show based on the game?
The series Twisted Metal is inspired by the game of the same name. But it does not follow the game faithfully. It rather takes inspiration from its characters, vehicles and setting.
The show is based on an original take by the writers of Deadpool and Zombieland, who wanted to create a high-octane action comedy with a motor-mouthed hero and a rash sidekick. The show also adds new elements such as a post-apocalyptic world after a cyber-attack, a mysterious package that John Doe must deliver, and flashbacks to the characters’ pasts.
Some fans of the game might be disappointed since the show does not follow the source material closely, especially in terms of the tone, humor and violence. It is inspired by the Twisted Metal game, not an adaptation of it.
The show changes many aspects of the game, such as the setting, the backstory, the motivation, and the personality of the characters. For example, John Doe is not a character from the game, but an original creation for the show. Sweet Tooth is not a clown in the game, but a man with a flaming head who drives an ice cream truck.
Agent Stone is not a lawman in the game, but a mercenary who drives an SUV. The show also ignores many other characters and vehicles from the game that fans might recognize or expect to see.
Ultimately, whether the Twisted Metal series follows the original game or not depends on your perspective and expectations. If you’re a fan of the original series, I suggest you give this series a chance without expecting it to be just a live-action version of the game.
If you’re new to this and haven’t followed the original game closely, then you can give this show a fair chance without having any previous expectations. Either way, there’s a chance of you enjoying the series.
2. The Positives: What Works for Twisted Metal
The series has a charismatic cast led by Anthony Mackie, who plays John Doe, a talkative milkman with amnesia who longs for a better life. Mackie brings his charm and energy to the role, making John a likable and relatable hero.
Stephanie Beatriz of Brooklyn Nine Nine fame co-stars as Quiet, a car thief who joins John on his mission and becomes his partner in crime. The series also features Thomas Haden Church as Agent Stone, a ruthless lawman who pursues John and Quiet.
It also stars Will Arnett as the voice of Sweet Tooth, a deranged clown who drives an ice cream truck, and Samoa Joe as Sweet Tooth’s physical counterpart. The supporting cast is full of colorful and quirky characters who add to the show’s fun atmosphere.
The series also has a great soundtrack that features songs from the ’90s and early 2000s, such as Thong Song by Sisqo, Barbie Girl by Aqua, Insane in the Brain by Cypress Hill, and Party Hard by Andrew W.K.
The songs fit the show’s tone and mood, as well as provide some nostalgia and humor for the viewers. The songs also contrast with the bleakness of the post-apocalyptic world, creating a sense of irony and absurdity.
The series also has impressive visuals that showcase the post-apocalyptic world and the vehicles of destruction. The show uses practical effects and stunts to create realistic and thrilling action scenes, such as car chases, explosions, crashes, and fights.
The show also uses CGI to enhance some of the vehicles and locations, such as Sweet Tooth’s ice cream truck that transforms into a giant robot, or New San Francisco’s futuristic skyline. The show has a distinct aesthetic that blends Mad Max-style wasteland with cyberpunk-style cities.
3. The Negatives: What Does Not Work for Twisted Metal
The series has a weak plot that relies on clichés and contrivances to move forward. The show’s premise is based on John Doe delivering a mysterious package across the wasteland for Raven, the leader of New San Francisco, who promises him citizenship in exchange.
However, the show never explains what the package is, why it’s so important, or how it relates to John’s past or future. The show also introduces many subplots and flashbacks that don’t add much to the main story or the characters’ development. The show’s ending is also unsatisfying and leaves many questions unanswered.
The series has a juvenile tone that tries too hard to be funny and edgy. The show’s humor is based on crude jokes, vulgar language, pop culture references, and fourth wall breaks that often fall flat or feel forced.
The show’s violence is also excessive and gratuitous, featuring gore, bloodshed, torture, and mutilation that are meant to shock or amuse the viewers. The show’s tone is inconsistent and uneven, shifting from dark comedy to drama to horror without much coherence or logic.
The series has a poor adaptation that does not respect or honor the source material. The show does not follow the game’s story or characters very closely, but rather uses them as loose inspiration for its own version.
4. Is Twisted Metal worth watching?
Twisted Metal is a series that might be worth watching if you are looking for a mindless and silly action comedy that does not take itself too seriously.
However, if you are looking for a faithful and respectful adaptation of the game, or a smart and engaging post-apocalyptic story, you might want to skip it.
The series has some good elements, such as the cast, the music, and the visuals, but they are overshadowed by the bad elements, such as the plot, the tone, and the adaptation.
The series is a scrappy, blood-soaked blast for some, but a clunky, unbearable car wreck for others.
5. About Twisted Metal
Twisted Metal is an American post-apocalyptic action comedy television series developed by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick and Michael Jonathan Smith.
Based on the vehicular combat video game franchise of the same name published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, the series stars Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, Samoa Joe, Will Arnett and Thomas Haden Church. The half-hour series is about a driver who takes a job to deliver a package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland while being chased by marauders.
Development by Sony Pictures Television and PlayStation Productions began in May 2019 with a full season being ordered by Peacock in February 2022. Filmed in New Orleans from May to August 2022, the series was released on Peacock on July 27, 2023, with all 10 episodes.
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