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I try out a lot of stuff on streaming services. Most stuff never gets past the 15 minute mark for one reason or another, and some get a second chance just in case I wasn’t in the mood the first time I tried it, but some are winners from the get-go.
SPELLBOUND was one of those. It’s streaming on Netflix. When I was poking around about it in preparation for writing this review, I read a super-bad lambasting of it, which took it to task for things I loved about it. I loved it because it didn’t waste time on “how did we get to this crisis”: The crisis was already upon us. I HATED the animated movie UP because it took so long to get to how the grumpy old man got old and grumpy. I’ve known a million grumpy old men (slight exaggeration) so I really don’t need to know how this one got that way. He’s old, so we know he probably has good reason to be a grouch.
Likewise, I’ve read a million fairy tales/fantasies (probably not an exaggeration), so I don’t NEED to know how the crisis came upon us. If I need to know, I trust the story to tell me when I need it. If I don’t trust the story, I don’t watch it to begin with.
I mean, you know me, I like a long lead-in and, in a way, this one had a long-ish one. It’s just that the story isn’t about the crisis, it’s about how the crisis is going to be dealt with, and the short-term/long-term options got just enough play.
What I liked best about SPELLBOUND is that there aren’t any bad guys or good guys, just people. All the people want, ultimately, the same thing: a country ruled well by someone the people love and rightfully trust. The conflict comes from well-intended people with contending opinions on how to achieve that end.
The problem that precipitated the crisis isn’t “solved”, but it’s dealt with appropriately in a very realistic fantasy way. I’ll be watching it again.
My nails this week are kind of fancy and kind of plain. I did a gradient of three purples and I liked it so much I only stamped one nail.
If you think my cuticles need a clean-up, you should see my house.
A WRITING PROMPT FROM ME TO YOU: Purple and spooky
MA
Daniel Antion
October 7, 2025 at 6:07amI love a good backstory, when I’m reading, but less so when I’m watching. I can put a book down and pick it back up later. Even with streaming, I feel like it needs to hold my attention (not easy) from the get go. Cool nails.
Marian Allen
October 7, 2025 at 9:08amBackstory depends on my mood and on the kind of show I’m watching. Sometimes I want to be thrown into it and give me the backstory in references and flashbacks. Sometimes I want the story to unfold gently, cementing my relationship with the characters before the organic matter hits the fan.