Alex Garland has already delivered great atmospheric stories with “Ex Machina” or “Extinction”. However, his sci-fi series “Devs”, which is about a secret research project, is far too unknown. It’s about time this changed.
Before I tell you why you should watch “Devs”, the hint where you can stream the sci-fi series: The eight-part miniseries is available on Disney+’s subscription service. Since we should refrain from spoilers with this insider tip, don’t be surprised: Some of the following text is a bit cryptic!
THIS IS WHAT “DEVS” IS ABOUT:
Sergei (Karl Glusman) and Lily (Sonoya Mizuno) are a couple working at the powerful high-tech corporation Amaya in Silicon Valley. After Sergei is promoted and recruited for the ultra-secret Devs research project, he is part of humanity’s greatest technological discovery. The day after, the world is suddenly a different place: Sergei has been found dead, leaving behind plenty of unanswered questions.
The distraught Lily, who wants to know what happened, then investigates on her own and shortly afterwards comes across CEO and arguably the most powerful person in the world Forest (Nick Offerman). With no one talking about the top-secret project, she feels compelled to dig further to shed light on the matter.
Compared to acclaimed series like “Westworld”, “Stranger Things” or most recently “1899”, which have received a lot of hype, “Devs” continues to be swept under the carpet. Yet Garland’s series has the best prerequisites to arouse curiosity. On the one hand because of the great cast with “House Of The Dragon” actress Sonoya Mizuno up to Stephen Henderson (“Dune”), on the other hand because of the mysterious story. Since the series is rather unknown in Germany, it should become known to more people.
Because “Devs” does not devote itself to a typical sci-fi theme like time travel or virtual simulations à la “Matrix” (the current Netflix hit “1899” sends its regards) per se, but delivers an original story that has never been seen before. Devs” can definitely keep up with newer mystery productions, both from an aesthetic point of view and beyond. There is also plenty to think about and philosophise about here.
