Genre:

Drama, Fantasy, Horror

Release Date:

September 8, 2023

Streaming:

Apple TV+

Cast:

LaKeith Stanfield, Amirah Vann,

Plot Summary:

The Crowded Room, Apple TV series has notoriously been trending on socials for multiple reasons whether it is divided opinions between the critics and the fandom, Tom Holland’s resilience promoting the show and finally, the most recent viral scene that was trending.

Did you know that James Cameron, the mastermind behind Avatar, was originally set to write and direct The Crowded Room? However, it turns out that the screenplay was actually written by Todd Graff (The Abyss). You can easily find the script online, as it’s been plastered all over the internet. Cameron actually acquired the rights to adapt The Minds of Billy Milligan written by Daniel Keyes. The initial story revolves around a serial rapist who has an extreme case of multiple personality disorder, set in the 1970s. Cameron even met with Billy Milligan himself and the two became friends. The talented John Cusack (Say Anything) was set to play the lead role, but unfortunately, the project fell through when Milligan filed a lawsuit and tried to change the storyline. Since then, many people have tried to revive the project, including David Fincher with Leonardo DiCaprio as the main lead.

The Crowded Room [credit: Apple TV+]

In April 2021, Akiva Goldsman, who won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for A Beautiful Mind, announced that he will adapt The Crowded Room as a TV series instead of a film. The show will focus on the complex issue of mental health and how it affects young men who have experienced trauma. Goldsman was drawn to this theme and hopes to explore the impact of trauma on the brain of an adolescent. This was reported in an article by the Hollywood Reporter.

The Apple TV series revolves around Danny Sullivan (Tom Holland) who gets arrested due to his participation in a shooting incident that took place in New York City in 1979. In the series, curious psychologist Rya Goodwin (Amanda Seyfriend) conducts a series of interviews with Danny, which reveal his mysterious past that influenced him and led him to a life-changing realisation.

The Crowded Room’s opening credits are a work of art, with mesmerising colours and drawings that become a part of the story. The cinematography of the first episode is also outstanding. The lighting and set locations are spectacular and leave you in awe. One set location, a barn filled with broken scaffolding, is particularly impressive. The camera work allows the audience to see from a subjective point of view.

Critics and audiences have questioned the pacing of the show, wondering if it should have had fewer episodes or if it dragged on for too long. Some have also discussed whether the storyline should have grabbed the audience’s attention sooner. However, the slow pacing at the start allows viewers to take the time to understand each character presented on screen, which is similar to a great TV series. Although it may seem slow at first, it may ultimately enhance the viewing experience.

Previously, Goldman wrote for the film, which has a different structure compared to TV series. This particular show requires patience from the audience, as they need to pay attention to the timeline of Rya and Danny’s interview. That’s why weekly episodes give the audience time to process and enjoy each episode. Otherwise, watching the entire series in one sitting could be mentally taxing.

The Crowded Room [credit: Apple TV+]

The talented Tom Holland not only played the lead role in the show but also served as an executive producer. He displayed his impressive acting skills by utilising his dialect, body language, and delivery to convey every emotion experienced by his character, Danny. The final episode, which includes the challenging courtroom scene, has now been released. According to Holland, this was the most difficult scene he has ever filmed in his career. In a previous interview, he mentioned that he listened to his friend Stormzy’s song “Mel Made Me Do It” to help him get into character and stay focused mentally.

It is important to recognise not only Holland’s acting skills but also Amanda Seyfried’s notable performance. During that time, women in psychology were often dismissed, but Seyfried’s portrayal of a caring and compassionate psychologist truly embodies the essence of the profession – to genuinely care for others.

The series displays a deep understanding of the complexity of each mental health illness, and this is not solely due to the excellent acting performances, but also the editing work of the crew. The transitions of the stunt work and the emotional aspects of the plot provide a layer of empathy that Goldman aimed to achieve.

For those who have not started the series, there may be confusion about whether to bother. The final episodes of The Crowded Room have left the audience, including myself, emotionally enthralled, staring into the abyss each time. With the series coming to an end, Holland’s best performance to date stands out, given the toughest script that physically and mentally drained the actor.

The entire cast and crew deserve appreciation for coming together to bring forth this storytelling with compassion and empathy. The show does an excellent job of focusing not only on one character’s mental health but also on multiple characters and how they handle their mental health.

Have you checked out The Crowded Room? If so leave a comment below on what you thought about the series!

Genre:

Biography, Thriller

Release Date:

March 31, 2023

Director:

Jon S. Baird

Cast:

Taron Egerton, Toby Jones, Sofya Lebedeva

Plot Summary: